Energy and Environment

As we recognize this World Oceans Day, we understand that a healthy ocean is a necessity. Our ocean sustains life. Our economic well-being is tied to a clean ocean for fishing, tourism and other industries. For years, the ocean has literally "taken the heat" for us and mitigated the effects of rising global temperatures. The ocean absorbs human-caused pollution, making it acidic and less habitable to species of all sorts. We must be mindful not to exact any more damage.

With wildfire season approaching, emergency planners urged Oregonians in rural areas to be prepared while health care professionals called on lawmakers to fund low-cost measures to protect residents.

The letter was followed by another from four of Oregon's U.S. representatives -- Greg Walden, Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici -- late last month to the U.S. Forest Service chief, asking for details on the agency's preparations for the wildfire season during the pandemic.

The 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day looks a little different from those that came before it. Rallies have been canceled, climate strikes have been relegated to living rooms, and protests, once planned to fill the streets, have moved online.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, the only member of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis from the Pacific Northwest, will host a webinar discussion from 2 to 3 p.m. with environmental groups from throughout the region, including Climate Solutions, The Nature Conservancy and the Oregon Environmental Council.