September 2021 edition
Our climate action plan will be the blueprint to support a vibrant economy, improved health, protected lands, and a safe and thriving community for generations to come.
Identifying actions to reach carbon neutrality 

The Climate Action Task Force (CATF) has a lot of work to do in a relatively short time. To make the best use of their time, they are working methodically (but rapidly) through a process that helps them identify specific actions that can be taken by the county and in the county to reach carbon neutrality.

To focus the discussion, the group is looking at what needs to be done to reduce carbon emissions in the following over-arching categories:
  • Building
  • Energy
  • Food/agriculture/forestry
  • Land use
  • Transportation
  • Waste/wastewater/water/materials management

And of course it’s not enough just to brainstorm actions to reduce carbon emissions. It’s also vital to know the potential impacts (both positive and negative) of implementing the action, the financial cost and whether it’s even possible for the action to be implemented.  

Therefore, for each possible action the CATF will need to consider whether it’s possible here in Clackamas County in one or more of the following ways:
  • Because the county has the authority to regulate it
  • Because the county can provide education and advocate for the action
  • Because the county can take the action as an example to others
  • Because the county can support or provide incentives for others to take the action 
Task force develops actions and strategies to reach target outcomes

The Community Advisory Task Force (CATF) has been meeting since July to help develop a climate action plan to meet the county goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.

At the Sept. 9 meeting, members reviewed emission target outcomes for the year 2050 and honed in on the high levels actions needed to meet those targets.

At the Sept. 23 meeting, members developed and prioritized strategies the county, businesses and community members can take to meet the high level actions set for each of the core categories described in the section above.

You are invited to listen in to task force meetings and express your views during the public comment portion. Meetings will continue approximately every two weeks through early November, and periodically through spring 2022. Get meeting Zoom links, read meeting materials and watch past videos at www.clackamas.us/sustainability/climateaction.
Update on youth

The Youth Advisory Task Force (YATF), a group of community members under age 23 from across Clackamas County, has met monthly since March to understand the key issues of the climate action plan and share their priorities.

After extensive discussion of the data and main concerns of the group, the group has identified an initial set of priority action areas to share with the Community Advisory Task Force at a future meeting. The written recommendation will be available on the project website by the end of October.
Climate justice through library essential services

In a High Country News article "Why investing in libraries is a climate justice issue", Clackamas County was highlighted for our heavy reliance on libraries to step in as cooling centers to provide relief for community members during the heat wave in June.

"Studies show that people of color are at higher risk of illness or death than white people. That’s because they often live in hotter areas with less access to air conditioning and a greater likelihood of service disconnections, or in neighborhoods where energy companies sometimes deliberately shut off power to avoid larger disruptions".

Read the article for more about the crucial role libraries play in providing access to essential services, especially to our vulnerable community members.
Help us hear from the whole community

We want to welcome people, organizations and businesses from throughout Clackamas County to help achieve the countywide goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. This newsletter is one way to share opportunities for community members to be engaged. If you know of folks - students, neighbors, colleagues, supervisors, electeds - who would be interested in learning about and perhaps contributing to this plan, please share this newsletter and encourage them to sign up.

We also want to know what kind of information you would like in this newsletter and on the project webpage. Send suggestions to climate@clackamas.us.

Thank you for being on this journey with us!
Sign up to receive future e-newsletters and opportunities to engage in the climate action plan development process!