At a community gathering in Portland recently, Bill Bradbury, former Oregon Secretary of State, served up a big dish of reasons why we in the Northwest, and around the world, need to take note of what’s happening to our planet (including you, me, and the communities we live in) as a result of climate change. The presentation, held at Taborspace, was sponsored by 350PDX and Renew Oregon – two of a long list of local organization working on climate issues and solutions.

Prior to serving as Secretary of State for nine years, Bradbury worked in the Oregon Legislature for fourteen years. He is now one of two representatives from Oregon appointed to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Bradbury has been active in environmental protection throughout his career  – among other pursuits, directing a non-profit, For the Sake of the Salmon. He was one the first cohorts to receive Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leader‘s training in 2006. Since then he’s presented on climate change issues and solutions on more than 400 occasions.

I’m usually not fond of scare tactics around the topic of climate change, but Bradbury’s presentation delivered just the right amount of reality shock to wake us up and take note. For an hour I listened and learned with gripping suspense, but did not walk away hopeless. Read more