On Earth Day reflecting All that is She, a beauty unique The essential poised on delicate precipices Disaster and expectant becoming bubbling The swing in between enormous in weight Slumbering potential alive, awakening On this Earth Day prevent the germ Of wicked problem taking root Be hopeful for novel imaginaries sprouting Toil no more forContinue reading “A poem for Earth Day 2022”
Author Archives: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Planting roots: Lessons from my parents in sustainable living
My parents were depression-era Oklahoma farm kids who came of age at a time and place that required men and women to have practical knowledge about a bit of everything. They were carpenters, hunters, farmers, seamstresses, veterinarians and mechanics. They grew or raised their own food and preserved it for lean times.
Burning questions about burning? We have answers
Among the most frequently asked questions to DEQ at this time of year are: Am I allowed to burn yard debris in my backyard? What about smoke from my neighbor’s open burning? Here are some answers, including links to valuable resources for anyone considering setting flame to branches, leaves or other residential debris.
Ep. 10 – Environmental Justice
To celebrate Earth Day/Week/Month, Lauren and Dylan are talking about environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion – not just in general, but how this conversation is evolving at DEQ specifically. They are joined by three DEQ staff integral to this work: Natalie Nava, DEQ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator Chamille Hartman, Northwest Region WaterContinue reading “Ep. 10 – Environmental Justice”
The three most important ways Oregon is fighting climate change
cent headlines warn that the window is quickly closing to protect our future and preserve a livable planet. In Oregon, we have seen the effects of the climate crisis first-hand: hundreds of deaths from extreme heat waves; thousands of homes destroyed by wildfire; lakes and rivers drying up before our eyes; farmers without water to grow food; and the toxic algal blooms that shut down the city of Salem’s drinking water system for weeks in 2018.
It’s Food Waste Prevention Week – Learn how to reduce food waste and save money!
Governor Kate Brown has proclaimed April 4 – 8, 2022 to be Food Waste Prevention Week, and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is encouraging everyone living across the state to take simple steps to reduce waste and save money. Reducing food waste matters for a variety of reasons, including: Up to 35% of allContinue reading “It’s Food Waste Prevention Week – Learn how to reduce food waste and save money!”
Will Lauren buy an electric vehicle?
As a follow up to our electric vehicle rebates episode, Lauren went out to test drive an EV and find out more about the buying experience. At the dealership, Lauren talks to their EV rep and asks the questions she (and hopefully, you) wants to know, like:
DEQ tackles questions about so few women in STEM fields
For anyone who works in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields, all you have to do is look around to see there are very few women scientists, lab technicians, researchers, etc. In fact, according to The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Institute for Statistics, fewer than 30% of the world’s researchers are women.
Three things you need to know about Oregon’s Clean Fuels program
Oregon’s Clean Fuels program is designed to gradually make transportation fuels cleaner, and it complements programs to make vehicles cleaner. Its success and progress are reflected in three distinct outcomes….
Episode 8 – It’s Electric! (vehicles)
“Really the bottom line is we want to make sure that low and moderate income households and communities of color all have an opportunity to take advantage of getting a cleaner car for their household or organization.” Rachael Sakata, oregon department of environmenal quality Electric vehicles are everywhere! And it’s no wonder, there are nowContinue reading “Episode 8 – It’s Electric! (vehicles)”