We have surpassed a milestone humanity has not reached in over 6,000 years, and it is not good. According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association (NOAA), the earth is at 421 ppm of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, 50 percent higher than the start of the industrial revolution and increasing 2 ppm each year. Scientists say 350 ppm is the allowable level humans can sustainably live at.
The burning of fossil gas, coal and oil has put us at this level, and we are cooking the planet. A rapid transition off of burning gas and oil and using electric energy sourcing through renewables will help us reduce carbon emissions.
Nationally, the Biden administration has enacted the Defense Production Act to manufacture energy efficient heat pumps and solar panels making climate change and clean energy a natural security issue.
Locally, we need to phase out gas appliances, and the city could require the Downtown Riverfront proposed multi-dwelling buildings be electric and not locked in for 30 years of fossil gas for appliances. This, and passing an ordinance making all new residential construction be energy sourced by electricity, would help the city reach their Climate Recovery Ordinance goals.
Increasing two ppm of CO2 per year, we do not have time to procrastinate. We are already experiencing the consequences.
Jim Neu
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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