Business Leaders Need Systemic Thinking
Read TRIG Director Bob Doppelt's article that outlines the five inter-related commitments that can help leaders make the shift from linear to systems thinking, Business Leaders Need Systemic Thinking for Sustainability (appearing in The Guardian's Sustainable Business Leadership Hub - May 18, 2012).
Making a Moral Call to Action on Climate Change
TRIG director Bob Doppelt participates in the Interfaith Moral Action on Climate events in Washington D.C. over Earth Day.
Release of New Health and Climate Guidebook
TRIG and Biositu, LLC, announce the release of Public Health and Climate Change: A Guide for Increasing the Capacity of Local Public Health Departments. Climate change is already impacting public health around the world, a trend that can be expected to increase in the United States and elsewhere as temperatures rise. Responding to the seriousness of the coming challenge, many local health departments have started integrating planning for the health impacts of climate change into existing programs in spite of stretched budgets and time. The new guidebook provides a much-needed framework for initiating and integrating climate planning within county, regional, and tribal public health departments and agencies. The strategies and activities presented in the guidebook enhance efforts to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for impacts. An upcoming series of webinars will complement the guidebook and further build institutional capacity to prepare for the health impacts of climate change. Read more about our work with the public health sector here.
Greenpower Grant Fuels "Solarize Eugene"
Solarize Eugene is modeled after similar successful projects that have enabled other Oregon communities to increase their solar installations by 200% to 500%, despite the recession. This is a community-led process, and TRIG staff will work directly with volunteers to make this solar volume-purchasing project a success. See the recent Register Guard article on the program. Read more about our Community Energy projects here.
Toward A Resilient Watershed
TRIG's latest planning guide serves as a supplement to watershed assessments by posing questions of how climate change will impact the structure and function of the watershed. Toward a Resilient Watershed: Addressing Climate Change Planning in Watershed Assessments helps watershed managers understand how future climate scenarios could affect their management decisions and identifies proactive measures to improve the resilience of stream habitat and water quality. Click here to read more.
A Shared Vision of Resilience
The idea of bringing local governments together to build resiliency to common problems - such as extreme weather events, economic hardship and water management - via a "Compact" was spawned after TRIG led successful Climate Future Forums throughout the Willamette Valley and developed a similar initiative in the Miami-Dade County region of Florida. The first-ever Willamette Valley Resilience Compact Summit, sponsored by TRIG and hosted by the Center for Sustainable Communities at Willamette University, was held on December 12, 2011. Representatives and elected officials, along with state agencies and supporting organizations, all shared ideas for joining forces to create a sustainable future for the valley and its inhabitants. A draft Compact will be finalized in 2012, representing the intention of all participants to continue working toward a shared vision of resilience for the Willamette Valley. Read more about this innovative project. Read local press about the Summit here.
Community Solar Tool
In conjunction with the University of Oregon, TRIG has developed an innovative Community Solar Tool (CST) to help increase and expedite community-based renewable energy projects across the country. This sophisticated online tool allows communities to plan and implement local "solar gardens" according to their specific needs. Our goal is to significantly increase the use of renewable solar energy and give communities the capacity to build solar energy projects for the benefit of their residents and the environment. Click here for more information and to view the draft CST on line.
PNW Climate Conference
TRIG is a sponsor of the 2nd Annual Pacific Northwest Climate Conference hosted by the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group September 13-14, 2011 in Seattle. Our presentation, "Bridging the Gap Between Climate Impacts Research and Regional Policy Makers and Actors" describes how TRIG's Climate Futures Forum process provides a model for integrating local expertise with scientific information to help communities develop effective climate adaptation plans. Click here to hear the presentation by Stacy Vynne of TRIG's Climate Leadership Initiative.
SE Florida Climate Compact Award
Four SE Florida counties were recognized for their achievement by the National Association of Counties in implementing the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact.
The Compact is the first of its kind, involving a major commitment between counties to reduce emissions and actively prepare for climate impacts through a robust climate action plan. TRIG staff has been instrumental in the success of this project since its creation in 2009 - read more here.
Read our Latest Reports:
American Climate Attitudes
TRIG's Social Capital Project completed important new research on trends in public opinion regarding climate change and how they have changed over time in the recently released report, American Climate Attitudes. SCP Director Cara Pike and Senior Associate Meredith Herr hope the new information will help climate practitioners better communicate with the public about projected impacts and how to prepare for or adapt to those impacts. Read more about SCP here.
Building Climate Resiliency
TRIG's Climate Leadership Initiative releases the fourth in a series of reports capping an 18-month project to engage local experts and stakeholders in how to prepare for a changing climate in the Lower Willamette Valley. Read more here.