September Newsletter

August Recep

We hope August provided you some rest, recuperation, and time to enjoy the beauty of our world. 

Our hearts go out to anyone affected by the Flat Fire and other fires around Oregon. Here’s what we know about how to get support if you’re impacted and how to help out if you can.

Chapter leadership met in late August to organize and ramp up for September events including last Thursday’s tabling, Sun Day and our upcoming September 21 in-person chapter meeting. 

We also updated our Linktree so that items are grouped in sections: Actions, Events, News & Resources… Online actions you can take are updated at the top.

We were proud to participate in the 17th annual Volunteer Expo this year at Pioneer Courthouse Square on September 4. Thanks to The Standard for hosting.  It was wonderful to talk to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more about our chapter and discuss creative ways to get involved in  climate action+justice! Check out standard.com/volunteer for other year-round opportunities to volunteer. 

Sun Day Volunteers Needed

Sun Day leads are still looking for 26 more volunteers including for the following activities: Set Up (9 - 11:30 am), Check-in (10 - noon), Parade Marshals (12:45 - 2 pm), Clean Up (5 - 7 pm) and more!  

Will you volunteer? Please complete the registration form indicating the categories for which you are interested in volunteering. (Fill out the first page and click “next” for the rest of the form with volunteer options.) An email with your assignments will be sent to you by September 18th.

Questions? Email [email protected]

Take action

This month, we’re highlighting how to take online action and learn more by clicking on our Linktree! Click on https://linktr.ee/climaterealitypdx for easy links to letter writing on important topics, as well as a list of events and other resources. Current action items include telling the EPA to not deny the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions, telling Big Tech to push for clean energy, and stopping fossil fuel lobbyists from joining COP 30 (the 30th United Nations climate change conference) delegations. Bookmark the Linktree page for future use!

Committee News

The Climate Friendly Foods Committee, along with other Climate Reality Portland members, participated in a call with Friends of the Earth (FOE) to learn about their Climate-Friendly School Food program in California and FOE’s interest in bringing the program to other states, including Oregon.  And, for a fun and informative podcast on Oregon’s recently launched Recycling Modernization Act, listen to “Why Portland’s Recycling Rules are So Weird (and What’s Changing).”

The Legislative Committee continues to focus on the Oregon state level. We regrouped at the end of August to review 2025 successes, challenges, and what’s yet to be accomplished. On Labor Day weekend we responded to an unexpected Oregon Transportation Funding public hearing by commenting in Salem, virtually, and/or in writing for the importance of climate-forward transportation funding, including public and active transportation and incentivizing rather than penalizing electric vehicles. There is so much pushing us backwards on climate and climate justice right now, but we have to keep painting the picture of where we want to go.
Let’s continue to work on building broader coalitions to communicate and convince Oregon to pass and implement good climate policy. Join us for our Sep. 24 meeting. 

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- October Chapter Meeting 

Plan ahead for Wednesday, October 15:  At our 7 pm zoom chapter meeting, Chad Higgins, associate professor of biological and ecological engineering at Oregon State University, will present on his leading research in Agrivoltaics.  Combining food production with solar energy generation can improve farm yields, reduce water use and increase energy generation.  In a 2023 article, Chad estimated that "converting just 1% of American farmland to agrivoltaics could meet the nation’s renewable energy targets. Making this transition could create new revenue opportunities for family farms facing steep economic challenges."  Chad is using grants from from the Roundhouse Foundation, Oregon Clean Power Cooperative, and Portland General Electric to research solar arrays specifically designed to work with growing crops and grazing animals.  Climate Reality PDX is excited to hear the results of Chad's research, and his recent work in Africa.

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.