12 How to Get Involved
Many of our classes won’t explicitly include information on how to get involved politically in affecting change, but your students may ask you how they can get involved. In addition, some courses, may actually have opportunities to have students research their next steps. And, you may be inspired to step more fully in the arena as well.
Below I selected listed some of the groups active in the region along with their mission statement or description.
You can get a more comprehensive (though still incomplete) list at this shared document, which can be downloaded and modified as you wish. The size of the list is itself a sign of hope.
Youth Focused
SunrisePDX
The local hub of the national Sunrise Movement, focused on building an army of young people to stop climate change and create millions of good jobs in the process. They focus on electing politicians who have taken the #NoFossilFuelMoney pledge, and on passing the Green New Deal.
Portland Youth Climate Council (PYCC)
PYCC is a youth powered group made up of PPS students defending our right to a stable climate and sustainable future by shaping policy and advocating for change. Right now they are advocating to get climate justice into the PPS curriculum, and are also working on removing the exemption for industrial and commercial land from the Portland Tree Code.
They meet every Monday from 7-8:30 pm at City Hall. Email if you’d like to get involved at pdx.climate.council@gmail.com
Broadly Focused Regional Groups
350PDX
We are a climate justice, people-powered organization, fighting for a just transition to end the climate crisis. Our Arts Team, our Communications Team, and any of our campaign and action teams are great fits for young people! Find out more and volunteer here.
Columbia River Keepers
Columbia Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Columbia Riverkeeper fights for clean water. We take polluters to court when the government turns its back on illegal pollution. We advocate for stronger laws to reduce toxic pollution in fish and drinking water. And we push government agencies to take action for clean water.
Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility (Health Care Workers)
We are an organization of health professionals and public health advocates working collaboratively with community partners to educate and advocate for societal and policy change that protects human health at the local, state, national, and international level. We seek a healthy, just, and peaceful world for present and future generations.
Education and Awareness Focused
Climate Reality Project
In 2006, Nobel Laureate and former US Vice President Al Gore got the world talking about climate change with the Academy Award-winning film An Inconvenient Truth.
It was just the beginning of a climate revolution. Later that year, he founded what would become The Climate Reality Project to move the conversation forward and turn awareness into action all across the Earth.
Today, as Climate Reality, we’re a diverse group of passionate individuals who’ve come together to solve the greatest challenge of our time. We are activists, cultural leaders, organizers, scientists, and storytellers committed to building a sustainable future together.
Union of Concerned Scientists
Our mission: to use rigorous, independent science to solve our planet’s most pressing problems. Joining with people across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
Bi-Partisan Economic Solution Focused
Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address climate change.
Our consistently respectful, nonpartisan approach to climate education is designed to create a broad, sustainable foundation for climate action across all geographic regions and political inclinations. By building upon shared values rather than partisan divides, and empowering our supporters to work in keeping with the concerns of their local communities, we work towards the adoption of fair, effective, and sustainable climate change solutions.