a large community for earth delegation accompanied the rev. kate lore of first church to urge the city council to vote against
fossil fuel export facilities
Public opposition to propane terminal
appears to carry the day
After the testimony, Rev. Kate reported: "We came out in force today to tell City Council to halt all future fossil fuel projects from our region--specifically those involving the transport and storage of oil, coal, Liquified Natural Gas and Propane. Not only did the City Council voice their support of us ... Mayor Hales just invited me and to advise him on his climate change meeting with the Pope this summer. He's going to invite Rev. Chuck Currie as well, who also spoke today. Go, Team, go!" See below for Rev. Kate's remarks. Click here for Rev. Currie's.
Hales has been criticized in the editorial pages of The Oregonian for reversing course and opposing the proposed Pembina terminal to export propane, largely to Asian markets. On the eve of the testimony, Commissioner Dan Saltzman also announced his opposition, and Commissioner Amanda Fritz said she would vote against it as well. Click for information about the terminal.
Hales has been criticized in the editorial pages of The Oregonian for reversing course and opposing the proposed Pembina terminal to export propane, largely to Asian markets. On the eve of the testimony, Commissioner Dan Saltzman also announced his opposition, and Commissioner Amanda Fritz said she would vote against it as well. Click for information about the terminal.
Members of the City Council listened as the Revs. Kate Lore and Chuck Currie urged them gear Portland's policies to fight human contributions to climate change. City Council members left to right are Steve Novick, Amanda Fritz, Mayor Charlie Hales and Dan Saltzman. Commissioner Nick Fish is obscured by the television camera.
Kate lore's testimony
June 3, 2015
Let me begin by thanking Mayor Hales for your leadership in pulling support for the Pembina Propane Terminal. I’d also like to thank Dan Saltzman who came out in opposition just last night. May your courage inspire the rest of City Council to do likewise.*
My primary reason for being here this morning to ask the City Council to write and adopt an energy policy that prohibits ALL FUTURE fossil fuel export projects from coming through our city. By this I mean ANY project involving the storage and transfer of oil, coal, liquefied natural gas and propane. I’ll give you 3 sound reasons for this request.
Reason #1. Climate change is already killing and ruining the lives of the very people in Asia to whom we export fossil fuels. Recent news reports tell us:
· That over 1,800 people in India just died from record high temperatures attributed to climate-change;[1]
· That air pollution in cities like Delhi is now so bad that it’s giving young children the lungs of heavy smokers, thereby shortening their lives;[2] and
· That farmers in India have resorted to selling their children because climate change-related crop failures have left them penniless.[3]
Clearly, Asian countries need more CLEAN energy alternatives, not more fossil fuel imports.
Reason #2. The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change tells us that CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels are still rising far too fast, putting us on a devastating path of a global temperature increase of 4 or 5 degrees. These scientists and economists say that in order to save ourselves, we will need to reduce emissions by at least 40% by midcentury.[4] As a green city, Portland should be leading that effort.
Reason #3. Portland has a moral obligation to halt anything that exploits Native American and First Nations peoples – the very people whose territories are being despoiled by fracking and tar sand.
Members of Council, if we do nothing, our climate will continue to spiral out of balance. To stabilize our climate for the long term, Portland must maintain its "climate champion' status and I ask that you oppose any new fossil fuel infrastructure or fossil fuel exports from our region."
Thank you for your time and attention.
* (Please note: Amanda Fritz announced that she has ALSO come out in opposition to Pembina. That’s 3 votes against it!).
[1] http://time.com/3901185/india-heatwave-death-toll-climate-change-heat-monsoon/
[2] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2565139/Capitals-worst-pollution-levels-affect-children.html
[3] http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/20/india-climate-change-slavery-idUSKBN0O522V20150520
[4] http://stephenleahy.net/2015/03/
My primary reason for being here this morning to ask the City Council to write and adopt an energy policy that prohibits ALL FUTURE fossil fuel export projects from coming through our city. By this I mean ANY project involving the storage and transfer of oil, coal, liquefied natural gas and propane. I’ll give you 3 sound reasons for this request.
Reason #1. Climate change is already killing and ruining the lives of the very people in Asia to whom we export fossil fuels. Recent news reports tell us:
· That over 1,800 people in India just died from record high temperatures attributed to climate-change;[1]
· That air pollution in cities like Delhi is now so bad that it’s giving young children the lungs of heavy smokers, thereby shortening their lives;[2] and
· That farmers in India have resorted to selling their children because climate change-related crop failures have left them penniless.[3]
Clearly, Asian countries need more CLEAN energy alternatives, not more fossil fuel imports.
Reason #2. The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change tells us that CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels are still rising far too fast, putting us on a devastating path of a global temperature increase of 4 or 5 degrees. These scientists and economists say that in order to save ourselves, we will need to reduce emissions by at least 40% by midcentury.[4] As a green city, Portland should be leading that effort.
Reason #3. Portland has a moral obligation to halt anything that exploits Native American and First Nations peoples – the very people whose territories are being despoiled by fracking and tar sand.
Members of Council, if we do nothing, our climate will continue to spiral out of balance. To stabilize our climate for the long term, Portland must maintain its "climate champion' status and I ask that you oppose any new fossil fuel infrastructure or fossil fuel exports from our region."
Thank you for your time and attention.
* (Please note: Amanda Fritz announced that she has ALSO come out in opposition to Pembina. That’s 3 votes against it!).
[1] http://time.com/3901185/india-heatwave-death-toll-climate-change-heat-monsoon/
[2] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome/indianews/article-2565139/Capitals-worst-pollution-levels-affect-children.html
[3] http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/20/india-climate-change-slavery-idUSKBN0O522V20150520
[4] http://stephenleahy.net/2015/03/