Multnomah County Establishes Citizen
Advisory Committee for Sustainability and Innovation
In order to harness to creative energy and significant community expertise in the areas of sustainability and technological and business practice innovation, Multnomah County is establishing a citizen advisory committee. We are currently accepting applications for appointment to the advisory committee and we welcome your interest. For more information, please click here.
Multnomah County and City of Portland Jointly Adopt
Climate Action Plan!
View the Climate Action Plan here
On October 28th & 29th, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners and Portland City Council unanimously adopted the 2009 Climate Action Plan with a goal of reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions 89% by 2050. The 2009 Climate Action Plan serves as the 40-year roadmap for the institutional and individual change needed to reach this ambitious climate change goal. There are tremendous opportunities for communities that are leading the transition to a clean energy economy, including the creation of green jobs, clean technology innovation export, and a resilient local economy.
We need to work together with every citizen and every business to make the fundamental changes that will help us reach the 2050 goal. This plan identifies objectives and actions that will help residents, businesses and government work together to prevent climate change and strengthen our community's resiliency.
Multnomah County Plants a “Hope Garden”
Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack and Sustainability Manager Kat West help to plant an organic vegetable garden at the County Headquarters building.
Multnomah County and the City of Portland are partnering to plant organic vegetable gardens to recognize the growing community interest in local food systems and to inspire residents to plant their own edible gardens. “Growing food is a great way for a family to reduce food costs, spend time together, and to assist hungry families,” said Multnomah County Commissioner Judy Shiprack.
“Multnomah County recognizes that our local food system has a significant impact on the economy, health, and environment of our community,” said Multnomah County Commissioner Jeff Cogen. “And this demonstration project fits one of the county’s core missions to promote healthy people and healthy communities.”
The United States Department of Agriculture ranked Oregon third among states experiencing very low food security and an estimated 36,000 people in Multnomah County require emergency food boxes every month as they struggle to afford nutritious, affordable and culturally appropriate food. Locally grown, organic food is nutritious and healthy for our community members and our environment as it eliminates adverse chemicals and reduces shipping-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Working for a Sustainable Future
Multnomah County's Office of Sustainability was founded in 2001 to provide leadership to promote a healthy and prosperous future for Multnomah County.
The Office of Sustainability is a resource for county operations and county residents on environment, economic and social equity issues such as: energy and climate change, waste reduction and recycling, green building practices, sustainable food systems, and more.
Kat West
Director, Office of Sustainability