March 13, 2007—Oregon Environmental Council Announces 2007 Forum for Business and the Environment Series

PORTLAND, Ore.—March 13, 2007—The Oregon Environmental Council is pleased to present the 12^th season of the annual Forum for Business and the Environment series. The forum series brings business and environmental leaders together to dialogue on some of Oregon’s most difficult environmental and economic challenges and to share positive, profitable strategies. The 2007 series will focus on the economic risks and opportunities associated with global warming. To register for events, visit www.oeconline.org or call 503-222-1963 ext. 100.

Oregon InC's Role in Fostering Climate-Friendly Industry Clusters

Who: Kevin Banister, Steve Kopf and Dr. Jennifer Allen

What: Oregon InC was created in 2005 by the Governor and Oregon Legislature to drive the state's business innovation strategy. As this cross-sector leadership team works to establish Oregon’s competitive edge, sustainability has emerged as one of the primary growth opportunities. Dr. Jennifer Allen, the Associate Director for the Center of Sustainable Processes and Practices at Portland State University, will speak on the creation of a new Signature Research Center at Oregon InC focused on clean energy, bio-based products, green building and green development. Kevin Banister of Finavera Renewables and Steve Kopf of Ocean Power Technologies will discuss how Oregon is the leader in the United States – indeed, the world – in the development of wave energy, an important global warming solution.

Where: Mission Mill Museum, 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem, OR / Pape Group, 355 Goodpasture Island Rd., Eugene, OR

When: March 29, 2007 – 7:30 A.M. in Salem / 12:00 P.M.  in Eugene

Going Green: Oregon’s Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy

Who: Dennis Wilde, Wally Van Valkenberg, Phil Welker, Steve Kokes

What: Businesses are increasingly finding that reducing their impact on the planet is not only the right thing to do for the environment, but that it also benefits their bottom lines. At the Oregon Business Summit in January, nearly a thousand business and elected leaders from across Oregon discussed this trend as an economic development niche for Oregon. This event – cosponsored by Metro – will feature a panel of area professionals who specialize in helping businesses around the world “go green,” including business practices that lower carbon emissions. Dennis Wilde, a principal with Gerding Edlen, Wally Van Valkenberg, a partner with Stoel Rives, Phil Welker, Executive Director of Portland Energy Conservation Inc, and Steve Kokes, Strategic Director for Coates Kokes Advertising Agency, will comprise the panel.

Where:  Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR

When: April 24, 2007, 7:30 A.M.

Filling the Void: How States Are Stepping Up and Acting on Global Warming

Who: David Crane and Dan Bakal (Invited)

What: Last August, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made the headlines when he signed legislation establishing the most extensive carbon dioxide emission controls yet in the United States.  Without a national approach to addressing the problem, more than a dozen other states have established or are considering state action on global warming that mirrors California’s.  David Crane, Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger, and Dan Bakal, Director of Electric Power Programs at CERES, will discuss how other states are addressing the policy vacuum and how Oregon businesses can thrive in a changing regulatory climate where states are leading the effort to maximize both climate protection and economic well-being.

Where:  Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR/ Mission Mill Museum, 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem, OR

When: May 22, 2007 – 11:30 A.M. in Portland / 5:30 P.M. in Salem

How Climate Change Is Driving New Investments in Clean Technology

Who: Roby Roberts and Ron Pernick

What: Roby Roberts of Goldman Sachs’ Alternative Energy Investment Division and Ron Permick, co-founder and principal of Clean Edge and author of The Clean Revolution: Technologies from the Leading Edge, will discuss what clean technology means and how the clean-tech era is represented by a dynamic and diverse group of companies, from start-ups to multinational giants, that are being supported by forward-thinking investors, scientists, politicians, and customers. Goldman Sachs is one of those investors, using its influence to move markets by pumping close to $1 billion into renewable energy over the past year alone.

Where: Multnomah Athletic Club, 1849 SW Salmon St., Portland, OR

When: September 6, 2007, 7:00 P.M.

The Pacific Northwest as a Climate Hotspot: What It Means for Oregon Agriculture

Who: Dr. Phil Mote, Dr. Michael Scott and Chad Kruger

What: Scientists have identified the Pacific Northwest as a climate hotspot where the impacts of global warming are expected to be large. Several sectors of Oregon's economy are particularly at risk, including agriculture. Washington State Climatologist Dr. Phil Mote of the Washington Climate Impacts Group and Dr. Michael Scott with the Technology Planning and Deployment Group of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will communicate the science of global warming and the potential impacts on Oregon agriculture of increased carbon dioxide, reduced water availability and soil moisture, and greater prevalence of crop pests and pathogens.  Chad Kruger of Washington States University’s Center for Sustainable Agriculture will provide new resources on ‘climate-friendly’ farms.

Where: Wildhorse Resort and Casino, 72777 Hwy. 331, Pendleton, OR

When: October 12, 2007, 5:30 P.M.

About the Oregon Environmental Council

Founded in 1968, the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with members throughout the state. We bring Oregonians together for a healthy environment. Through programs such as the Bottle Bill, curbside recycling and the creation of local watershed councils, OEC has played a leadership role in helping Oregonians be part of the solution to environmental problems. Our current programs focus on protecting kids’ health from toxic pollution, cleaning up Oregon’s rivers, slowing global warming, and building a sustainable economy.

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