It's Your Oregon: Douglas County Global Warming Coalition

Stuart Liebowitz of the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition (DCGWC) is a passionate and articulate advocate for change in historically timber-dependent Douglas County.

“It is time to make the climate crisis our top priority," said Stuart. "Global warming has created an undeniable sense of urgency… we no longer have the luxury of sitting back and waiting for someone to take action.”

 In January of 2003, a group of like-minded activists formed the nucleus of what would become the DCGWC. They gathered 140 people at the local library to watch the movie, “The Day the Ocean’s Boiled”, an award-winning 2001 documentary that examines the scientific evidence of a rapidly changing global climate. After the movie, attendees participated in a discussion led by Umpqua Community College instructors. The success of the event and urgency of the message became the impetus for this small group of people to form the DCGWC, making a significant and ongoing commitment to tackle the issue of global warming at a community level.

 Although the road ahead to avert dramatic global climate is daunting and the challenges at times seem insurmountable, the DCGWC manages to convey a sense of hope and possibility. The Coalition has helped shape the conversation in their community. Attitudes are beginning to shift as people confront the need for a new way forward, realizing that change and opportunity can be synonymous. They are finding the commonalities among the diverse groups that comprise Douglas County. The need to increase efficiency and save money, improve infrastructure and planning, expand the economic base and create jobs, acquire stable sources of energy and end dependence on foreign oil, and secure a livable future for their children and grandchildren resonate across political, spiritual, economic, and social boundaries.

The DCGWC serves as an excellent model for activists who want to engage their community on environmental issues. The mission of the DCGWC is to provide a twofold catalyst in the community: 1) promote a healthy climate for our community and future generations and 2) identify and share solutions through awareness, advocacy, and collaboration. The Coalition is engaged in activities designed to increase community awareness of global warming. The Coalition brings notable speakers to the county; hosts educational forums and workshops; influences policy decisions; and encourages energy efficient practices among local government, business owners, community organizations, and homeowners.

• Nine volunteers with diverse skills and backgrounds constitute the DCGWC Board. The Coalition is remarkably active and has made a big impact in their community. Here are some of the group’s recent accomplishments:
• They testified before the Oregon State Legislature for renewable energy and global warming policies that have become law
• They convinced Douglas County to purchase several hybrid vehicles and to purchase 10,000 gallons of B20 (a 20% biodiesel blend) for its diesel fleet
• They organized support for a downtown development plan emphasizing non-vehicular modes of transport
• They write a monthly "Energy Efficiency Spotlight" article for the local paper which contains information about local businesses that have incorporated energy conservation into their operations

• They are members of the county’s biomass working group which explores the feasibility of biomass conversion to ethanol

• They organize the annual Umpqua Business Energy eXchange workshop for business owners to connect and share ways to increase energy efficiency

• They support bio-fuels education and the Umpqua Bio-Fuels Alternatives Cooperative 

• They host the annual Earth Day auto display where visitors learn about the advantages of owning a hybrid vehicle

“To be successful we need to secure significant and ongoing commitments from the all across the community," said Stuart. Wouldn’t it be great if students from Umpqua Community College could be become a model for the state by making a commitment to address this issue? There is a real leadership opportunity here for this community.”

Are you inspired?

With any luck, the efforts of the DCGWC have given you the impetus to join them and take action in your community. Liebowitz has some advice for those ready to bring about change: be willing and able to establish partnerships throughout your community, build the personal relationships that will enable you to find the commonalities within diverse groups of people, form a core group of volunteers with complementary skill sets and diverse backgrounds, allow people to work in their areas of strength, and be aware of what you can and cannot accomplish. Over time, as you become established in the community and find your voice, more ambitious goals can be set.

The Oregon Environmental Council helps the coalition by acting as the group’s fiscal sponsor, enabling them to do their community-based work without having to file for a separate non-profit tax status. We’re proud of this five-year partnership and the positive local action it has fostered toward solving global warming.