Electric Vehicles: Can They Deliver on Their Promise?

The video is now available for the March 1st webinar of Dr. Dan Sperling’s talk about the impact of Electric Vehicles (EVs) on carbon reduction. Find out what it will take for EVs to make a measurable difference in greenhouse gas reduction. We are cosponsoring this program with the League of Women Voters of Piedmont, California. To learn more about Dr. Sperling, visit the LWV Piedmont page.

We also co-sponsored the LWV of Piedmont event on the health effects of heat. The recording of that webinar on heat is here.

Climate on an International Scale: Notes from COP26

LWV of Portland Zoom Panel Discussion with LWV members who were at the 2021 UN Climate Conference

WATCH THE VIDEO by clicking below!

Here is the link to the podcast of this program.

MORE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM: The UN’s Climate Conference—the “Conference of the Parties” or COP—is  the official meeting of member states who signed the UN’s climate treaty.  Every year, the parties to the treaty, including the U.S., meet and negotiate various aspects of the treaty.

Seven League of Women Voters members from around the U.S. attended the November 2021 Climate Conference in Glasgow. We heard from five of them on Wednesday, March 9.  The panelists discussed:

    • an Overview of COP26
    • Transparency
    • Indigenous Peoples
    • the Sustainability Innovation Forum, and
    • Finance
    • Gender and Climate

The panel included:

    • Robin Tokmakian, UN Observer for Climate Change for LWVUS; LWV of Portland member
    • Carol Parker, North San Diego LWV
    • Toni Monette, co-president of the Nebraska LWV
    • Ashley Raveche, LWV California
    • Cynthia Bell, Hudson Valley, NY LWV

MetroEast Community Media records Portland League programs for rebroadcast and online streaming from lwvpdx.org. Funding is provided by the Carol & Velma Saling Foundation.

Watch the Video on Climate Action!

This video explains what’s being done now in Oregon to address our climate crisis. An expert panel discusses ways to reduce carbon emissions, while also providing jobs and improving the environment. The speakers represent the Portland Clean Energy Fund, Verde, Oregon Business for Climate, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Listen as they discuss their priorities and projects.  Click the arrow below.

Help Fight Climate Change

Opportunities for member-volunteers

The fight against climate change has become more urgent as we face hotter temperatures worldwide. You can join the League in this fight.

There are 3 ways to help from your home

1.      Observer: a few hours a month. Sign in from your computer to listen to public meetings and hearings. This is an easy way to follow a legislative policy committee, a state agency and/or a commission. Take notes and report back to the LWV of Oregon.

2.      Advocacy representative: a few hours for many weeks. As an advocacy representative, you can work with the LWVOR Natural Resources and Climate Emergency teams. You can review proposed climate-related plans. Then, help these advocacy teams influence rules and policies. The League especially  needs volunteers to help us advocate for:

      • Energy Efficient Buildings
      • Protecting Public Health
      • Capping and Reducing Industry Emissions

3.      Legislative liaison: 10-30 hours – most months. Actively participate in the legislative process. You can recommend or write testimony on bills related to your policy topic. You also could lobby legislators, and/or work with other organizations fighting climate change. (This could mean spending some time at the Capitol with other volunteers. Choose how you want to work!)

What happened earlier this year

After years of work to develop a comprehensive climate bill, the 2020 Oregon Legislative Session ended without passing the bill. On March 8, 2020, the Governor released her Climate Policy Executive Order. You can read a summary of the Oregon Climate Action Plan (OCAP) and why it matters here. Or read Renew Oregon’s quick overview of the plan. Following the governor’s order, state agencies began making plans for reducing state greenhouse gas emissions.

Where does the LWV fit in?

The League works along with many other climate organizations, through Renew Oregon. We follow and have input into the rule-making process, as agencies carry out the governor’s order. We are focused on facilitating rapid reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.

The governor’s Executive Order moves the work on climate change into the work of state agencies and their commissions. Across the board, there is much to do.

New volunteers will be supported. Experienced volunteers will provide information and help.

Contact lwvor@lwvor.org to learn more and to volunteer.

June 4, 1:30 PM! Hearing on Climate Change #AllEyesOnJuliana👀

ninth Circuit hearing on climate

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Portland, Oregon heard the constitutional youth climate lawsuit, Juliana v. United States, on June 4, 2019. Counsel for youth plaintiffs, Julia Olson, argued on their behalf and an attorney from the Department of Justice argued on behalf of the federal government. The League of Women Voters supports the young people in their climate lawsuit against the US Government. You can view a recording of the hearing here.

What It’s about

In 2015, 21 young Americans filed a lawsuit ( Juliana v. United States) against the federal government for knowingly contributing to climate change and violating their constitutional rights. The Juliana v. US lawsuit established that young people have a constitutional right to “a climate system capable of sustaining human life.” That right is being violated.

the Portland Rally!

Hundreds of people rallied in Portand and watched a livestream of oral arguments at Director Park in downtown Portland. There was  a press conference with the young plaintiffs following the hearing. In March 2019, Multnomah County, OR, filed a brief supporting the plaintiffs. Chair Kafoury and Multnomah Commissioners attended the rally.

The YouTube video of the hearing had 4,890 views by the evening of June 4.

Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial