One of the best tools we have here in Oregon to fight the climate crisis is the vast carbon sequestration potential of our forests. Unfortunately, logging currently accounts for almost a quarter of Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions, and mismanagement of our carbon-dense forests has released massive stores of carbon into the atmosphere.
The Forest Defense Team works to fight climate change by advocating for forest management practices that increase carbon sequestration and storage, decrease forestry sector carbon emissions, and improve community and ecosystem resilience in the face of the changing climate.
The Forest-Carbon Connection
Forests are vital in the fight against climate change. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in live and dead trees, on the forest floor, and in the soil.
Forests in western Oregon have the potential to store more carbon by acre than almost any other forest type in the world, but today this storage is severely reduced by intensive, industrial logging practices.
See here for our position on biomass energy, and why it is generally not a good climate solution.
Our Campaigns
When we adopt smart forest management practices, our forests protect us in turn. That’s why 350PDX’s Forest Defense Team is expanding our work to care for our tree friends in Portland and across the Pacific Northwest. Through these campaigns, we’ll keep fighting for a more resilient, equitable Oregon where forests deliver clean drinking water, lessen the impacts of the Climate Crisis, and provide shade for all in the city of Portland.
Stopping Biomass in its Tracks: Ax Drax
350PDX is fighting to oppose the biomass corporation Drax. While the UK company currently operates in the Southeast United States, they want to come to the Pacific Northwest to turn our forests into woody pellets. Although the energy source produces less energy and contributes more emissions than coal, massive subsidies from the United Kingdom allows Drax to profit at the expense of our forests and our communities. This is why we are fighting to oppose Drax.
Fighting for shade equity in Portland
Portland neighborhoods that were redlined in the past still face deep systematic injustices today. These neighborhoods now lack street trees, adequate infrastructure, and other forms of support, leading to some of the hottest average temperatures in those areas. Increasing tree canopy is a key strategy for cooling these “urban heat islands,” improving livability and making communities more climate resilient. But there are currently barriers to planting and maintaining street trees in Portland – a key one being that local residents must bear the costs. While the City acknowledges that lower income residents bear more financial burden in increasing Portland’s tree canopy, they have only recently starting seeking a solution, thanks to our advocacy. You can learn more about our Shade Equity Campaign here.
Defending our forests, water, and habitats from over-harvesting
Join our team
We are a loose group of ten to thirty people with diverse backgrounds, with various levels of engagement. We appreciate every new volunteer regardless of their background or knowledge. Nevertheless, we would love to find more volunteers with strong insights in political strategy on a regional level or communications or organizational skills.
We meet every first and third Monday of the month. Our meetings mainly take place via Zoom; we occasionally gather in-person when the weather is right.
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