On World Environment Day, Portland Mayor Charlie Hales issued several calls for sustainability-related actions including: 

- "First, while I’m proud that our City holds no direct fossil fuel assets in our financial investment portfolio, it’s not enough. The City must urge the Oregon State Treasurer, the Local Government Investment Pool and the Oregon Investment Council to divest of all state holdings in fossil fuel."

-"Second, I pledge that the City will begin implementation of the resolution passed last year instructing the City to buy 100 percent renewables. Likewise, we will work with our utility partners to reduce reliance on coal and natural gas to generate the electricity that serves all Portland residents and businesses. We can and will lead by example."

-"Third, the City must move forward aggressively on the city’s 2009 Climate Action Plan. The plan sets a goal of reducing emissions from City operations to 50 percent of 1990 levels, and doing so by the year 2030. This month, I issued a set of instructions and challenges to our City Council, and to our City Bureaus. One challenge calls for each bureau to further reduce its energy use by two percent each year. By pairing energy efficiency with renewable power, we will achieve our 50 percent carbon reduction goal for City operations. Again, we can and we will lead by example."

− "As another challenge to our City Council and City Bureaus, I have asked that EACH service-delivery bureau in the city seek and achieve Salmon-Safe certification within the next two years."

− "I pledge that within 10 years, the bike will be the preferred mode of transportation for all trips under three miles in Portland."

−"By pairing energy efficiency with renewable power, we will achieve our 50 percent carbon reduction goal for City operations."

Read the full speech. 

Source: Cathy Cheney | Portland Business Journal

World Environment Day RoZone Rally

One of the main World Environment Day events was a rally at the RoZone as part of the Rose Festival. There were over 20 environmentally focused exhibitors, a concert performance by Joy Now, and a “procession of species”- a parade of children and families dressed up as animals.

World Environment Day Innovation Celebration

 On June 6th, we hosted a World Environment Day Innovation Celebration. There were remarks from City Officials, University Leaders, and other change-makers on solutions that led to Portland’s honor as host city for World Environment Day 2013. There were remarks by Amy Fraenkel, Director of the United Nations Environment Programme of North America. The event also featured Bella Gaia performed by Director, Composer and Violinist Kenji Williams. Bella Gaia shared visualizations of Hotspots and Hopespots and humanity’s presence on earth as seen from space. Stories selected for Bella Gaia’s multimedia show come from UNEP and NASA science data, and were created to inspire future solutions thinkers. The event also featured Gary Braasch, a Portland-based environmental photojournalist, His project World View of Global Warming documents climate change science, effects and solutions. His work is featured in UN publications, books, magazines, postage stamps, apps, and museum exhibitions. The event was sponsored by the City of Portland, United Nations Environment Programme, Portland Community College, Intertwine Alliance,Portland State University, Portland General Electric and University of Oregon.