October Newsletter

September Recap/ What We Have Been Up To

September was a whirlwind working to generate more energy and positive momentum for climate action and climate justice.

Sun Day was the big event, where Climate Reality Portland members tabled, helped lead the march, and networked with other groups. “The New York Times took note of the event in Portland, stating it was likely the biggest Sun Day event of the day, “a large festival including 25 vendors, a parade across a local bridge, Indigenous dance performers, and a menagerie of giant papier-mâché animal puppets to float above the crowd.”” A big thank you to Bill McKibben and Third Act for spearheading this international day of action!!!

As a chapter, we also contributed to and joined comments on Oregon Energy Strategy, made public comment to the US EPA opposing repealing the Endangerment finding, and contacted each of the four US Congresspeople representing members of our chapter to ask them to lead on protecting states’ right to regulate pesticides for public health and safety. We are also encouraging people to take part in Climate Changemakers – now part of The Climate Reality Project – Use it or Lose it Campaign to help yourselves and others make use of the IRA heat pump, efficiency, and solar rebates before they are cut off at the end of this year. You can also find an electrification coach at Electrify Oregon. 

Many members also used their first amendment rights to participate in actions to protect our democracy.

Take action

• The AfroFuturism Oasis: Empowering Our Futures ✨2 pm this Friday Oct. 10✨151 SW 1st Avenue Portland, OR 97204

  Part of Sustainable Buildings Week, co-hosted by ZERO JEDI Committee + AfroVillage PDX. This isn’t just another event, it’s about reimagining community, equity, and sustainability through the lens of AfroFuturism 🌍💡 and directly fueling the work of AfroVillage PDX. 🎟️ Tickets start at FREE — or choose a paid ticket and 100% of proceeds go straight to AfroVillage to power their groundbreaking vision. 👉 Claim your spot, bring a friend, and step into a future built on justice, resilience, and imagination.

• Protect Our Community: Comment today re CEI Hub 

  The CEI Hub holds 90% of Oregon’s liquid fuel in an earthquake zone. It's a disaster waiting to happen and we need your voice to help protect our health, safety, and environment. We agree with Breach Collective and Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility: Of the alternatives proposed by the city, only alternative 4 begins to address the risk. “4 is the floor.” 

  Public comment is open until October 17. Take Action Now with this personalizable Action Network Letter.

• No Kings Day

  Join us to at noon on October 18 at Battleship Oregon Memorial in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, or in one of the many other rallies and marches scheduled around Oregon. Find your local event here. 

• Protecting democracy is one of Climate Reality Projects pillars and essential to climate action and climate justice. Climate Reality Project Portland Chapter is a non-partisan organization and supporting this event because it is an explicitly nonviolent call to use our 1st amendment rights to free speech and call to protect our democracy

Committee News

The Legislative Committee connected with other organizations and new members to discuss the upcoming 2026 Oregon legislative session. Looks like Sun Day events and advocacy have had a positive impact– solar streamlining plans are in the works, and a legislator from Eugene is planning to introduce a balcony solar bill this year! Join us for our October 22 meeting. 

The Climate Friendly Foods Committee and the Education Committee are gathering information and volunteers for future events.

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]

Save the Date- November Chapter Meeting 

November 17, at 7 pm on zoom: Guest speaker Marine biologist and Climate Reality leader Bill Gorham

Our oceans have absorbed the bulk of the heat trapped in the past 150 years and much of the CO2, and it’s fortunate that they have otherwise our planet would be uninhabitable. Bill Gorham will discuss the physical, chemical, and biological changes that we have already seen and are projected to increase in the absence of action on climate. Many effects are interrelated and several tipping points are close to being or have been exceeded, possibly irrevocably.

Bill received his PhD in Marine Biology in 1984, taught college level biology for nearly a decade, then moved into environmental consulting until he retired in 2017 and moved to Brookings. He’s restored coral reefs, led field programs for both marine and terrestrial projects, managed environmental permit applications for many proposed projects including large terrestrial and marine-related energy projects. Since retiring, Bill has focused much of his time on educating people on the climate crisis and empowering them to take personal and collective action. He became a Climate Reality Leader in Atlanta, 2019, and is active locally, nationally, and globally in this effort to pass a habitable planet onto future generations.

Share Your Climate Story or Event

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