1. Strengthen the Plan and Set More Measurable Targets.

• Too many targets are set too low. The Plan needs to be strengthened in numerous ways to get us to 80% emissions reduction by 2050.

• Too many Objectives and Actions are lacking in quantitative commitments and measures that would insure accountability for achieving them.

2. Partner and Decentralize.

• Partner and coordinate with the many existing nonprofit and citizen groups doing work related to the goals of the CAP. This will be increasingly critical as public funding becomes scarcer. Leverage existing systems to achieve efficiencies and maximize resources.

• Establish a system such as an Advisory Council for each Action Area to accomplish the needed coordination and networking among stakeholders, and to oversee that Area’s progress from here out to 2050. Where advisory groups currently exist, consider expanding them to inject fresh ideas into discussions. City/County staff time used to convene and staff such councils should be amply repaid by the resulting efficiencies.

• Support and enable decentralized solutions at a neighborhood level, including education efforts (detailed in next theme). Some solutions can be more effectively implemented on a smaller scale, and local implementation will support getting as much of the citizenry as possible engaged in this effort. Plus, encouraging local projects will help increase interdependence among community members and increase community resilience.

• Establish a Green Grants program for neighborhood and other community groups to support educational programs and local projects such as neighborhood composting, tool libraries, and other approaches to developing local infrastructure and sharing resources.

• Communities must be empowered in a variety of ways to implement the educational and other projects needed to help meet the goals of the CAP. A climate change coordination system must allow for information to pass not only from the City/County but also to the City/County from the public.

3. Engage and Educate the Community.

• Recognize publicly that climate change is a life-changing event and even though it lacks the Pearl Harbor type of stimulus for action, it deserves that kind of commitment by citizens and government to our mutual survival. Based on that, take the following steps:

• Establish a Community Engagement Coordination Office in the Office of Sustainable Development to network with and support education efforts of community groups, neighborhoods, non-profits, K-12 schools, faith communities and other groups. Make use of existing systems to engage communities.

• Integrate carbon reduction education efforts at neighborhood levels and offer grants to local groups for community education. These efforts would illuminate the connections between healthier lifestyles with more walking and biking, enhanced social relationships from sharing resources with neighbors, buying local food (and buying more products in bulk), and less emphasis on shopping and consumption. Community groups are better positioned than government to experiment with more engaging and far-reaching approaches to reach both adults and children.

• Brand the campaign. Plant the message strongly with a recognizable logo, but offer a variety of involvement options so that everyone can participate in some way.

• Create training modules (including train the trainer) on carbon reduction for households, businesses and other organizations. Inform neighborhoods of carbon reduction priorities based on their energy use, transportation and waste disposal patterns.

• Create a “new and improved” Multnomah County Extension Service that takes advantage of the power of the Web to help create a truly sustainable food system, and provides classes on gardening, soil management, animal husbandry, cooking, canning, preserving and other important skills related to the production and use of local food.

• Work with other organizations already active in climate change education and mitigation, including but not limited to Transition PDX, Northwest Earth Institute, Oregon Interfaith Power and Light, City Repair, Portland Peak Oil and Bright Neighbor.

• Include students at every level in the discussion of how best to promote healthy, low-carbon diets and other aspects of a low carbon lifestyle. Seek their opinions about this City/County Climate Action Plan. Ensure that their views are heard by decision-makers so they feel empowered and optimistic about their future.

4. Promote Justice and Equity.

• Prioritize providing resources and educational programs for underserved groups such as those in low-income neighborhoods, renters, apartment dwellers, etc.

• Inclusivity and cultural sensitivity are paramount in engaging the public. Seek guidance of community leaders in carrying out the information sharing and education that will lead to behavior change among all groups.

• In assessing climate change related vulnerabilities and inherent community strengths, the City/County should engage all constituent populations in the assessment process and as partners in developing plans to prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change. Be aware that the poor will be hit hardest by climate change as well as any emergency situation.

5. Lay the foundations for 20-minute neighborhoods.

• Design a comprehensive transit system on a grid in which no one has to walk more than ¼ mile to reach a bus or rail line.

• Integrate new zoning principles with transit lines to provide for denser residential development and for commercial development and small manufacturing at intersections of transit routes.

• Support small, local businesses and employment opportunities within neighborhoods, for example in the low-cost financing program for energy performance improvements.

6. Remove Obstacles.

• All levels of government need to recognize and eliminate the numerous legal barriers to developing creative local solutions that will fulfill the goals of the Climate Action Plan. The separate group reports give numerous examples.

• Review existing ordinances, regulations and codes in the new context posed by climate change and peak oil – which may cause shortages of food and energy – and remove all unnecessary restrictions. Work with Recode Oregon to accomplish this.

• Change the basis for zoning in neighborhoods and along transit lines from use-based to size and design-based zoning.

• Encourage experimentation by individuals, groups of individuals and entrepreneurs in reducing energy usage. Allow variances if the intent is to reduce carbon emissions.

7. Incentivize and Penalize.

• Develop both financial and non-monetary incentives for individuals and organizations whose actions support the Plan’s objectives.

• Develop disincentives and penalties for organizations whose actions create barriers to achieving the Plan’s objectives. Create obstacles to any practice that inhibits their achievement (e.g., reduce the amount of coal-generated power the City will buy from PGE; ban toxic chemicals that poison soil; stop using pesticides in public parks).

• Tax what we want to discourage. Raise tolls on the CRC to $10 at peak rush hours.

8. Integrate plans and activities for different Action Areas, and ensure interagency cooperation.

• Coordinate planning for projects in different Action Areas to ensure that actions do not conflict or compete, and fulfill multiple needs wherever possible. For example, Forestry projects need to be coordinated with those in the Buildings/Energy and the Food/Agriculture Action Areas, so trees planted don’t shade food gardens, and solar and forestry projects are appropriately sited and don’t interfere with each other.

• Thus mindsets begin to shift toward considering the entire city (or county) as a permaculture of interlocking, mutually supportive systems.

• Insist on better cooperation among bureaus. Examples: Train utility workers to be more aware of preserving tree roots and limbs.

• Extend cooperation efforts to Clackamas, Clark and Washington Counties.

9. Research best practices in municipal carbon reduction used not only in other U.S. cities but in other countries, such as Germany, Japan, Brazil and England.

10. Plan for Difficulties.

• Educate the public about the potential ramifications of climate change and the likely prospect of rising energy prices.

• In adapting to the impacts of climate change, anticipate increased conflict due to change and limited resources. Ensure that free mediation and conflict resolution training are available, and use community resources to help address interpersonal, cultural and ideological barriers to adapting to climate change.

• Re-examine the emergency plans at the City, County and state levels to verify the ability to cope with the likelihood of more frequent, highly disruptive storms, large scale disruptions of supply lines or large scale disruptions of liquid fuel supply.

• As part of the 20 minute neighborhood model, designate public buildings within a 20 minute walk that can serve as aid, communication and rest stations for volunteer emergency responders. Putting solar panels on these buildings would create islands of electricity for use at the aid/ communication/rest facilities, and would also provide an opportunity to teach people about solar power.