Nabil Zaghloul — Candidate for Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, District 3
Endorsed 350PDX CJ platform? No
Candidate statement:
For me, climate justice is not an abstract environmental issue. It is a public health, economic justice and affordability issue.
During more than 32 years serving Multnomah County residents, including work in public health, housing stability, food security and economic opportunity, I have seen that environmental harm does not affect every family equally. A family struggling economically has fewer choices when extreme heat arrives, energy bills increase, wildfire smoke makes the air unhealthy, or housing conditions threaten their health. That is why environmental justice must be part of how we address economic inequality.
I support the direction of Multnomah County’s Climate Justice Plan, particularly its connection between clean air, healthy housing, extreme-weather resilience, clean energy, health and economic opportunity. But adopting a plan is only the beginning. As Commissioner, I would insist on measurable implementation and public accountability.
First, I would protect public health and frontline communities by supporting heat preparedness, cooling access, healthy-home improvements, clean-air protections, and tree canopy and shade in neighborhoods experiencing the greatest environmental and health burdens.
Second, I would reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and addressing the risks associated with the Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub, while ensuring a responsible transition that protects workers, communities and public safety.
Third, I would connect climate investment to economic opportunity. Through the Economic Justice and Recovery program I helped build, I learned that lasting stability requires more than temporary assistance. County climate investments should create apprenticeships, workforce training and family-supporting green jobs, particularly for communities that historically have had less access to those opportunities.
Finally, I believe in measuring results. Through the County Report Card I am proposing, residents should be able to see whether climate investments are actually reducing emissions, improving air quality, lowering household energy burdens, strengthening neighborhood resilience and creating good jobs.
Climate justice should not require families already struggling economically to carry another burden. Done correctly, climate action can improve health, reduce household costs, create careers and make our neighborhoods more resilient at the same time.
Equity should appear in the results, not simply in the climate plan.
