The Pacific Northwest Climate Week is back for its third year, bringing together communities across the region to address climate change through education and action. This year's event, running from July 19th, aims to empower local climate action and give young people a voice in the conversation. With over 200 events taking place across seven cities, including a new addition to the list, Bend, the week promises to be a diverse and engaging experience.
One of the key goals of Pacific Northwest Climate Week is to foster a sense of community and shared responsibility for the environment. As Audrey Desler, Portland regional director, explains, "Every city is approaching it slightly differently, and we all have these different tapestries that are woven throughout our cities; we're able to spread so many more options for people to attend and find themselves in Climate Week."
The events range from panel discussions and workshops to film screenings and clothing swaps, providing a variety of opportunities for participants to engage with the climate crisis. For instance, the event in Bend, titled "Fall in Love with the Future: Empowering Local Climate Action Through Education, Policy and Practice," hosted by Lewis & Clark College, aims to educate and inspire local action.
Maggie O'Sullivan, an Oregon State University student studying environmental science, shared her enthusiasm for the event, saying, "Growing up in Bend, we are just taught to be so connected to our environment there, and so to be able to continue to share that, especially as a lot of people move there, and we need to get everyone involved, it's really awesome."
Riley Ahmuty, a Bend resident and intern with Energize Bend, also highlighted the importance of the event in bringing attention to local climate issues. "For me, it brings an opportunity to bring more attention to what's happening in our local area. So within Bend, within Oregon, and then within the Pacific Northwest, because we all share similar climate burdens and issues, but maybe we experience those differently if you're in a rural area versus an urban area," he said.
The event also emphasizes the need to center youth voices in climate discussions. Desler notes, "One of the goals that we put in place for climate week, specifically for Portland this year, is to center youth voices and perspectives because they are often non-centered in discussions around climate and climate change."
Henry Hay, an environmental studies and economics student at Lewis and Clark College, aligns with this goal, stating, "I am interning with Future Climate Collective this summer, which is an awesome, non-profit based here in the Portland area doing climate education and going into schools and assisting with climate projects bridging the gaps between different generations."
As the week progresses, the emphasis on community engagement and youth involvement will continue to drive the conversation forward. With a wide range of events and a diverse audience, Pacific Northwest Climate Week is a powerful platform for raising awareness and inspiring action on climate change.
