wed event, media and activity coordination report

Event, Media and Activity Coordination Report

OCTOBER 2013

Charlie Hales, Mayor l Nick Fish, Commissioner l Dean Marriott, Director

World Environment Day Event, Media and Coordination Activity Report l 1

What do Nairobi, Bangkok, Bahrain,

Panama City and Portland

have in common?

All five were selected by the

United Nations to be host cities for this year’s

World Environment Day Celebrations on June 5.

Established in 1972, World Environment Day

is celebrated across the globe,

focusing international attention on

environmental solutions.

World Environment Day Comes to Portland!

2 l World Environment Day Event, Media and Coordination Activity Report

World Environment Day Partners 3

Introduction 4

United Nations Invitation 7

World Environment Day Website 12

Resources and Event Calendar 13

World Environment Day on Facebook 17

World Environment Day Materials 18

RoZone Rally 24

Mae Jemison Workshop 25

Innovation Celebration 26

World Environment Day in the News 30

Results 35

Appendix A: Mayoral Speech 36

Appendix B: World Environment Day Media 43

Procession of species at the RoZone Rally on World Environment Day

Table of Contents


World Environment Day, Portland 2013 was a citywide

collaborative series of events led by the following

steering committee members.

Thanks to all Portlanders who hosted events, attended events,

celebrated by taking positive actions and learned more about

ongoing opportunities to contribute to a healthy environment.

Acknowledgements


World Environment Day

was established by the

United Nations General

Assembly to mark the

opening of the 1972

Stockholm Conference.

Celebrating World

Environment Day is about

the inspirational power of individual actions that collectively become an exponential force for

positive change. World Environment Day is celebrated around the world in many ways,

including street rallies, bicycle parades, green concerts, essay and poster competitions in

schools, tree planting, recycling efforts, clean-up campaigns and much more.

The worldwide theme this year was “Reduce Your Foodprint”. Reduce Your Foodprint is an

anti-food waste and food loss campaign that encourages people to reduce their foodprint.

The United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office of North America selected the

City of Portland to host this year’s World Environment Day (WED) spanning Earth Day, April

22, 2013 to WED, June 5, 2013 for the long-

standing environmental achievements,

policies and current initiatives. A few

examples are illustrated on the following

pages.

A collaborative effort of the City of Port-

land, community members, community

organizations, academic institutions,

agencies, businesses and non-profits came

together at hundreds of events between

Earth Day and World Environment Day.

The celebration focused international

attention on the many efforts in Portland to protect and enhance the environment. It was an

opportunity to celebrate and recognize all the good work happening in Portland every day and

most importantly, inspire us to continue moving forward.

Portland hosts World Environment Day

About World Environment Day

Why UNEP selected Portland to host WED


As the designated North American host city, the

United Nations shone the spotlight on Portland’s

legacy of sustainable living, innovative use of

green infrastructure, healthy neighborhoods and

robust public involvement, so that cities around

the world can gain new ideas and inspiration and

also challenge us to do more.

Opportunity for Portland

BRUCE MACGREGOR


United Nations Environment Programme

Invitation to Portland

Continued next page


United Nations Environment Programme Invitation to

Portland to host World Environment Day 2013


Portland accepts UNEP invitation February 13, 2013

with City Council presentations and resolution

All photos courtesy of Casey Cunningham, Portland Bureau of Environmental Services

With a City Council resolution and presentations from UNEP, Rose Festival,

Willamette Riverkeeper, Portland Audubon Society, Urban Greenspaces

Institute, comments from all the Commissioners, Mayor and more, Portland

ceremoniously accepted the UNEP invitation to host World Environment

Day in Portland 2013!


Portland City Council resolution to accept

UNEP invitation to host World Environment Day 2013


MESSAGE TO PORTLANDERS

While WED presented a great opportunity for Portlanders to shine, the opportunity came with no

funding nor added capacity. We worked via networking and encouraging all Portlanders to join in as

they saw fit. This yielded more than 200 events added to the WED calendar and a feeling of ownership

of the event throughout the community. The steering committee agreed to the following common

messaging for all organizations to use in their work.

• At the confluence of two great rivers, nestled in a valley rich with wildlife and natural treasures,

Portlanders can be continually inspired to find new ways to honor and protect the environment.

How will you celebrate?

• Bridging the gap: Join in the five weeks of celebrations starting on Earth Day through World Envi-

ronment Day on June 5th.

• Follow Portland’s World Environment Day events

at www.portlandoregon.gov/wed and on Facebook https://ww.facebook.com/2013wedportland.


The World Environment Day website was unveiled February 13, 2013 and was continually

updated through June. It includes a variety of tools and helpful resources, notably:

• Information about WED

• WED Calendar and Event Submittal

• Featured Events

WED Website

The website received

over 15,000 hits

between February

and June

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Information about the Partners

• Educational Resources


Resources and Event Calendar

We included dozens of re-

sources on a variety of sus-

tainability topics, including:

• Food Waste

• Clean Energy

• Sustainable Business

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Portland Innovations

• Climate Planning

• Green Building

• Natural Space

• Watershed Services

• City Green Blog

Over 200 Portland area events were

submitted to the event calendar


Featured WED initiatives

Intertwine Alliance—45 Days of Success

A call went out to Metro area organizations for success stories to share with the world, one

for each of the 45 days bridging the gap period between Earth Day and World Environment

Day. They doubled that goal and the stories were posted on the main UNEP website!

The stories are available on the

Intertwine website and are an

inspiring read!


15

Portlanders Rise to the Occasion

In addition to key events on Earth Day and World Environment Day, throughout the city and region

individuals, groups and agencies celebrated in a variety of meaningful ways including:

• Portland Bureau of Transportation organized a special Senior Stroll linking World Environment

Day and Lloyd Ecodistrict

• Portland Bureau of Development Services organized

special fundraising events to contribute to SNAP at

farmers markets

• 0MSI/Surfrider/Greenfire Productions celebrated

World Ocean Day (June 8) with a multi-faceted event

at OMSI

• Groundwork Portland hosted a Portland Harbor

outreach event

• SCRAP held a special workshop on reusing materials

for art

• National College of Natural Medicine produced a spe-

cial one day event– Nature, Health + Ecology: A

Forum on Well-Being and the Environment.”

• Port of Portland hosted a tour of sustainability

initiatives at the Portland Airport and posted a sign

for visitors to PDX during WED


Challenge to the Community for WED

From: http://audubonportland.org/about/newsletter-pdfs/warbler-may13

http://audubonportland.org/about/newsletter-pdfs/july2013/view

Portland Audubon Society and

Columbia Land Trust

Portland Audubon

Society and Columbia

Land Trust

challenged the

region with a goal of

50 yards certified in

the 45 days between

Earth Day and World

Environment Day.

That goal was far

exceeded for a total

of 72 new certifica-

tions in 45 days!


We created a Portland Facebook page to share news, stories, and important information.

World Environment Day on Facebook

We received 169 “likes” on

Facebook in two months.


We developed and distributed a

variety of flyers and marketing

pieces including:

• 4 versions (updates) of the

World Environment Day

Fact Sheet

• Innovation Celebration

Invitation

• RoZone Rally Flyer

• Children’s Painting

Competition Brochure

World Environment Day Materials


WED Kickoff Event at the Foster Floodplain

April 25th, marked the kick-off of

World Environment Day festivities in

Portland, with representatives from

the United Nations Environment

Programme, the City of Portland, and

partner agencies and community or-

ganizations celebrating the official

opening of the Foster Floodplain

Natural Area. This project is one

example of Portland’s many efforts

to restore streams and natural areas

in the city.

Clockwise from top left: 1) Native American Fancy

Dancers 2) Comm. Fish, Johnson Creek Water-

shed Manage Maggie Skendarian and community

members plant trees at the Foster Floodplain

Natural Area 3) Commissioner Nick Fish, Portland

Parks Director Mike Abate, Amy Fraenkel, Dean

Marriott 4) Native lupine blooming at the Foster

Floodplain Natural Area 5) Environmental Ser-

vices Director Dean Marriott and UNEP RONA

Director Amy Fraenkel

Ph

oto

s b

y B

ruce

Ma

cGre

go

r fo

r th

e B

ure

au

of

En

vir

on

me

nta

l Se

rvic

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International Children’s Painting Competition Awards

PSU Native American Student and Community Center

Pictures clockwise from left: On

cover: First-place prize,

submitted by Jessica Qiu of San

Jose, California. Top left: Sec-

ond-place prize, submitted by

Amy Zhu of Fremont, California.

Top right: Families visit the gal-

lery. Right middle: Portland's

First Lady, Nancy Hales, with

Cali Rawhouser-Mylet, Port-

land's Best Second Place Win-

ner. Bottom right: Marcellus

Omer and his artwork,

Portland’s Best First Place Win-

ner.


City Council activities for June 5th, 2013

World Environment Day in Portland!

June 5th began with a

meeting of the Mayor of the

City of Portland, President

of Metro Regional

Government, Director of

North American Office of

the United Nations

Environment Program

(UNEP) and leads from

Portland State University to

discuss potential long term

partnerships before heading

to Council for congratulatory

remarks from UNEP.


City of Portland World Environment Day

Mayoral Proclamation 2013


Portland Press Conference and Knowledge Sharing with UNEP

Clockwise from top left: 1) Mayor Hales delivers WED speech 2) Q&A during international food waste report release

3) Brian Lipinsi, WRI releasing international report. 4) Elisabeth Guilbaud-Cox, UNEP and Brian Lipinski WRI (Susan

Anderson, BPS and Amy Fraenkel UNEP in background). Below: Knowledge Sharing by Portland Food Waste

Minimization Leaders with UNEP and WRI. Moderator: Steve Cohen, Bureau Planning and Sustainability and Portland/

Multnomah Food Policy Council. Panel members: Bruce Walker, Arianne Sperry, Bureau Planning and Sustainability;

Jennifer Erickson, Metro; Renee Bogin, Portland State University; Tracy Oseran, Founder and Executive Director,

Urban Gleaners; Eecole Copen, Oregon Health & Science University; Distinguished guests: Hillary Barbour Deputy

District Director, Congressman Earl Blumenauer. All photos this page courtesy of PSU First Stop Portland

UNEP, World Resources Institute and City of Portland Press Conference and Knowledge Sharing on

Leading Portland Food Waste Minimization Programs


One of the main World Environment Day

events was a rally at the RoZone as part of the

Rose Festival. There were over 20 environ-

mentally focused exhibitors, a concert per-

formance by Joy Now, and a “procession of

species”- a parade of children and families

dressed up as animals.

Salmon Hats

Children learning about Salmon

Joy Now Performance

Salmon Storytelling Tent

Children learning about trees

Portland Rose Festival: Rozone Rally

Salmon Storytelling Tent


Students had the

opportunity to

work with

professionals and

experts in

environmental

science and green

technologies.

Source: The Skanner

Students and Dr. Mae Jemison

“Food, Water and the Environment:

What’s the Connection?”

The hands-on environmental youth workshop was

led by Dr. Mae C. Jemison. Dr. Jemison is the first

African-American female astronaut into space.

Portland high school students participated in the

workshop in which Jemison provided feedback and

guidance. The workshop took place at Roosevelt

High School. Students learned about the amount of

food wasted around the world and the vital

importance water plays in our everyday life as they

worked on solving key local and regional

environmental challenges in Portland. The students

tackled an array of environmental issues that high-

lighted the interplay between food, water and bio-

diversity, energy, health, recreation, the economy,

education and urban living. Students consulted with

experts from the United Nations Environment

Programme (UNEP) and Portland-based industry,

education, environment, regional government and

non-governmental organizations.

Photos by Source: The Skanner

“What we like to do is work with

teachers and students to really have

them learn something in a very experi-

ential way. When you experience

something, you learn it better. And we

know, especially when you are working

with teenagers that they need to use

all their motivation and enthusiasm to

apply to a problem.”

-Dr. Mae Jemison

Workshop with Dr. Mae Jemison


On June 6th, we hosted a World Environment Day Innovation

Celebration. There were remarks from City Officials, university

leaders, and other change-makers on solutions that led to

Portland’s honor as host city for World Environment Day 2013.

There were remarks by Amy Fraenkel, Director of the United

Nations Environment Programme of North America.

The event also featured Bella Gaia performed by Director,

Composer and Violinist Kenji Williams. Bella Gaia shared

visualizations of Hotspots and Hopespots and humanity’s

presence on earth as seen from space. Stories selected for Bella

Gaia’s multimedia show come from UNEP and NASA science

data, and were created to inspire future solutions thinkers.

The event also featured Gary Braasch, a Portland-based

environmental photojournalist, His project World View of Global

Warming documents climate change science, effects and

solutions. His work is featured in UN publications, books,

magazines, postage stamps, apps, and museum exhibitions.

All photos by Bruce MacGregor for the City of Portland

Innovation Celebration June 6th

2013 World Trade Center

200 people attended the

capstone event




Over 200 people attended the Innovation Celebration

celebrating World Environment Day in Portland 2013.

The event included a keynote from Oregon First Lady

Cylvia Hayes. A video welcome from Congresswoman

Suzanne Bonamici kicked off the evening program held

at the World Trade Center.


In addition to the speakers, exhibitors included: PSU, UofO, PCC, BES, BPS,

Climate Solutions, Imagine Energy, Lucid Energy, Wisdom of the Elders,

United Nations University Regional Center of Expertise coordinating group,

SOLVE, Ecotrust, Tualatin SWCD, Lewis and Clark College,

NW Earth Institute, Hands On Greater Portland




WED in the News

In sum, Portland WED received coverage in

dozens of media stories via local, regional,

national and international media via print

newspapers, newsletters, websites, press

releases and social media.


WED in the News

Clockwise from Top Left: 1) Mae Jemison Workshop

featured in the Skanner 2) Mayor Hales remarks fea-

tured on Sustainable Business Oregon 3) City Green


WED in the News


WED in the news June 2013

VIDEO

Innovation Celebration

Portland Community College live coverage and edited video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3F9SMu0z6M&feature=c4-

overview&list=UUN466LfbD0UoUAFM9MbNQIA

Sustainable Today TV coverage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDIyOs7mm8c

FOOD WASTE

Catholic Sentinel

http://www.catholicsentinel.org/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=35&ArticleID=21780

Sustainable Business Oregon

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2013/06/wed2013-with-portland-

backdrop.html

PRESS CONFERENCE,

WED IN GENERAL AND MORE

Sustainable Business Oregon

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2013/06/wed2013-hales-calls-for.html

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2013/06/its-world-environment-day-how-are-

you.html

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/articles/2013/06/wed2013-asofenixs-jaime-

munoz.html

Portland Tribune

http://portlandtribune.com/sl/153803-portland-takes-center-stage-for-world-environment-

day

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9 news/153981 hales says state should end fossilfuel investments

Oregon Public Broadcasting

http://www.opb.org/news/article/portland-among-4-cities-noted-by-uns-world-environment-

day/


WED in the news continued

https://www.facebook.com/oregonpublicbroadcasting/posts/10151633222584939

Willamette Week

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-30273-hales_calls_on_city_.html

Rose Festival media

MetroScope Podcast

http://www.metroscopepdx.com/podcasting.php

KPTV

http://www.kptv.com/category/230512/rose-festival

Radio Disney

http://radio.disney.go.com/music/yourstation/portland/06052013-93464.html

1THING

http://portland.1thingus.com/celebrating-world-environment-day


MAE JEMISON WORKSHOP

Oregonian:

http://www.oregonlive.com/gresham/index.ssf/2013/06/

astronaut_mae_jemison_teaches.html

Portland Tribune:

http://portlandtribune.com/

pt/9-news/154416-students-

see-green-as-world-

environment-day-ideas-grow

The Skanner:

http://www.theskanner.com/

article/Dr-Mae-Jemison-Holds-

Environmental-Workshop-

with-Portland-Students-2013-

06-06

INNOVATION

CELEBRATION/BELLA

GAIA

http://climatesolutions.org/cs-

journal/highlights-from-world-

environment-day-in-portland

WED in the news June 2013

MAYOR’S SPEECH AT PRESS CONFERENCE

350.ORG

Dear Friends,

Great news! Yesterday, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales announced his support for fossil fuel divestment and urged the entire state of Oregon to divest.

“By acting locally,” Mayor Hales declared in a speech for World Environment Day, “we can send a message to the world that investment in fossil fuels is a losing proposition, and that loosening our dependence on fossil fuels will increase our quality of life.”

Portland joins over a dozen other cities across the country, five colleges, and a growing number of churches (including St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Portland) that have all committed to pursue divestment.

If you’re inspired by Portland’s announcement and want to help get your religious institution, college or alma mater, or another public institutions to divest, you can find or start a campaign by clicking here: campaigns.gofossilfree.org/

Yesterday’s announcement is a direct result of some incredible organizing by 350 PDX, our local 350.org chapter in Portland. For the last few months, they’ve been building momentum for divestment through a grassroots effort that included petitioning the Portland City Council and meeting directly with city council members.

“Given that our atmosphere recently reached the dubious milestone of 400ppm of CO2, we are thrilled not only that our Mayor recognizes the urgency of the issue, but that he also recognizes fossil fuels as risky long term investments,” said 350 PDX organizer Adam Brunelle.

Now that Portland and Eugene are on board, it will be important to get more Oregon cities to commit to divestment and keep pushing the state to take action. As Mayor Hales said, “The City must urge the Oregon State Treasurer, the Local Government Investment Pool and the Oregon Investment Council to divest of all state holdings in fossil fuels.”

If you haven’t already joined up with 350 PDX, now’s a great time to get involved. You can learn more about the organization, get a schedule of upcoming events, and sign up for their local mailing list by visiting: 350PDX.org

It’s been inspiring to watch this divestment campaign spread all across the country and around the world. We also got news from Australia today that the Greens there are going to be pushing the country’s $85 billion Future Fund, the country’s major pension fund, to divest from fossil fuels. From Portland to Sydney, we’re gaining momentum!

Go team, Jay


• WED was featured by over 30 media outlets including print, electronic and video coverage

• 15,000 WED website hits

• 172 Facebook likes

• 300+ events entered onto WED calendar

• City Council resolution accepting UNEP invitation to host WED

• Mayoral proclamation for June 5th as WED

• Mayoral speech with several environmental pledges for WED

• Launch of Our Common Ground with Mayor Hales as 1st signatory

• Hundreds of attendees at special Rose Festival Rozone event for WED

• Hundreds of attendees at finale WED event with presentations by First Lady of Oregon,

UNEP North America Director, City of Portland, Metro Regional Government and City of

Forest Grove leaders in addition to multi-media and musical performances.

• WED presence in major Rose Festival parades

• 3 visits from UNEP to Portland including presentations to Urban Ecosystem Research Con-

sortium, City Council (twice) Rozone event, Innovation Celebration, Foster Floodplain

Natural Areas celebration and WED kick-off, Sister City/Royal Rosarian event and multiple

site visits for UNEP of Portland highlights to share with the world

• Participation in WED by dozens of groups including:

Travel Portland, Rose Festival, First Stop Portland, Portland Community College, Royal

Rosarians, Portland State University, Port of Portland, University of Oregon, Wisdom of

the Elders, Intertwine Alliance, Portland Audubon, NOAA, PNCA, St. Vincent de Paul,

City of Portland Bureaus of Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Sustain-

ability, Development Services, Office of Healthy Working Rivers and Portland Bureau

of Environmental Services, Portland Farmers Market, Climate Solutions, Hands on

Greater Portland and so many more.

Results

Thanks Portland!


Appendix A

Appendix A: Full Text Mayor Hales’

Speech June 5, 2013 for World Environ-

ment Day as it appeared in Sustainable

Business Oregon on Wednesday, June 5,

2013.

http://sustainablebusinessoregon.com/

articles/2013/06/wed2013-hales-calls-

for.html?page=all


Mayoral Speech World Environment Day June 5, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen. Portlanders and visitors. Welcome to the 2013 North American World

Environment Day.

I want to welcome representatives of the United Nations Environment Programme.

When we welcome people to Portland, it’s good to remind them, and ourselves, that Portland

is not here – in this exact spot – by accident. This spot drew civilization to it. This spot is the

confluence of two great river systems: The mighty Columbia, which has a drainage basin

roughly the size of France. And the Willamette River, one of the few northward-flowing rivers

in the Northern Hemisphere, and home to some of the most amazingly fertile farmlands in all

the world.

This spot is a confluence of rivers. And a confluence of civilizations. Indigenous peoples flowed

into this region as early as 10,000 years ago. Not quite 200 years ago, Europeans began arriv-

ing here. Economically, Portland – and Oregon, and the Northwest – draw nearly as much in-

fluence from the Pacific Rim, and from Asia, as they do from Europe.

This is a confluence of time, as well. Portland is the event horizon between an agrarian history

and the industrial revolution. Between shopkeepers and data-miners. Where we build big

things, like barges and streetcars, and the smallest of things, like nano-technologies. This is

where the silicon forest abuts old-growth forests.

A confluence of rivers. A confluence of time. And a confluence of purpose. One of the great

lessons Portland has learned and shared has been the ideal that doing the right thing actually

makes our lives a bit better. Here we do the right thing not simply because it’s right, but be-

cause it improves our quality of life.

Increasing our tree canopy allows us to breathe better. Composting lowers our garbage bill.

Stormwater management on our streets makes our roads safer. It’s THIS notion that propels

us into a boundless future aimed at raising our collective quality of life…and oh yeah, helping

to protect our planet.

Portland is the place where, the lessons we learned as stewards of our environment in the

20th century, will guide our hands as stewards of the environment in the 21st century.

This city, and our most-unusual form of government, can and must help lead by example.

(Continued on page 38)



As Mayor of Portland, I pledge that we will act locally and share globally, working with our City

Council and our City Bureaus to take concrete steps that produce real and lasting results for

our citizens and evidence-based research for our friends throughout the World.

National and international policy is catching up with science. And as it does, it becomes more

practical and more cost-effective to begin to diversify our power and begin the journey away

from reliance on fossil fuels. I want Portland not just to be ready, but to be at the forefront.

There are several steps we can take.

First, while I’m proud that our City holds no direct fossil fuel assets in our financial investment

portfolio, it’s not enough.

The City must urge the Oregon State Treasurer, the Local Government Investment Pool and

the Oregon Investment Council to divest of all state holdings in fossil fuel.

Why take this seemingly risky investment strategy? Because NOT doing it is the truly risky

move.

The vast majority of fossil fuel assets are owned by 200 publicly traded companies. Eventually,

these companies will burn through their entire reserves. We don’t know when that will

happen, but by definition, we know that it must.

When that day comes, shares in these companies will lose most of their value. By divesting

from the 200 largest fossil fuel companies, Portland can eliminate the risk to its own financial

future. We must act before the carbon bubble bursts. And we must send the signal to the

market that such investments are risky.

By acting locally, we can send a message to the world that investment in fossil fuels is a losing

proposition, and that loosening our dependence on fossil fuels will increase our quality of life.

Second, I pledge that the City will begin implementation of the resolution passed last year

instructing the City to buy 100 percent renewables. Likewise, we will work with our utility

partners to reduce reliance on coal and natural gas to generate the electricity that serves all

Portland residents and businesses. We can and will lead by example.

Third, the City must move forward aggressively on the city’s 2009 Climate Action Plan. The

plan sets a goal of reducing emissions from City operations to 50 percent of 1990 levels, and

doing so by the year 2030. This month, I issued a set of instructions and challenges to our City

Council, and to our City Bureaus. One challenge calls for each bureau to further reduce its



energy use by two percent each year. By pairing energy efficiency with renewable power, we

will achieve our 50 percent carbon reduction goal for City operations. Again, we can and we

will lead by example.

Each of these three will reduce our carbon footprint and increase our quality of life. But it’s

still not enough. We here in Portland pride ourselves on our innovative transportation policies.

Our emphasis on active transportation has been studied the world over- but that’s not why

we’ve invested in it- active transportation is part of our high quality of life. And oh yeah, it’s a

predominant piece of our carbon reduction strategy. I pledge that within 10 years, the bike

will be the preferred mode of transportation for all trips under three miles in Portland. Talk

about a marriage of doing the right thing and a high quality of life!

In order for that to become reality, we must take care of our infrastructure. By now most

Portlanders have heard that I’m dedicated to repairing our streets- that whether you ride four

wheels, two wheels or even one wheel, you need flat, smooth surfaces to roll on. As we’ve

shown that our water and sewer-based infrastructure can be done more cost effectively when

it’s done more environmentally, there is no reason that the caretaking of our transportation

infrastructure can’t also be the caretaking of our planet. I pledge to you that I and the Council

will identify new revenue that will allow us to turn every street in Portland into a Complete

Street- a street with pervious surfaces, with stormwater collection, with street trees, and with

sidewalks- within the next 20 years.

Each of these steps- divestment from fossil fuels and reliance on renewable energy, reducing

City government’s carbon footprint, reaching new active transportation highs and building our

infrastructure in smart ways, will increase the quality of life of our citizenry. And it will make

Portland more resilient.

“Resilient.”

Think about that word for a moment. It’s from the Latin. It means to Spring Back. To Spring

Back into Shape.

Portland, and Oregon, and the Northwest, and the world, have been struggling for too long to

Spring Back Into Shape, following the Great Recession and long, slow, jobless recovery. But we

have learned some great lessons as our economy springs back. Now we must take those

lessons and apply them to this confluence of time.

I am proud to announce that, in August of this year, Portland will apply to the Rockefeller

Foundation 100 Resilient Cities Centennial Challenge.


The Challenge is a competition designed to help prepare cities for catastrophic events, like

Super Storm Sandy, or the devastating tornado we recently witnessed in Oklahoma. Or “The

Big One” – the mega-quake that scientists warn us have assailed this sector of the globe

throughout eons. And will again.

With more than 75 percent of people expected to be living in cities by 2050, and with 730,000

people expected to be living in Portland by 2030, it’s no longer a “what if” question but a

question of “when.”

I will direct Portland City bureaus to combine efforts and apply to the Rockefeller Foundation

to compete for membership in the worldwide 100 Resilient Cities Network, which comes with

it support for hiring a Chief Resiliency Office and resources to create and implement a

resilience plan.

By applying for the Rockefeller Challenge, Portland will not only benefit, we’ll be able to share

our experience and expertise with our friends throughout the world while learning other best

practices and innovations.

Sharing globally and implementing locally. By embracing this philosophy, through global com-

munication and citywide action, we will all be better equipped to emerge even stronger

through the face of catastrophe.

This is not really anything new for Portland. Whether it’s through our pioneering work in green

infrastructure, or in climate preparedness, Portland has long been an incubator for

environmental policy. Not only can that not stop, but we must redouble our efforts to lead this

work into the future, sharing our grand experiments with the world.

Take the confluence of these two great rivers, the Willamette and the Columbia.

In 2004, the Portland Park System became the first Salmon-Safe certified system in the nation.

Let me repeat that: The first such system in the nation, signifying our success and dedication in

reducing impacts on water quality and fish habitat from park operation and maintenance.

Last year, our Parks Bureau won recertification from the Salmon-Safe program. We are proud

of that. But it’s not enough.

As another challenge to our City Council and City Bureaus, I have asked that EACH service-

delivery bureau in the city seek and achieve Salmon-Safe certification within the next two

years.

I ask each service-delivery bureau to work with the Salmon-Safe team to evaluate their impact



on habitat and water quality. Through determination and collaboration, our City can ensure

that every practice we take is done with the least amount of harm to our natural environment,

and by doing so, an uptick in the quality of our lives. And as we implement this locally, we will

gladly share the results globally, through our friends in the United Nations Environment

Programme.

Portland is a proud member of the Intertwine Alliance. That is a coalition of 80 organizations

sharing a common interest in improving health, creating jobs, reducing costs, expanding trans-

portation networks, fostering learning and keeping our air and water clean.

The Intertwine has issued a challenge to residents and regional leaders alike. As Mayor, I

accept the Intertwine Challenge.

Portland will work to increase the percentage of storm water managed through green

infrastructure.

Portland will work to find a permanent funding source to protect our natural area

investments.

And Portland will continue to invest in our plan to increase our tree canopy.

Our City will lead by example and I, in turn, challenge our residents, our regional partners, and

the rest of the world to live and act with these goals in mind. And to work even harder with

your citizens to demonstrate that doing the right thing isn’t asking them to take cod liver oil-

it’s asking them to do things they want to do- things that make their daily lives just a bit

better.

More than anything, though, on this World Environment Day, in THIS confluence of time, I

want to talk about the thread that knits together the fabric that is Portland. It’s not unique to

us. It binds most towns, cities, states and countries together.

Our rivers.

I stand before you this morning with two responsibilities to our rivers. One is to clean them up.

But again, I’m not unique in that. Mayors before me, and governors, and the state and federal

governments, have put their shoulders to the wheel, and have worked for clean rivers.

Hard work has come before, and more hard work is needed now. We are just at the starting

point of cleaning up our crown jewel. I’m honored to begin that clean up immediately and

vociferously.



But as mayor, my second responsibility is helping to guide the vision of what our rivers WILL

BE.

It’s not enough to stand before you proclaiming that we will have clean rivers. We will, and

soon.

What is critical is what we do with those rivers. What we do to keep them clean. What we do

to bring our fish back.

What we do to connect our people back to them. What we do to safely and responsibly

create access to them.

And most importantly, what we do to embody the spirit and wisdom of our First People, to

steward these rivers for our future generations.

We can’t wait for years of planning and vision. We must incorporate the plans and visions that

came before us.

These questions can’t wait for the rivers to be clean.

These are the questions that I will work with our City Council, our citizens, our partners, and

our friends around the world to answer … and to implement.

We WILL restore the prominence of our rivers into the fabric of our everyday lives and we will

do so responsibly.

We have to. We stand at the confluence of two great rivers, the confluence many great

societies and economies, and the confluence of time.

The Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius said time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong

is its current. No sooner is a thing brought to sight, he said, than it is swept by and another

takes its place, and this too will be swept away.

These are OUR rivers. This is OUR time. Thank you to the United Nations Environment

Programme.

Thank you to our many visitors. And welcome to the 2013 North American World Environ-

ment Day.



Appendix B: World Environment Day Media

Print/electronic publications

February 8, 2013 By Steve Law

Portland Tribune: Rose City Named World Environment Day Host

February 11, 2013 By Kristian Fodel-Ventzel

OPB: Portland to Host United Nations Conference on the Environment

February 13, 2013 By: Cassandra Profita

OPB: Portland to Host World Environment Day

February 13, 2013 By The Oregonian

Oregonian: Portland Will Host North American World Environment Day June 5

June 3, 2013 By Steve Law

Portland Tribune: Portland takes center stage for World Environment Day

June 4, 2013 By Cassandra Profita

OPB News: Portland Hosts World Environment Day For All Of North America

June 4, 2013 By Andy Giegerich

Sustainable Business Oregon: It's World Environment Day. Where are Portland's parties?

June 5, 2013 By Steve Law

Portland Tribune: Hales says state should end fossil fuel investments


June 5, 2013

By Andy Giegerich

Sustainable Business Oregon: Hales Calls on State to Divest Fossil Fuel Holdings

June 5, 2013 By Aaron Mesh

Willamette Week: Hales Calls on City Hall to "Bring Our Fish Back"

June 5, 2013 By Andy Giegerich

Sustainable Business Oregon: With Portland Backdrop U.N. Launches Anti-Food Waste Pro-

gram

June 6, 2013 By Rob Mannning

Oregon Public Broadcasting: Portland Among 4 Cities Noted by UN’s World Environment Day

June 6, 2013 By Bruce Poinsette

The Skanner: Dr. Mae Jemison Holds Environmental Workshop with Portland Students

June 11, 2013 By Becca Stanek

Oregonian: Astronaut Mae Jemison Teaches Students How to Save the Environment

June 13, 2013 By Jennifer Anderson

Portland Tribune: Students See Green as World Environment Day Ideas Grow

July 9, 2013 Catholic Sentinel: UN Delegate Visits St. Vincent de Paul

Television

April 25, 2013, May 31, 2013 and June 1, 2013 and archived on website

KPTV Rose Festival-World Environment Day vignette



Radio

February 13, 2013 KEX Radio: The World Will Come to Portland June 5

(rebroadcast of February 13 City Council session)

May 26, 2013 - 25 minute interview aired on: Jim McClaren host Metroscope Radio interview with Mike Wetter, Executive Director Intertwine Alliance and Marilyn Clint, Operations Manager, Rose Festival

June 5, 2013 Radio Disney: Radio Disney Team Green at World Environment Day

Social media (selected highlights)

February 13, 2013 Mayor Hales webpage: World Environment Day

May 2, 2013 NW Kids Magazine: Rosezone Rally

June 5, 2013 Oregon Public Broadcasting Facebook Page: OPB Storybooth at the Rozone

June 11, 2013 By Bobby Hayden Climate Solutions: Highlights from World Environment Day in Portland

April 25 – June 5, 2013 The Intertwine Alliance: World Environment Day: 45 Day of Success

June 5, 2013 350.org: Portland’s in!


wed event, media and activity coordination report

Documents