The People’s Planet is written by a cooperative of writers from the environmental activism community.
By Jeff Bissonnette
Contributing Columnist
It’s not often that one gets to write a first-ever column. I’m happy to get that opportunity from Street Roots and introduce an environmental column.
Wait a second, I hear you say. What’s an environmental column doing in a street newspaper focused on homelessness and social issues? Well, I answer, it’s because you are reading Street Roots. As the good folks behind the paper like to say, Street Roots readers are average Portlanders, average Oregonians. That means they have a wide variety of interests and concerns. And that includes environmental issues.
If you think about it, it’s really not that strange. Street Roots is focused on issues affecting people: homelessness, affordable housing, addictions and treatment, economic development, and social justice. And, really, environmental issues are about people too.
Oh, sure. There’s lots of folks who try to relegate environmental issues to an obscure corner of animals, vegetation and minerals. Jobs versus the environment. Owls versus loggers. It’s an old story, old as the hills some might say.
But this column will work to change that view.
Because when we talk about environmental issues, we’re actually talking about people. What’s in the water we drink? What’s in the air we breathe? What kind of place do we want to live in? What kind of energy sources do we want to depend on? What legacy do we want to leave our children?
I can’t stress enough that this column is a collaborative effort. You’ll read submissions from a bunch of folks (who you can meet in the sidebar) about great people doing great work on issues that will impact all of us, now and for years to come. Allow me to preview some of what you’ll read in this space:
n An overview of the environmental impacts of the outcome of Measures 66 and 67 which Oregonians will vote on at the end of January. The Oregon Conservation Network, a statewide collaboration of environmental groups, is urging Oregonians to vote YES on the measures because without them, the programs that preserve our air, water and forests face significant potential cuts; because a giant hole in the budget threatens the environmental safeguards we already have in place; and because we need to be able to invest in our local economy.
n A summary of the environmental issues that will be taken up by the Oregon Legislature during their short session in February and how you can impact those issues. Environmental groups will be advocating for the protection of Oregon’s Renewable Energy Standard, protecting young children from products with bi-phenol A, and advocating to prevent drilling off Oregon’s coast.
n A look at 35 people under age 35 who are making a difference in their communities. In recognition of their 35th anniversary, 1000 Friends of Oregon will highlight 35 Oregonians under 35 who are literally changing the world, either statewide or in their own backyards.
n An examination of the Columbia River Gorge and the role this iconic place plays in our lives. Friends of the Columbia Gorge is an organization founded in 1980 to permanently protect the Gorge. Its current work is focused on improving air quality in the Gorge, acquiring land to hold in trust for future generations and making sure that development in the Gorge adheres to resource protection standards.
And — as they say — much, much more.
As I write this, I’m visiting friends who generally have a great view of Mt. Hood from their house. Today, though, the mountain is shrouded in clouds and fog. But we know it’s there. I think that’s a good metaphor for this column and for Street Roots too.
Street Roots is about hope, knowing that better times are ahead as long as we stick together as a community, caring equally about ourselves and others. This column will reflect that same hope, exploring issues that affect each of us and hopefully providing stories and insights to inspire us on our journey. Even if our way is clouded from time to time, we can still keep a vision of the shining mountain, and a shining future, before us.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff Bissonnette is the organizing director for the Citizens’ Utility Board of Oregon, which works on fair utility rates and ensuring consumer-friendly investments in energy conservation and clean energy resources..