During this Spring term 2019 at Portland Community College, I have been taking a class focused on environmental sociology. As part of the curriculum, our instructor Dr. Kim Smith – founder of GPSEN – invited the class to participate in the Northwest Earth Institute’s...
Sitting at a cafe, have you ever noticed the large number of straws, to-go cups, and plastic utensils that steadily flow from the counter to the trash can? In a culture of convenience and disposable goods, it can be easy to pass off this waste as trivial. However, these little pieces of waste add...
Have you ever contemplated whether demolishing an old building was the only way to remove it? Do you have a door knob you’d like to replace, but you’d rather not throw it away? A local non-profit will happily tell you that the old building isn’t garbage and that door knob can surely find another...
It is the 10-year anniversary of the Eco Social Justice Grant (formerly the TGIF) at Portland Community College! To celebrate the work and commitment to sustainability a short video was produced to highlight the amazing work that has been done by many at PCC and funded by students. Over $1...
The Surfrider Foundation is focusing on plastic pollution awareness this May. Consider signing Surfrider’s Rise Above Plastics pledge. Scientists estimate that by 2050 the weight of PLASTIC in the ocean will be equal to the weight of ALL THE FISH in the sea. But there is something YOU can...
Green Empowerment has a rich history of making progress, despite conflict and achieving excellence, despite hardship. Last year was a challenging one for our organization, but we found a way to fulfill our commitments to communities and supporters like you, who fuel our efforts. We dedicate our...
The long wait is finally over … 350PDX is very happy and excited to announce the hiring of Jessica Beckett as our new Executive Director! Jessica Beckett is an organizer of people and a champion for justice. Born in Denver and raised on the glorious Hood Canal in Washington, her formative...
EcoChallenge.org and NWEI won Solution Search’s “first mover” Early Entry Prize! Join Rare and all of the #SolutionSearch sponsors on congratulating the winners! Early Entry Prize: Northwest Earth Institute’s EcoChallenge Platform People’s Choice Award: One Million...
After a four-month search, led by a team of ReBuilding Center staff and board members, we are excited to announce Jaclyn Kirouac-Fram as our new Executive Director. Jackie follows the ReBuilding Center’s Acting Executive Director, Kelly Stevens, who will remain on staff, and Interim Executive...
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved a $2 million, three-year grant to Portland State University engineering professor to study a novel method of generating electricity from ocean waves. Jonathan Bird (pictured), associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, will study the...
With a generous grant from Metro, the Eco-School Network is thrilled to launch the Eco-School Waste Fellowship to help nearly 10,000 students develop lifelong waste reduction habits. Parent leaders from 20+ schools across our four districts have been accepted as fellows. With the guidance of a...
The Green Schoolyards Collective is launching! After a few years of planning, we’re finally lifting this idea off the ground with a kick-off eventrescheduled for Tuesday, March 12, from 9 a.m. to noon. This will be the first time we bring together members and those who want to find...