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Take Action for the Climate
The successful reduction of carbon emissions in Portland and Multnomah County is due to the accomplishments of our combined communities.
Since 1990:
- Transit: Ridership up 85%
- Bike Commutes: Up 400%
- Vehicle Miles Traveled: Down 7%, per capita
- Gasoline Sales: Down 13%, per capita
- Household Energy: Down 5%, per capita
Other community accomplishments include:
- The addition of two major light rail lines and the Portland Streetcar.
- A recycling rate of 63 percent, among the highest in the nation.
- The construction of nearly 40 high-performance green buildings.
- The establishment of the Energy Trust of Oregon and consistent funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
- These successes build on Portland’s internationally-recognized model of environmental innovation leading to improved community health and new economic opportunities for a 21st century city.
Here are some actions you can take right now
- Calculate your carbon footprint: Visit www.b-e-f.org/calc.
- Get free assistance to reduce carbon at your business: Visit www.bestbusinesscenter.org or call (503) 823-3919.
- Schedule a free home energy review: Contact the Energy Trust of Oregon at www.energytrust.org or (866) ENTRUST (968-7878).
- Discover how driving doesn’t have to be your only option: Visit www.drivelesssavemore.com.
- Contact your utilities to sign up for clean energy:
Portland General Electric —
www.portlandgeneral.com
or (800) 542-8818
PacifiCorp — www.pacificpower.net
or (888) 221-7070
NW Natural — www.nwnatural.com
or (800) 422-4012
- Learn about energy-efficiency and green building for your next home project: Visit www.buildgreen411.com or call (503) 823-8431.
- Reduce stuff: Contact the Metro Recycling Information hotline at (503) 234-3000 to learn how to reduce the amount of garbage you generate.
- Count the number of times you eat red meat in a week: Replace 20 percent of your red meat consumption with other food.
- Talk about the climate: Ask a friend what she or he is doing to address climate change.
- Go Solar: The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability's Solar Now! program provides technical assistance to help you decide which solar energy options are best for your home or business. Learn more here.
- Buy fuel-efficient cars: A growing number of hybrid and other highly efficient vehicles are now available, some of which get over 50 mpg. Before you buy a car, compare the efficiency of different vehicles at www.fueleconomy.gov and choose the most fuel-efficient vehicle that meets your needs.
- Reduce, reuse and recycle: Recycling generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than throwing things away, but reducing waste in the first place is an even better way to reduce emissions and conserve resources. Learn more.
- Plant trees: In addition to improving water and air quality, trees remove CO2 from the air as they grow. The Portland Parks and Recreation's Street Tree information page for trees that are appropriate to plant in Portland. The non-profit organization Friends of Trees also has a variety of programs to help people plant, care for, and learn about city trees.
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