August 2022 Newsletter
Hello Friends,
After more than three decades of failure by the federal government to take action on climate change, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed by the House yesterday. There is broad agreement that the measure will result in critical emissions reductions; and also, that they are not sufficient to put the United States on a path to doing its part to avoid catastrophic climate change. It also shells out reprehensible gifts to fossil fuel corporations that will harm all of us, but vulnerable communities the most. While this bill is a big step forward and we are grateful for it, it won’t put Families for Climate out of work yet (sadly!). There are still thousands of miles of bike infrastructure to build, gas appliances to swap out, new behaviors to model for our kids, and plenty of room to grow climate justice for all.
Many people who describe themselves as climate alarmed or climate concerned struggle with the question of how impactful it is to try and reduce their personal emissions footprint, or whether they should prioritize collective political work. We thought this recent article in The New Republic put this seemingly eternal dilemma into useful perspective: individual actions are not sufficient, but they are important — as nodes of beneficial social contagion. With strategic tweaks over time we should do what we can to bring our family life into alignment with our climate values — without feeling bad about the things beyond our power to change — and speak up to share the barriers and benefits we discover along the way.
And when it comes to being involved in climate politics in the wake of the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, it is as or more important than ever for state and local advocates to keep pushing hard for policies that cut carbon pollution as far and fast as possible. The authors of the influential book Speed and Scale say in this interview that:
“[w]hile individual action — switching to EVs, eating less beef and dairy, recycling, etc. — is expected, our book is focused on collective action. The big picture goal is cutting emissions at the systems level. We want folks to go to their city councils and press for clean grids and then to vote to ensure the funding is there. We want people to push for electric buses or protected bike lanes. This is the type of collective action that can draw down gigatons faster than individual action.”
In that spirit of collective action, we are ramping up to the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session with a kick-off event for our Parent Climate Advocacy Network on Saturday, September 10th from 10am-noon (location TBD, kids always welcome). Join other friendly folks stepping up to hold our elected officials accountable for writing and passing the strongest possible climate justice policies for Oregon. We’ll be sharing all the info we have so far about what’s likely to be in play with the legislature next year, and making plans to support and empower YOU to feel informed and confident about speaking up at decision points when it really matters. RSVP to leonard@familiesforclimate.org
In solidarity,
Noelle Studer-Spevak and Nora Lehmann
4TH ANNUAL HANG DRY WEEK
Did you know that the average American uses 700 -1000 kWh per year to dry their laundry in the dryer? That’s 7-10% of a home’s electricity usage! If people in the United States air dried their laundry (like 97% of Italians), we could save 3% of all the electricity produced in our country. That’s as much as all the electricity currently produced by solar panels in the US.
Join us in celebrating the incredible pollution prevention effects of drying laundry au naturale from August 21-27th! Learn more at HangDry.org and follow the movement at @HangDryWeek on Instagram.
Whether you’re a beginner or veteran, try drying your clothes in the sun, snap a photo and post to Instagram with the hashtag #HangDryWeek and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win some prizes from our friends at ElectrifyNow
Overheard this week: “I love my new Ikea drying rack—I can put it anywhere; I can’t believe it took me so long to try this!” —Emily G.
Good old Bob Vila has some tips on solar clothes dryer styles.
EVENTS AND ACTIONS
Last month, Eugene became the first city in Oregon to ban methane gas in new construction, and we hope to share more good news about other cities going all electric in the next few years. Why? Check out Breach Collective's short explainer video about the health and climate dangers of methane gas, and write to your local elected officials to encourage them to follow in Eugene’s footsteps! For folks in the Portland area, here is 350PDX’s campaign to electrify Multnomah County. You can also join us in emailing Eugene leaders at mayorcouncilandcitymanager@eugene-or.gov to thank them for their wise decision.
Join us Saturday, August 27, 1-4pm for a Family Playdate at The Really, Really Free Market at Gateway Discovery Park (NE 106th & Halsey), co-hosted by Lilly Hankins and Noelle Studer-Spevak. This is a great way to meet other parents and learn about getting involved in Families for Climate’s organizational work (comms/tech/grant writing/events) or one of our policy/advocacy priorities (state legislation, transportation, shade equity, electrification). You can also share your interests here and we’ll contact you.
Mark your calendars for our Parent Climate Advocacy Network get-together on Sept 10th from 10am-noon (location TBD, kids welcome). Join us to learn about how you can support important climate bills & regulatory decisions that will create a healthy future for our kids. For example, the 2023 session will include a bill based on recommendations from the Joint Task Force on Resilient Efficient Buildings. When advocates show up in large numbers it makes a difference: last month, so many people spoke during the Public Utility Commission’s hearing on the Future of Gas, that staff decided to take an additional few months to revise final recommendations. If you haven’t signed up to our PCAN specific mailing list to receive action alerts as written/oral public testimony opportunities arise, you can do so here.
Southern Oregon Climate Action Now (SOCAN) is hosting a webinar with an update from Our Children’s Trust on the Youth v. Gov. lawsuit on August 30 at 6pm. Details and registration link here.Participants are encouraged to watch the documentary before the event for background information.
RESOURCES
Families could save $1800 per year on their energy bills if they take advantage of Inflation Reduction Act incentives to electrify their homes. A Rewiring America explainer describes bill contents, such as energy retrofit assistance for families below 150% area median income, Tribal members, and funds for communities/schools. It also describes a long list of tax credits, such as clean vehicle credits for individuals with incomes <$150K, and tax credits to spur renewable energy projects in energy communities where today’s fossil fuel workers need new jobs. Stay tuned for more details about how the IRA could help you make your home more climate friendly!
ElectrifyPDX is an emerging community for renters and homeowners in Portland who want to update their homes with all renewable electric systems & appliances. Program participants will receive info about new resources and a sign to post in front of their home to share their progress toward clean electric certification. Want to learn more? Sign up on the ElectrifyPDX beta website to receive info about the program launch next month! Contact noelle@familiesforclimate if you would be willing to include your image/quote in promotional materials under development.
Want to geek out on home electrification? ElectrifyNow has a rich bank of informational videos to answer your every question.
You might think that Energy Trust of Oregon would be a logical place to access rebates for swapping out gas for electric appliances, but you’ll need to watch our 2021 webinar with Melanie Plaut to learn “the magic words” [min.15:28] you will need to access ETO rebates when fuel switching from gas appliances to electric.
Learn about the Build/Shift Collective’s carbon reduction and racial equity strategy to ensure that existing buildings are electrified and low-income people of color also have clean indoor air and affordable utility bills from this 2021 kick-off video in English and Spanish.
JOIN US!
Joining our family of sustaining members is a great way to assure that state/local climate advocacy continues – even when you’re busy. Here are some highlights from July:
Testified at the Public Utility Commission on the Future of Gas
Sent written testimony to Portland City Council with detailed recommendations to strengthen the Climate Emergency Work Plan.
Testified before Portland City Council about the oversized Interstate Bridge Replacement. Joined the Just Crossing Alliance.
Testified before the Oregon REbuilding Task Force (immediately following the Western State Petroleum Association!)
Signing (in process) onto a 35-page letter to the US EPA requesting that they regulate fossil fuel heating appliances, which contribute to pollution that endangers public health and welfare.
Joined 25 other organizations sending a letter to Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum requesting an investigation into the false & misleading advertising of NW Natural.
Partnered with Physicians for Social Responsibility on an August 8 press release responding to NW Natural's “Street of Nightmares.”
Met with Missoula-based Families for a Livable Climate and Seattle-based Climate Action Families for the very first time! We are looking forward to learning from each other, building power & speaking up on behalf of Northwest families.
As we move into harvest season, don't forget to make time for restoration and connection! Lying on the grass, cloud-gazing, forest bathing, camping, playing with kids in the dirt, visiting with friends on a blanket in the park — all good. Enjoy the fresh tomatoes, sunshine, and getting ready for school!
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