Answering the Oregon Challenge: Climate Change

• Oregon industrial greenhouse gas emissions
• Impact of climate change
• What's causing climate change?
• Taking action for Oregon
• What you can do

Oregon DEQ is meeting the challenge of climate change head-on and participating in a statewide effort to reduce green house gas emissions, prepare for impacts and help nurture a cleaner, more sustainable Oregon.

• The Governor's statewide effort

The impact of climate change

The effects of climate change have serious implications for Oregon’s economy and environment. Our winters are becoming milder, our summers hotter. Snow packs are shrinking and unseasonably warm temperatures are leading to rapid spring melts depleting Oregon’s supply of summer water for agriculture and stream flows for wildlife. Storms and forest fires are becoming more severe while the risk of coastal flooding is increasing.

What’s causing climate change?

There is strong scientific evidence demonstrating that humans are contributing to the rapid acceleration of global temperatures, primarily through the burning of fossil fuels. Vehicles, power plants and industrial operations emit gases which trap heat near the Earth’s surface. One way Oregon can be sure not to contribute to climate change is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Annual emissions of carbon dioxide, one of the most significant greenhouse gases, have increased nearly 80% between 1970 and 2004 and experts predict a faster rate of global warming in the next 100 years than experienced in the last 10,000 years.

Taking action for Oregon

Oregon doesn’t have to keep doing business as usual. Together we can lead the way along with other states to be a part of the solution. DEQ is already at work on developing a framework for Oregon business to report and track greenhouse gas emissions. This reporting system will be used as the basis for a regional Cap and Trade system that will reward businesses for reducing their emissions.

• Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule

Oregon is proposing rules for mandatory reporting of greenhouse gases, beginning with 2009 emissions to be reported in 2010. The greenhouse gas reporting rules are a necessary first step to gather information about greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change and to track, evaluate and develop strategies to achieve state and regional greenhouse gas reduction goals.

• Oregon Low Emission Vehicles

Air pollution from motor vehicles, industrial sources and commercial and residential activities isn’t the only source of greenhouse gases. In order to meet the challenge of climate change Oregonians must evaluate what we’re sending to the landfill as well as the products we use in our homes. Examining the "life cycle" of a television, for example, including the energy and materials needed to manufacture, transport, use and dispose of it, can give us a clearer picture of how each of us contributes to climate change.

• Materials, Waste and Global Warming

Protecting Oregon’s water resources is also a top priority. DEQ is actively helping Oregonians secure stable and abundant clean water supplies.

• Protecting Oregon’s Groundwater
• Protecting Oregon's Rivers, Lakes and Streams

What you can do

We can all answer the Oregon Challenge for Climate Change and do our part to support clean technologies, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, water conservation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Find out what you can do to make Every Day Earth Day.

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