Candidate statement:
Climate change is not just the greatest challenge of our time – it’s the greatest challenge in human history.
Portland needs to be a leader in reducing carbon emissions, reducing the harm climate change imposes on vulnerable communities, and helping people in those communities participate in the benefits of a clean energy economy.
I would like to see PCEF focus more resources on transportation, which is both the largest source of carbon emissions and a big expense for low-income people. Smart investments in transit and bike and pedestrian infrastructure, giving people alternatives to driving, both reduce emissions and save families money.
One transit project that I have urged PCEF to invest in is the proposed 82d Avenue Bus Rapid Transit project, which would dramatically improve transit service for many people of color and low-income people. The project needs “local match” money in order to get Federal funds. I think that’s exactly the kind of thing PCEF should be investing in – and the Council, PCEF and TriMet should be thinking and talking about what other transit investments make sense. The non-profit advocacy group OPAL Environmental Justice should also be part of those discussions.
In some cases, it might even make sense to help families – especially if they have long commutes, limited access to transit, and a long trip to the grocery store – for PCEF to invest in helping people buy electric cars. Helping people move from gas cars to electric cars reduces emissions and saves families money – in both fuel and repairs.
To reverse the recent decline in bicycling, we need to make the streets safer – not just by investing in infrastructure, but by cracking down on dangerous driving. Drivers went nuts during the pandemic and have stayed nuts. I want to see if we can dramatically increase the number of speed cameras around the city, so people will know that if they speed they are likely to get caught.
Although societal change, not just individual choices, is necessary to address climate change, people want to know what they can do personally – and we should look for ways to give them the information they need. For example, some foods are much more climate-friendly than others; beef is bad (largely because cows belch methane!); chicken is somewhat better but not great; sardines, lentils, and chickpeas are fantastic. We should call on grocery stores and restaurants to post some basic information on the relative climate-friendliness of common food types. And City websites should have that information as well. There’s research showing that information makes a difference!
A non-climate change priority is taking steps to ensure that we do not continue to site polluting facilities, like warehouses / distribution centers, in already overburdened communities. Neighbors for Clean Air has proposed that the City adopt public health overlay zoning, as Eugene has, and at the state level is proposing to modify Goal 9 to give clear direction to cities to consider health and EJ impacts when industrial facilities are proposed next to homes, schools, or care facilities.
Will you ensure the Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) remains climate-focused in line with what voters intended?
Yes