Call for Action to Comment on Portland’s Weak Climate Emergency Work Plan

Emergencies demand solutions that go beyond the status quo.

Portland’s Climate Emergency Work Plan, for which public comments are due to the City Council by 10:25 a.m. on August 24, states “the time is now” to take action to address our climate crisis. We couldn’t agree more. But the plan is more aspirational than an actual blueprint for managing projects throughout the city in a new way that addresses the extreme urgency of the crisis. It’s more a feel-good summary of what’s being done than a specific path to crisis-level action. It should also be noted that the City’s latest Climate Emergency Resolution that accompanies the work plan is not its first.

Importantly, it does not spell out how the City will preserve large-form trees and space to plant new ones at a time when development codes, which do not limit impervious areas, are eroding tree canopy in our hottest and most vulnerable neighborhoods. Unless all relevant codes, including, of course, the tree code, are boldly rewritten and practices revamped to reflect the crisis we’re facing, we won’t move the dial here.  

The plan does not address the way the City bureaucracy itself is deeply entrenched in only enforcing minimum code requirements rather than looking for ways to maximize opportunities that go beyond such minimums. 

The plan does not model specific ideas for how our buildings, sidewalks, streets, and parks might be redesigned to still be livable in the extreme climate conditions we are starting to experience. For instance, pilot projects provide a way for the City to model best practices and evaluate what works and what doesn’t but the plan doesn’t mention them. 

Read Trees for Life Oregon’s full comments to City Council for our specific recommendations including the kinds of pilot projects we’re proposing and language changes to the Work Plan that recognize just how important large-form trees are to mitigating extreme heat and providing climate resilience. Send your written comments before 10:25 a.m. on August 24 to cctestimony@portlandoregon.gov  and to com.rubio@portlandoregon.gov.