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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate NEWS NOW Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as Oregon storm damage mounts ... Shining a light on sex trafficking ... Annual Ashland Abundance Swap set for Sunday ... Gov. Brown declares state of emergency as Oregon storm damage mounts ... Shining a light on sex trafficking ... Annual Ashland Abundance Swap set for Sunday ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Take the Ashland Climate Challenge Comment By Marni Koopman and Satchel Pondolfino DailyTidings.com By Marni Koopman and Satchel Pondolfino Posted Nov. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Marni Koopman and Satchel Pondolfino Posted Nov. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Taking action on climate change is common sense. The actions we need to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will also improve our quality of life, create good jobs, save money, and keep our energy dollars local. That’s why local groups, businesses, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon University and the city of Ashland are coming together to develop a Climate and Energy Action Plan for our community. The planning process kicks off from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Historic Ashland Armory. All Ashlanders are invited to provide input about how we can reduce emissions and protect people and nature from the impacts of climate change. Residents and business owners may also take the “Ashland Climate Challenge” throughout 2016. Prizes will be offered by local businesses for reducing our energy use by 10 percent, using alternative transportation four times per month, or talking with neighbors, schools, landlords and leaders about clean energy and climate change. Starting Nov. 6 with First Friday, a week of community-wide events sponsored by organizations and businesses will lead up to the Nov. 15 kickoff. Climate Week will feature art, speakers, music, films, storytelling and a critical mass bike ride. Find Climate Week events, kickoff details and rules for the Challenge at www.AshlandClimateChallenge.org . Our purpose is to take responsibility for our community’s carbon footprint. We are now seeing climate change impacts that were predicted in a 2008 report, titled “Climate Change Preparation in the Rogue River Basin," prepared by the Geos Institute, The Resource Innovation Group (TRIG) and the U.S. Forest Service. That study projected what we are seeing today: reduced snowpack, drought and warmer temperatures. As the climate continues to warm, we can expect flooding, water shortages, reduced forest health, agricultural disruptions, increased insect infestations, loss of fish and wildlife habitat and increases in health impacts such as respiratory disease, asthma and heat stroke. These impacts will, in turn, affect local businesses and jobs. When tourists hesitate to visit Ashland for our theaters, skiing and rivers, jobs in tourism and hospitality industries are affected. When retirees question our area’s water security, air quality and the livability of our climate, jobs in housing, retail and health care fields are affected as well. Other communities in our region, state and country are responding to the climate challenge by taking local action. Rogue Climate sponsored a workshop in Talent last month to kick off that community’s climate action planning. The workshop featured a report on Lake County’s successful conversion to 100 percent renewal energy like solar and geothermal. At Ashland’s Nov. 15 kickoff, representatives from Eugene and Fort Collins, Colo., will talk about what their communities are doing to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions. Other communities we’re learning from include Corvallis; Chico, Calif.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Oberlin, Ohio; San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and Missoula, Mont. A committee of local residents will develop Ashland’s Climate and Energy Action Plan. The plan will establish steps that residents, businesses, schools and the city can take to transition to cleaner energy, increase energy efficiency, prepare for climate impacts and help meet targets for greenhouse gas reduction. By working together, Oregon communities can help achieve the goal established by the state Legislature to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 75 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Climate change affects everyone, but exerts a greater impact on low-income residents, communities of color, people with disabilities and others with the fewest resources. It’s essential that the voices of our most vulnerable residents are heard as impacts are analyzed and solutions adopted. A key to our success will be active participation by Ashland residents and businesses at every stage, from planning and target-setting to implementation. Volunteers are needed to serve on committees, gather input, provide public education and sponsor events. Find out at the Nov. 15 kickoff how you can take part. Responding to the climate challenge creates an exciting opportunity for the Ashland community to save money, create jobs and improve our quality of life. Please join us on Nov. 15, and find out more at AshlandClimateChallenge.org . Marni Koopman is a climate change scientist at Geos Institute. Satchel Pondolfino is an organizing intern at Rogue Climate. By Marni Koopman and Satchel Pondolfino DailyTidings.com By Marni Koopman and Satchel Pondolfino Posted Nov. 7, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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