January Newsletter

In today’s newsletter:

  • January Chapter Meeting

  • Chapter Elections

  • Free in Person Event TOMORROW

  • Online Action

  • Join a Committee

  • Share Your Climate Story

  • Linktree

Welcome to 2026. We hope you enjoyed some beautiful and restorative time with friends and family over the holidays, with celebrations of what is working and reflection on what we want to change. 

We at Climate Reality Portland continue to strive to uphold our pillars of a just transition to clean energy, climate justice and public health, building green communities, zero-carbon transportation, and protecting democracy. We aim to strengthen our community with all of you, and in allyship with other organizations whose values intersect with ours.

January Chapter MeetingTopic: Polluters Pay Climate Superfund

Join us at 7 pm Tuesday January 20 on zoom for our first Chapter meeting of 2026. We’ll hear from Alan Journet, Climate Reality leader and co-founder of Southern Oregon Climate Action Now, and Catherine Thomasson, physician and steering committee member for MCAT, about the Oregon Polluters Pay Climate Superfund bill and what passing it would mean for communities. There’s a chance the bill’s sponsor, Senator Golden, will stop by our zoom and answer questions as well. 

16 states including Oregon have Polluters Pay bills introduced, and bills have already been passed in New York and Vermont. The legal framework for the bill is decades old Superfund law, and the purpose of funds is resiliency and repair from climate impacts. Click through to learn more.

The fate of the Oregon bill will be decided during Oregon’s 2026 legislative session, Feb. 2 through March 9. We hope you will join us and take action on this bill!

Register here. 

Upcoming Chapter elections– postponed 

Have you been with the Chapter for a while and wonder how to get more involved? Would you like to help organize events and presentations, or connect with other chapter members and new folks who care about our climate? We Need You! 

I know there are a hundred new things a day that demand our action, and life is more complicated than ever. But if you are reading this, you care about Climate Reality. An hour a week (or even less) can make a huge difference. 

We’re a collaborative group! 

Open positions include: Chair and co-chair, Events, Outreach, Communications. 

If you are interested but can only commit to a portion of a role, still apply and we’ll work it out! Please look at the variety of roles and join our leadership team! 

Contact Helena at [email protected] to nominate yourself, or with questions! 

We will have elections once we have nominations!

Free In Person Event tomorrow!

Rumble On The River Community Forum #28

 WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH DATA CENTERS?

  • Wednesday, January 7th

  • Havurah Shalom   825 NW 18th   Portland

  • Doors and Info Tables at 5:30 p.m.    Panel at 6:30 p.m.

 This Rumble is a collaboration with Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board and 350PDX.

 Panel:

  • Sarah Wochele, Equity Analyst & Advocate with Oregon Citizens' Utility Board 

  • Nellie McAdams, Executive Director of Oregon Agricultural Trust

  • Kelly Campbell, Policy Director with Columbia Riverkeeper 

  • Kaleb Lay, Director of Research & Policy with Oregon Rural Action 

  • Dr. Ana Carolina de Assis Nunes, Post-Doctoral Fellow at Data & Society Research Institute

Data centers have popped up across the region, threatening farmland and habitat. Enticed by abundant water and energy and tax breaks from cash strapped local communities, high tech companies have made the Pacific Northwest their mark. At this Rumble, we’ll hear about the conflict between the spread of data centers and the protection of farms and forestland. 

 Getting To Rumble #28

Bikes Welcome.

Car Parking: After 5:00PM, free parking in the lot @ 1919 NW Lovejoy–NOTE: spots 1-10 are reserved. Also metered parking spots. On street parking is free after 7 PM.

Public transportation: Havurah Shalom is located along a few bus lines, and north of the MAX.

Bus Lines: 24, 77, 15, 20, & 63. Lines 24 & 77 run near the site. Lines 15, 20 & 63 run just south with an estimated 13 minute walk from the Burnside & 18th bus stop. 

Max lines: Red, Blue. A 13 minute walk from Providence Park stops. 

Streetcar: NS. A 2 minute walk from the NW 18th & Lovejoy stop. The NS line can be reached with the A & B Loops

ADA-Accessibility Limitations: None

Online Action

Mondays at 5 pm online: Climate Changemakers Hour of Action. Gather with a group to take action together on a pre-planned topic. No previous experience needed

Climate Changemakers is part of Climate Reality Project. 

Join a Committee

Join the Climate Friendly Foods Committee: Email Lynne at [email protected] 

Join the Legislative Committee:   Email Amanda and Helena at [email protected]

Join the Education Committee:   Email Lynn at [email protected]

So many of us are working with multiple groups in different neighborhoods! If you’d like to share what you’re doing for climate action and climate justice, we’d love to highlight it in an upcoming newsletter! Email to [email protected] for inclusion.

Our Linktree!

Have limited time but want to keep up with quick actions and events in between newsletters? Bookmark our Linktree page: https://linktr.ee/climaterealitypdx