CUB Would Like You to Meet the Oregon Conservation Network and its 2009 Priorities
Posted on December 10, 2008 by oregoncub
Tags, Climate and Conservation, Legislative & Political
CUB is primarily a consumer advocacy organization, but advocating effectively for consumers has increasingly begun to mean involving environmental concerns in the mix. A primary mover behind this change has been the growing awareness of worldwide global warming impacts and the global warming pollution that contributes to it.
For nearly a decade, CUB has been a member of the Oregon Conservation Network (OCN). In that time, energy has become a key environmental issue. While CUB doesn’t have a position on all of the issues OCN works on, CUB believes it’s important for public interest organizations to work collaboratively (even on non-utility issues). As a member of OCN, CUB would like to help spread the word about its top priorities for the upcoming Legislative Session.
1) Implement Global Warming Solutions: Out with pollution, in with solutions, starting with a cap on global warming pollution that will decline over time. What makes this the lead issue for both OCN and CUB? In a Guardian report on climate talks currently happening in Poznan, Poland, one scientist’s report left the room stunned: “Despite the political rhetoric, the scientific warnings, the media headlines and the corporate promises, [climate scientist Kevin Anderson] would say, carbon emissions were soaring way out of control - far above even the bleak scenarios considered by last year’s report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)...” Oregon can take the lead on providing a workable solution to this problem.
2) Promote Water Conservation: Water is and has been a crucial issue in many parts of Oregon for a long time, and the impacts of global warming will only exacerbate that.
3) Preserve Oregon’s Coastal Legacy: Oregon’s coast is one of the most beautiful places in the world and deserves our protection. In addition, our fishing industry needs to be stabilized for long-term viability. Oceans the world over are being affected by global warming, industrial overfishing, and other pollutants, and they need help.
4) Increase Transportation Options: This could provide another solution to another side of the global warming pollution problem. Organizations who deal with land-use planning and transportation (unlike CUB) will take the lead.
5) Ensure New Energy Supplies Are Responsible: This energy issue has a tangled local dilemma at its heart - what to do about liquefied natural gas. We are analyzing the resource from an economic perspective. CUB is skeptical that LNG will ever be economic in the Northwest. There are, of course, many environmental concerns also involved with building large LNG stations, and in shipping the fuel long distances.
6) Stop the Spread of Invasive Species: A spreading problem that needs to be addressed.
More information on all of these Priority issues, as well as the 50 member organizations that currently make up OCN, are available on their website.
CUB’s legislative role will be primarily focused on helping achieve positive, forward-moving policy on the Global Warming Solutions and Energy Supplies issues. We are happy to be part of a group with a track record of success, most notably in 2007, when OCN was able to pass all of their 5 Priority issues, including the landmark Renewable Energy Standard bill. The group was founded in the mid-1990s and has matured into a force to be reckoned with in Salem.
Join In and Make a Difference
You can take part in the creation of good policy regarding global warming and responsible energy sources in 2009. Sign up for Salem Watch, a newsletter keeping activists and citizens up-to-date on how environmental issues are faring down at our State Capitol Building. Once on that list, look out for more information on the Climate/Clean Energy Rally Day being held the afternoon of January 13th at the Capitol.
And stay involved throughout the session, adding your voice to the fray, by joining the E-mail Action Network. You’ll get action alerts (about a dozen the entire session) and will be able to contact your legislator directly with the touch of a button. It’s easy and it makes a huge difference.
This is a big ambitious agenda. The session may go well, or it may be rough; but one thing we know is that we are going to need your help.
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03/10/17 | 0 Comments | CUB Would Like You to Meet the Oregon Conservation Network and its 2009 Priorities