environment

Stream temperatures impact fish and wildlife habitat, and are easily affected by human activity. Environmental laws compel utility companies, whose clean but warm wastewater often increases stream temperatures, to spend significant amounts of money addressing their ecological impact.

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FF Audio 2011-06-24 Cleaner Rivers MP3.mp3

Spanning 5,400 acres, Forest Park shapes the Portland region’s character, identity and health. It helps ensure clean air and water, abundant wildlife habitat and access to nature for many city residents. The park is also valued for its own sake as an expression of the region’s deep and essential connection to wild places.

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2009.03.20 CC Copy.mp3

Oregon forests have long helped sustain the state’s water, air and wildlife — but they have also played a significant role in job creation and economic prosperity. Finding a balance between environmental protection and economic return is an ongoing challenge.

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FF Audio 2010-12-10 Oregon Forests.mp3

Living in a city bisected by rivers and drenched with more than 40 inches of rain a year, it’s easy for Portlanders to take water for granted — but doing so would be a mistake. Oregon as a whole is more dry than wet, and long before the Columbia River runs through Portland, it travels through the arid landscapes of northeastern Oregon. Agricultural, industrial and environmental groups have waged battle during the last two state legislative sessions over how much water to withdraw from Oregon’s rivers.

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FF Audio 2010-12-03 Politics of Water.mp3

On July 23, City Club hosts a discussion about tribal environmental stewardship with two representatives from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Cheryle Kennedy, the Tribes’ Chairwoman, will provide an overview of the ways that treaty rights and federal recognition and laws impact the region’s Native Americans, while focusing her attention on what the Grand Ronde are doing to promote culturally informed land and forestry management.

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FF Audio 2010-07-23 Tribal Environmental Stewardship copy.mp3

In a region where geological hazards – including volcanic eruptions, landslides and floods – abound, earthquakes are still perhaps Oregon’s primary natural threat. With the Oregon coast only 75 miles from a major off-shore fault line, and over 300 years of pressure building since the last significant earthquake along this fault, Oregon is at risk of a severe (up to 9.0 magnitude) earthquake that could potentially cause extensive devastation and loss of life. Since the earthquake in Haiti, many are asking: is Oregon prepared for “the big one”?

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FF Audio 2010-03-12 Earthquakes in OR copy.mp3

Environmentalists have historically used preservation and regulation as their two primary tools for solving environmental problems. More recently, the use of markets – which often reduce costs and stimulate innovation – have been added to their tool kit.

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FF Audio 2010-02-19 Green Markets.mp3

The Pacific Northwest is known around the world for its natural physical beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities. But it is easy to overlook "nearby nature" in our communities and its importance to the everyday health and well-being of the people who live, work, play and learn in cities. Urban greening, also known by names such as urban forestry and sustainable landscaping, offers an array of advantages that extend far beyond aesthetics and are profoundly important to quality of life.

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2009.10.16 Urban Ecology.mp3

Demand for natural gas has been increasing in Oregon as its population grows and businesses and utilities increase their need for energy. Most natural gas in Oregon currently comes from Canada and the Rocky Mountain states, but those sources are being partially redirected. If current trends continue, Oregon will need new supply to keep up with new demand. Establishing liquid natural gas facilities in Oregon, importing LNG from overseas and building new pipelines have been proposed as solutions to this issue. But is LNG the most cost-effective and sustainable answer?

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July 18 2008.MP3

Vibrant parks contribute to what makes Portland a great place to live, work and play. On June 20, Zari Santner, director of Portland Parks & Recreation, will explore the richness of the city’s parks system and explain how she is addressing the challenges of managing park resources and distributing those resources equally.