Why Portland is as important—or possibly more so—than Copenhagen

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I’m really glad that I was in Portland instead of Copenhagen on Dec. 7. It was only coincidental that my first day as president of The Climate Trust was the first day of international climate negotiations in Denmark, but it was also symbolic. That’s because I believe in the need for climate policy, but I believe the need for climate action is even greater.

To avoid the worst climate change impacts, the global community must deploy climate change solutions at a pace and breadth rivaling the space race — keeping in mind that the stakes in the climate race are so much greater than simply Cold War one-upmanship. The United States can show leadership in this new race just as it did in the last one: by harnessing American optimism, ingenuity and hard work to, in this case, innovate our way out of a potential worldwide crisis. The key is collective action on the part of individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations and local governments.

The only way to fix an overwhelming global problem such as climate change is to start where you live and work. In Oregon, we can develop local climate solutions that can be replicated in other communities and we can continue to develop low-carbon or carbon-free technologies and processes. Doing the work before climate policy is enacted will enable us to scale up our solutions once binding national and international emission reduction targets are in place.

For example, Shorepower Technologies installed electric pedestals at six truck stops in Oregon and Washington that allow truckers to power their appliances and heat and cool their cabs using grid electricity instead of idling their diesel engines. The Climate Trust’s carbon finance was essential for installation of the new technology, which reduces carbon emissions, lowers truckers’ fuel costs, generates new revenue for participating truck stop owners, and reduces air and noise pollution. This pilot project was just awarded $22.2 million in federal stimulus money to expand to 50 locations nationwide, in the hopes that it will revolutionize the transportation sector, which generates nearly one-third of U.S. emissions.

Imagine what a difference we could make if there was such a solution for every sector of the economy. Well, there is. In the building sector we are providing incentives to use lower-carbon cement. In the agricultural sector we are converting cow manure into energy. In the industrial sector we are retrofitting plants to capture and use industrial byproducts such as steam to make energy. We need to employ such solutions on larger scales and continue to develop new ones. Our way of life — and when it comes down to it our very survival — depend on it.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” I suggest this corollary: “Do the change you want to see in the world.” That’s why I’m in Portland. I want to be in the company of those who are doing climate change mitigation.

Ben Vitale is the new president of The Climate Trust, which has been providing local climate change solutions since 1997. He may be reached at bvitale@climatetrust.org.