Climate solutions from Day One

Media Contacts

New report touts 12 ways governors can lead on climate

Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center

Portland– Today, Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center released a new report, Climate Solutions from Day One: 12 Ways Governors Can Lead on Climate Now, detailing actions governors across the country can take immediately to significantly reduce planet-warming carbon pollution and ensure a more stable climate for their states and the nation.

“To avoid a climate change-fueled future of more extreme weather, wildfires and rising sea levels, we need to do all we can to cut global warming pollution today,” said Celeste Meiffren-Swango, State Director with Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center. “Governor Kate Brown has a proven track record as a climate champion and has a robust agenda to tackle climate change, but one thing some other governors have done that is worth also considering is having state agencies lead by example on clean energy, electric vehicles and waste reduction.”

While the federal government is headed in the wrong direction, pulling out of the international Paris Agreement and rolling back the federal Clean Power Plan and Clean Car Standards, Governor Brown plays an important role in demonstrating to Oregonians, other states, and the international community that the United States is still serious about solving the climate crisis. Governors have many opportunities to lead on climate, by making state government a positive example for climate action; setting goals around renewable energy deployment, electric vehicle adoption, and waste reduction; and creating or joining bipartisan, regional partnerships across state lines.

Over the past year, top climate scientists have issued reports with dire warnings about our future. Every ton of greenhouse gas emissions saved will help avert the worst impacts of global warming, and we have no time to delay. The latest update to the National Climate Assessment makes the stakes for regions across the country clear. Without urgent action to cut carbon pollution, we can expect droughts, storms, wildfires, flooding, and many more negative impacts of global warming to get much worse. We need rapid action by our elected leaders — and the solutions are abundant.

“In dozens of states, governors of every political stripe have taken strong action to put their states on the path to a lower-emission future,” said Gideon Weissman of Frontier Group, report co-author. “When you’re facing a dire threat, you need to use every tool in the toolbox. It’s just common sense to cut energy waste in state buildings and boost renewable energy, and governors can make a difference right away.”

“The time for action on climate is now. Americans understand that climate change is an existential issue, with growing threats to the health and well-being of their friends, family and neighbors,” added Meiffren-Swango. “We look forward to continued leadership from Governor Brown to ensure that Oregonians can pursue their lives, liberty and happiness with a stable climate.”

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