Solving climate change will take all of us

Here in Oregon we are already experiencing the impacts of climate change with more extreme weather events and heat waves, prolonged wildfire seasons, record breaking drought and coastal erosion. The past few years have been a real wake up call that each of us needs to do all that we can to reduce the pollution causing climate change.

In addition to voting for leaders who prioritize climate change and making our voices heard with elected officials, there is a lot that we can do as consumers to reduce our impact, including investing in rooftop solar, clean transportation, ditching gas and electrifying our homes. Not only do these help reduce climate pollution and our dependence on fossil fuels, it can also improve our health and safety and overall quality of life. Investing in rooftop solar, electric vehicles and home electrification can help you use less energy and have lower energy costs, get the most out of the energy you use, along with the peace of mind that your dollars are going towards solutions. 

Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center, with the support of the Energy Foundation, has put together a monthly “solutions to climate change” webinar series, where we walk through what adopting these technologies looks like step by step, and what incentives are available. But perhaps most helpfully, we have Oregonians who have recently adopted the technologies share their experience, give advice and answer questions. 

Here are some additional resources on rooftop solar:
Environment Oregon’s guide to going solar
Shining Cities report
OSSIA’s member directory
Energy Trust Solar Incentives
A&R Solar website

Here are some additional resources about incentives available for electric vehicles:

Frequently Asked Questions: Electric Vehicles
Federal Tax Credits for New All-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (Oregon DEQ)
Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate Program website
PGE incentives for charging
Pacific Power incentives for charging

Here are some additional resources on home electrification:
Electrify your home (Electrify Now)– sign up for their monthly newsletter for regular updates
Electric Buildings 2021 (Environment America)
Gas stoves: A hidden risk in plain sight (USPIRG Education Fund)
In the market for a new stove? Consider induction (USPIRG Education Fund)
Heat pump incentives (Energy Trust of Oregon)

Here are some additional resources on e-bikes:
Charged Up! Electric Bike Factsheet (Environment America)

Please feel free to reach out to Environment Oregon staff if you have questions about any of these clean energy technologies. Good luck!