Climate Action Tigard (C.A.T.) members showed up to the City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 19th in support of a Climate Task Force and Action Plan for Tigard. Lindsey Washburn presented the Tigard City Council with a proposal to create a Climate Task Force. Mayor Heidi Lueb and Tigard City Council members unanimously voted in favor of the Climate Task Force and Action Plan.
What is a Climate Task Force?
A Climate Task Force is a group of individuals, organized by the city of Tigard in this case, to identify and put into action specific climate related tasks.
Why Is A Climate Task Force Important?
Why is it important to have a city-run task force and a community-run advocacy group like Climate Action Tigard? As a community-run group, Climate Action Tigard (C.A.T.) members can push the city for change in different ways than a city-run group would be able to. We can also expand focus where needed and not be restricted by the “politics” of it all. That said, it is incredibly important for us to be able to work side-by-side with the city on our climate goals.
“We don’t have to engage in grand, heroic actions to participate in change. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.”
– Howard Zinn
Can You Make A Difference In Two Minutes?
Each person was given two minutes to make a public comment to Tigard City Council. It may not feel like two minutes is enough to make a difference. How can you even convey the importance of addressing climate change in two minutes? I’ll tell you how. Bring together a group of people who each have two minutes to share why it matters to them.
Why We Need To Speak Up At Tigard City Council Meetings
If we want to see real change locally, we have to speak up. We have to stay involved and hold ourselves, each other and our city accountable. It is easy for a city to acknowledge Climate Change and set goals to reduce their carbon footprint. To see actionable change often requires a community voice. Every voice has the ability to create real change. I have seen changes in city code happen because one person spoke up. Just one.
Tigard City Council offers several ways for community members to submit public comment. You can show up in person to a City Council meeting and signup to speak in person for up to two minutes. Save a car trip and call in at the beginning of a meeting and give public comment over the phone. Submit written comment until noon on the day of the meeting here. You can view upcoming Tigard City Council meetings and related information on the city website here.
“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it. ”
– Robert Swan
Watch The Full Tigard City Council Meeting
If you would like to watch the Tigard City Council meeting discussed in this article, you can watch it here. Climate Action Tigard (C.A.T.) member testimony starts at minute 6.30. The Climate Task Force and Action Plan Presentation by Lindsey Washburn starts at the 1 hour 6 minute mark.