June 2024 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
May has been a busy month for climate action, including DEQ’s ongoing rulemaking to reinstate Oregon’s cornerstone Climate Protection Program, which was invalidated based on a procedural technicality in December 2023. Families for Climate volunteers, board members, and other activists have been busy tracking progress, and providing testimony at various meetings and forums.
As DEQ moves forward with this process, it is vital that decision-makers hear strong support for maintaining the integrity of the CPP. The oil and gas industry is fighting to weaken the program through their representatives on the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC), as in the most recent meeting on May 14th, where they tried to assert that the Community Climate Investments (CCIs) are too expensive. CCIs, though, are too important to dismiss because of the price tag; the Climate Protection Program will invest millions in funding through CCIs for community-led solutions that prioritize frontline communities—those who are disproportionately impacted by climate change, have less access to cleaner, renewable fuel sources, and are rarely directly supported in public programs.
We're fighting to protect our climate, hold polluters accountable, and invest in a sustainable future for everyone as part of the Coalition for Climate and Economic Justice. Stay tuned for more details and information as we continue to advocate for CPP!
June 1 Mt. Tabor Climate Action Play Date
June is just around the corner! Summer in Oregon is the perfect time to get outside, learn about the place we call home, and take action for climate justice. Join us for one of our Climate Action Playdates. You can find more information below, but our first one is coming up on Saturday, June 1st from 11am-1pm at Mt. Tabor Playground. And stay tuned for our General Meeting date happening in August.
Help Support Our Work
Thank you for your continued commitment to climate justice and we can’t wait to take action with you this year! Another way to support our work and climate justice is to set up a recurring donation. We appreciate any little bit you can contribute.👇
Summer Families for Climate Events
All summer long, we’re connecting with families through Families for Climate Climate Action Play Dates throughout Portland. We’re launching the summer with a Play Date THIS Saturday, June 1 at Mt. Tabor (11am-1pm). And mark your calendars for all other playdates held at these playgrounds: 6/22 at Arbor Lodge Park (10am-12pm), 7/13 Berkeley Park (3-5pm), 7/20 at Wilshire Park (10am-12pm), 8/10 at Creston Park (10:30-12:30pm), and 9/7 at Brooklyn Park (10:30-12:30pm). This is a great opportunity to connect with other families committed to climate justice, to learn about Families for Climate and how to get involved, and to enjoy the incredible summers in Portland. We are also organizing an FFC General Meeting for late August. Stay tuned for date announcements for those in the newsletter and on social media.
Tentative approval of $8.3B budget to support climate initiatives
Portland City Council tentatively approved an $8.2 billion budget earlier this month, with a final vote set for June 12th. We have the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) to thank for bringing in unprecedented revenue, which Mayor Ted Wheeler proposed the city put towards renewable energy projects and supporting frontline communities affected by climate injustice. Key proposed items are $13 million for street tree care and preservation and $7 million for Portland’s Urban Forestry Division. You can find the full budget breakdown here, and send postcards, call, and email the City Council telling them you want to see your tax dollars going to projects centered around climate justice in Portland’s communities!
Check out this inspiring recording of 350PDX staff Brenna Bell, Forest Climate Manager, discussing this exciting step forward for Portland’s Shade Equity Coalition. This group is made up of several Portland-based community organizations to remedy disparities in street tree canopy. Special shoutout to former board member and super-volunteer Noelle Studer-Spevak, who helps lead this incredible coalition!
Pedalpalooza Is Back as Bike Summer!
Our favorite summer-long bike celebration is back on June 1st with Bike Summer 2024! There is a scheduled ride every single day between June 1 and August 31st with plenty of family rides offered. Just check out their calendar and look for the green-tagged “family-friendly” events noting rides safe to bring the kiddos along.
The Bird Days of Summer Starts in June
Want to learn more about Oregon’s birds and get your kids involved too? The Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Bird Days of Summer event is back. Throughout June, July, and August, there are bird outings organized throughout the state from Beginner Bird Noticing and Accessible Dusk Birding to Queer Birding and BIPOC Bird Walks there’s something for everyone.
Artwork by Jasmine Vazquez
FFC Co-President on "Cramming for the Apocalypse" Podcast
Recently our communications manager, Elizabeth Doerr, interviewed FFC co-president Leonard Barrett on taking climate action as a parent on the “Cramming for the Apocalypse” podcast that Elizabeth produces. This episode is a great way to learn more about what we do at FFC and how you can take action.
Portland Participatory Budgeting
Portlanders may have noticed signature gatherers around the city over the last few weeks. These efforts are part of a new campaign, Community Budgeting for All, to get an initiative to allow 2% of the city’s budget to be shaped through participatory budgeting on the November 2024 ballot. Participatory budgeting (PB) is a practice that occurs in municipalities all around the world–and started in Puerto Alegre, Brazil–and has an incredible impact on increased community and civic engagement and an impact on our community’s budgets. Participatory Budgeting Project discusses how PB can impact climate policies saying: “PB is a concrete process for advancing environmental justice. By asking community members to develop and vote on their own solutions, PB can shift power to communities who are most impacted by climate change and environmental injustice.” You can learn more about the Participatory Budgeting Oregon and their work here.
Climate News Roundup
Portland schools could see $50 million boost for climate action | OPB
Climate Change is Taking its Toll on Oregon's Coast | Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center
Climate Change and Recreation on Public Lands in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington | USDA Climate Hubs
