A commitment to climate justice in Multnomah County
Climate justice is a priority for Multnomah County. The impacts of the climate crisis have shown up in our own backyards. Multnomah County continues to find opportunities to help our community to stay healthy, safe, and resilient.
We are now accepting public comments on the DRAFT Climate Justice Plan. Your feedback is vital and will directly shape the Climate Justice Plan. Comments are due by May 11, 2025.
The change we’ve experienced in this region has had a major impact on the way that Multnomah County residents experience the seasons, and at times, their day to day lives. Wildfires and its smoke have choked the air we breathe, extreme heat and longer periods of high temperatures have cost precious human lives, and these have added to the many strains that our communities already face every day to thrive, or even survive. Many of us are reckoning with the reality that the Oregon that we once knew is different.
In light of the challenges created by the climate crisis, Multnomah County is prioritizing showing up for residents where they are, addressing the root causes of injustices, and creating opportunities to strengthen our community’s climate resilience. The Climate Justice Plan is a blueprint for community and government collaboration to address fossil fuel pollution, climate resilience, and the root causes of injustice. You can take action today by commenting on the draft or signing up to attend our Earth Day webinar.
What Multnomah County is doing
Multnomah County staff have worked to understand the disparities faced by residents throughout the county. By confronting the challenges facing our communities today and acknowledging the reasons for their existence, it’s obvious how much work there is to do. County staff have intentionally created and nurtured relationships with community partners to design programs that address ongoing needs, develop policies that uplift public health, and support community-driven solutions that serve people and future generations to come.
Some examples of recent reports, programs, policies, and events that Multnomah County has worked on include:
- Holding big oil accountable for climate damage
- Regional Climate and Health Monitoring Reports
- Improving water quality and fish habitat
- Supporting Black farmer business development and community food access
- Heat Vulnerability Index
- Advocating for the Just Energy Transition: 100% clean energy by 2050
- Wood Burning Exchange Program
- Supporting youth STEAM education and community air quality monitoring
- Document
- Document
- East County Learn Share Do Fair
- Renaming the bridge that connects to Sauvie Island to honor Native American nations
The latest evolution in the County’s work to address climate change is the Climate Justice Plan (CJP). The CJP represents a significant step forward in Multnomah County's ongoing commitment to climate justice and uplifting the voices of frontline communities. The plan was co-developed with frontline community based organizations and individuals who worked as a Steering Committee of co-equals with staff. It builds on the County's existing climate justice initiatives, and is rooted in strategies that are ambitious, necessary and achievable.
After the climate justice plan public comment period, staff and the Steering Committee will work together to incorporate recommendations. Once the Steering Committee has approved the final plan, the plan will be submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for their official endorsement in the summer of 2025.