Earth Week Events

If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Earth Week, here are a few ideas.

Today: Bill McKibben Speaks

Environmentalist and author Bill McKibben speaks tonight at the Bagdad Theatre, SE 37th and Hawthorne in Portland. He’s promoting his new book, EAARTH: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet. His message – global warming is no longer merely a threat; it is a reality that has changed the world in profound ways.

The events starts at 7pm. Tickets are $24 and can be purchased at the Bagdad Theater box office, the Crystal Ballroom box office, Ticketmaster.com, and all Ticketmaster outlets. Admission includes a copy of the book.

All Week: LNG Meetings and Rally

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission holds three public meetings this week to investigate landowner complaints against Oregon LNG. The company proposes building a third LNG import terminal and pipeline in Oregon. Landowners along the pipeline route are unhappy with the behavior of company officials and contractors during a field trip in December. FERC is holding the meetings to get more information and anyone who testifies will be under oath.

Here’s the schedule:

Tuesday, 10:00am
Forest Grove Community Auditorium, 1915 Main St., Forest Grove

Wednesday, 1:00pm
Clatsop County Courthouse, Judge Guy Boyington Building, 820 Exchange St., Astoria

Thursday, 9:00am
Portland City Hall, Chamber Room, 1221 SW 4th Ave., Portland

On Thursday, anti-LNG groups stage a rally at 12:15pm outside Portland City Hall. Columbia Riverkeeper, Oregon Sierra Club and Bark. In addition to the FERC meetings, the State of Oregon is reviewing the lease with Oregon LNG for its proposed LNG terminal.

Wednesday: Earthquakes, Wolves and Moose

-Wildlife Experts Talk

Learn about the growing Shira’s moose and gray wolf populations in northeast Oregon from ODFW northeast region biologists.  Pat Matthew will talk about moose biology and his work to monitor and understand our new residents.  Russ Morgan, ODFW wolf coordinator, will discuss the challenge.

Admission is free, but registration is required. Register online at Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation’s Web site www.owhf.org or call (503) 255-6059.

The hour-long events will be held at the Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, Ecotrust Building in Portland’s Pearl District, 721 NW Ninth Avenue, Portland.

(UPDATE: OWHF says because of overwhelming interest, it has closed online registration and is putting people on a waiting list.)

-Is Oregon Ready For The Big One?

The Seismological Society of America is meeting in Portland this week, and one of events is a town hall for the public. Several state officials and geologists will discuss how recent major earthquakes in Chile and Haiti offer important lessons on what can happen when countries are not adequately prepared to respond to, or survive a major seismic event.

The town hall starts at 6:45pm at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront, 1401 Southwest Naito Parkway, Portland.

Thursday: National Geographic On Our Changing Planet

Dennis Dimick, award-winning executive editor for the environment at National Geographic magazine, will present this year’s Gov. Tom McCall Memorial Lecture, a talk titled, “Changing Planet: Where Energy and Climate Collide.”

The talk is set for April 22, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, at LaSells Stewart Center on the Oregon State University Corvallis campus. The event will begin at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

Dimick, a 1973 OSU graduate, will lead the audience in a sweeping visual journey and in-depth report drawn from National Geographic features and the most recent scientific reports documenting the effects of climate change. He’ll also explore what members of the public can do to reverse troubling climate change trends.

Friday: Sustainability and Racial Justice

As the Executive of King County, Ron Sims championed an inclusive vision of sustainability and created the groundbreaking Equity and Social Justice Initiative. Appointed by President Obama in 2009 to the second most senior position at HUD, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, Sims is taking the accomplishments and lessons of his three terms as County Executive to make a real difference in communities across the nation.

Mr. Sims will share his vision and wisdom on how those of us in this region who aspire for a “just sustainability” can leverage regional assets and tap new national resources in support of community development that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.

The event starts at 10:30am at the First Unitarian Church, 1011 SW 12th Avenue, Portland

This event is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To assure yourself a spot registration is strongly encouraged. To register, please email simsevent@clfuture.org with your name and the names and emails of any attendees.