2020 will be a year to remember. Fortunately, we don’t only have to remember it for a global pandemic, wildfires, an economic recession, racial justice protests, and locust swarms. Plenty of exciting and positive things happened in the energy space throughout the year. Here we list our top eleven (in no particular order). 1. Coal Is on Its Way Out US power companies announced the retirement of more than a dozen coal plants in 2020, representing 26 gigawatts of power. And in Europe, coal plant retirements outpaced the commissioning of new generation for the first time. And while other regions may not be as quick to phase out coal as…
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Electrify Coalition’s Monthly Webinars on Electrification
Interested in learning more about Electrification as a way to solve Climate Change? Join Electrify Now for monthly conversations as we dive deep into how and why to electrify – we will cover everything from the practicalities of installing electric devices in your home to exciting new solutions that hold promise for decarbonizing our economy. Here are our scheduled webinars to start 2021 January – All Electric Fireplaces February – Renewable Hydrogen and Electrification March – Sequestration Week April – Electric Vehicles May – All Electric Lawn Care Register for these webinars and learn more at their website https://electrifynow.net/electrify-coalition-webinars
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Solar Oregon 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting
Free Event Solar Oregon’s 2020 Annual Meeting’s keynote speaker will be internationally-esteemed regenerative economy thought leader Hunter Lovins–founder of the nonprofit Natural Capitalism Solutions. Hunter will address her recent work regarding the Solar Dominance Hypothesis, which has far-reaching implications for global economics, policy, and the social impact of an abrupt clean energy transformation. There will also be 5-minute presentations from several local leaders in Oregon who are tackling issues of climate and climate justice on the ground. Following these exciting presentations, Solar Oregon’s board nominations for 2020 will be voted on by our members. 5 Minute Speakers: Jaimes Valdez, Portland Clean Energy Fund Startup Team – For the past year and a half,…
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SOLAR OREGON Go Zero Virtual Tour 2020
Wed, Oct. 14th @ 4-6 PM Wed & Oct. 21st @ 4-6 PM Residential buildings account for almost a quarter of all energy usage in the state of Oregon. Zero energy home design is an important strategy in climate adaptation. Join Solar Oregon for two premier virtual explorations of zero energy homes across the state. At the Go Zero Tour 2020, part of Sustainable Building Week you can explore a mix of new and retrofit homes all from the safety and comfort of your home. Learn all the surprisingly simple, accessible, and innovative strategies that homeowners use for getting to zero. This is a two part event–all ticket types get you…
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Oregon Solar Energy Conference
Solar industry jobs provide clean and renewable energy to people in all 50 states. In Oregon, there are over 160 companies working to deploy more solar across the state and are in need of diverse skills and talent.
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Solar Oregon’s 8th Annual Solar Winery Tour
** Rescheduled to Sat. August 16th This year is special: to give the greatest access and highest quality experience during COVID, we are excited to bring you an innovative, fully virtual tour, complete with home wine tastings. From the comfort and safety of our homes, we will travel to Adelsheim vineyards, Torii Mor Vineyard, and Alexana winery. Our Winery Hosts this year are Adelsheim vineyards, Torii Mor Vineyard and Alexana winery. Spend an incredible virtual day in the Willamette valley. Drink wine, eat great food, and support clean energy! For more info: www.solaroregon.org
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Hang Drying Revolution
Air drying clothes is a simple practice that offers enormous savings in power use and reduces pollution.
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City of Portland Fix it Fairs
For the last 4 years, Green Living Journal has participated in the Free Fix-It Fair City of Portland event where you can learn simple ways to save money and connect with resources. Attendees find a wealth of information! What you’ll find at a Fix-It Fair Ongoing exhibits and hourly workshops on such topics as: Water and energy savings Safe and healthy home Food and nutrition Neighborhood and community resources Recycling Weatherizing your home Gardening and growing your own food Yard care and composting Transportation Plus: Repair Café: Bring one item to be fixed by a Repair PDX volunteer, while learning how to do it yourself. (Volunteers will do their best, but…
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Solar Oregon’s 40th Birthday Bash
Thursday, December 5, 5:30 – 9:00 PM – Vacasa HQ 850 Northwest 13th Avenue Portland, OR 97209 Solar Oregon is turning 40 and celebrating 4 decades of promoting clean energy. To be around as non-profit for 40 years is a testament to the support of the community, the strength of the many board members and staff who have guided it and the relevance of this organization’s work.Solar Oregon was founded to offer an alternative to nuclear power during the 1970’s and 80’s. Back then electricity produced by the sun was only in the research lab and solar energy consisted of a couple of passive solar and water heating applications. Fast forward…
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Changing Direction
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.” — Thomas Paine, from the introduction to Common Sense. For more than 200, years we have accepted the burning of fossil fuels as the way to power our rapidly changing modern world. For more than 100 years, we have accepted the gasoline-powered car for personal mobility. For more 70 years, we have accepted crop hybridization, chemical fertilizers and herbicides as the means to feed our exploding population. For more than 60,…
