New York Times Columnist Says Portland “Crucial” to Greenhouse Debate

In case you missed it, on Sunday New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof anticipated the upcoming G8 summit meeting this week with an eye on Portland. Specifically, Kristof argued that Portland’s experience lowering greenhouse gases to 1990 levels without hurting our economy shows that President Bush’s warnings of economic catastrophe had the US signed the Kyoto treaty may have been unfounded. Kristof writes:

“In the past, economic models tended to discourage aggressive action on greenhouse gases, because they indicated that the cost of curbing emissions could be extraordinarily high, amounting to perhaps 3 percent of GNP.”

“That’s where Portland’s experience is so crucial. It confirms the suggestions of some economists that we can take initial steps against global warming without economic disruptions.”

“So as he heads to the summit meeting, Mr. Bush should get a briefing on Portland’s experience and accept that we don’t need to surrender to global warming. Perhaps eventually we will face hard trade-offs. But for now Portland shows that we can help our planet without ‘wrecking’ our economy – indeed, at no significant cost at all. At the Group of 8, that should be a no-brainer.”

I wrote about Portland’s 1990 emission-level announcement a couple weeks ago, but the significance of that achievement has only grown in my mind. It’s not just that Portland has done something good for the environment or even the economy. This city really has a chance to forge an all-new identity and to lead the country in a field of tantamount importance.

You know, we already have plenty of civic celebrations each summer clogging Waterfront Park and Pioneer Courthouse Square. But what if Portland were to have some kind of big party to celebrate something more than a date on the calendar or some worn-out music genre (no offense to patriots or Buddy Guy enthusiasts). How about a party to celebrate Portland’s being the green capital of America? I’m sure there’s a way to make organic funnel cakes.

I’ve also found myself thinking anew about Portland’s heretofore corny slogan, “The City That Works”. The slogan takes on renewed meaning when you think about the fact that we are now the only American city for which the urban existence—the summation of cars and people and buildings and the energy we consume—isn’t driving the planet to ecological ruin. (Or at least not as fast.)

I hope all those in the business community and elsewhere who have decried the expense of MAX trains and the urban growth boundary and green buildings are eating more crow these days than I put away hamburgers this weekend.

Comments

[Jack Bog]

For a more realistic view:

http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~pgordon/blog/2005/07/no-trade-offs-in-portland.html

[cab]

Bog do you hate Portland? You offer nothing but negativity over a city many love. Is something wrong? Did our fair city pass you by? Why so bitter? Can't you just enjoy the positive PR? This is a great achievement can't you just be proud of the city for once.

[Ray]

Read the above link, the person misses the point of the coyote in the MAX train. It's early in the morning, not five months after the line was opened. If this individual would have known about this part of how the trains are prepared to go each morning (doors are left open), the statement wouldn't have been made.

Now, we need a new slogan, "The City That Lives".

Man, are we on the right bus or what?

[Jack Bog]

Portland is beautiful, but it's been going steeply downhill, thanks in part to your proud sponsor, the AIA, for about a decade now. A few good things have happened, but they have been despite the efforts of the self-proclaimed experts and the absurd cadre of city planners.

Actually, I'd let it all pass if our state and local taxes -- highest west of the Mississippi -- weren't paying for most of it.

Long live the great Portland parks and its traditional neighborhoods. As for the new stuff, straight out of Soviet Romania, you can have it.

[j]

"As for the new stuff, straight out of Soviet Romania, you can have it."

what do you mean?

[Rich Page]

It turns out that Portland's CO2 report was false. The NYT
may now have to retract this article. Check out this press release for details:
http://www.cascadepolicy.org/globalnews2005.doc