5 Green Ideas to Celebrate On Earth Day

As Portland City Commissioner, I will be a strong advocate to assure that Portland meets the challenges of Global Warming. My core environmental value as City Commissioner comes down to a simple question:

Will this decision contribute to reducing our carbon footprint?

We have an opportunity to make Portland a world-class example for sustainable living.

Here are just a few of my Green ideas:

1) Lead the Green Economy

I will work to demonstrate that green public policy is also good for Portland's economy. More businesses and citizens are beginning to understand that sustainable practices make good economic sense. I will support the steady expansion of the LEED certification to make Portland an international center for green building and industries. This will diversify the city's job base and make Portland, and our region, the logical first place to apply new practices and technology.

We are revising the Portland Comprehensive Plan. Each component of that new plan should reflect out city's commitment to sustainability.

2) Ross Island: An Urban Wildlife Treasure

As City Commissioner, I will champion the full realization of Ross Island as an urban wildlife sanctuary - one of the crown jewels of our nationally recognized urban landscape. Few cities in the world have such an opportunity to bring nature fully into the downtown core of a city. I will act as bridge between all parties who have an interest in the restoration and careful management of the islands. Champions like Mike Houck worked toward this goal for decades. Following through on this once in a life time opportunity will make sure we and our children preserve this wild space and beautiful urban landscape for generations to come.

3) Parks and Green Spaces Are a Basic Right

I will seek the role of Parks Commissioner and advocate for increased funding for parks, community gardens, farmer's markets, green spaces, and regional trails. The Coalition for a Livable Future's Regional Equity Atlas highlights the fact that Portland still has park and open space deficient areas as well as over-utilized sports fields. In many cases, our parks need to be more attractive to families as a means of promoting a more active and healthy citizenry. Park and open space deficiencies are much higher in low income areas.
We all know that the environmental, physical and mental health of neighborhoods is supported by green spaces. I will support planning that calls for green spaces within 5 minutes walking distance. I believe that living in a neighborhood with trees and green spaces is the right of every Portlander.

4) Advocate for Sustainability's Triple Bottom Line

Too often choices to create a sustainable community are misunderstood as a series of absolute trade-offs. I want to help change Portland's approach to sustainability. Every planning decision should consider a broader set of success criteria. Will the plan: improve livability, improve the environment, and strengthen the economy? (People, Planet, Profit)

We can continue to make progress towards a greener Portland even when the results are not perfectly balanced. Sometimes progress can be measured as a new green business that strengthens our local economy and protects the environment but has a relatively small affect on neighborhood livability. Other times, we may add a new park to an underserved neighborhood that improves the environment and livability but has a very small effect on the economy. The important change in thinking is that even when not all three elements are in perfect balance, we can still move toward a more sustainable future. I will bring Portlanders together to consider and make progress across each of these outcomes.

5) Help Portland's Neighborhoods Lead

I will be a strong advocate for community based solutions. Locally developed green plans nourish an investment in the implemented solutions. Often, neighborhoods move faster than any "master plan." My staff will be committed to recognize and serve the remarkable creativity of our citizens. City Hall needs to be an incubator, not an impediment, for good ideas coming from our neighborhoods.

Nick believes in protecting the environment and working to ensure that Portland is the most sustainable city in the nation. This includes:

• Reducing the city's carbon emissions
• Reducing the amount of energy the city consumes
• Protecting and cleaning the Willamette and Columbia Rivers
• Reducing the amount of water consumed by the city
• Incentivize people to drive less, take more public transportation, and drive alternative fuel vehicles

Now, more than ever, is the time to start focusing on our environment. This Earth Day, do your part and help elect the candidate willing to work for a better, more sustainable Portland. Please consider a $22 contribution today, so we can work for a better tomorrow.