Oregon ill-prepared for climate change, study asserts

Oregon is ill-prepared to deal with increased drought, wildfires, higher sea levels, disease and other potential disasters associated with global climate change, says a reporta report issued today by the Governor's Climate Change Integration Group.

The Governor's report provides a detailed analysis of strategies needed to cope with climate change, ways to adapt Oregon's economy to meet new demands that will grow as a result of climate change, and industries that are leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

Major findings include the following:

• Oregon needs to reduce its CO2 emissions by nearly 80 percent of projected totals over the next 20 years by committing to a less carbon intensive transportation system that includes increased rail for shipping while increasing emissions standards for CO2 emissions for the fleet of autos sold in Oregon. The commission recommends higher standards for automotive tires, and targeted incentives for high efficiency vehicles.
• Oregon should integrate greenhouse effects into land use decisions as part of the Big Look process.
• Oregon should enter into cap and trade carbon offsets with other states and Canadian provinces
• Oregon should increase preservation of existing Oregon rain forests, since deforestation is the cause of approximately 18 percent of the increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Oregon should increase funding for research and development grants to the University of Oregon System to develop greenhouse gas reduction technologies.

The report notes that Oregon has already adopted policies that should yield significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, but says that more stringent steps are needed.