Archive for the ‘Portland’ Category
Paddling for 350.org
Photo by Mark Gamba
Saturday I joined about 150+ other paddlers, water enthusiasts and eco superstars for the River of Action. The goal was to make a huge floating 350 in support of 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action. Rounding up and organizing almost 200 paddlers and boats is no easy task, but somehow we managed, and the end product was amazing. It feels good to be part of a global movement!
Portland Will be the Copenhagen of America
Caught this at Oregon Manifest two weekends ago; the uber hip and cool bike show that any two-wheel lover should make sure to attend is going on through the rest of the month. (Plus the exhibition on Danish cycling culture — which features this quote — is fantastic!)
Paddling for Change: River of Action
Things are gearing up big time for 350.org’s October 24th International Day of Climate Action. If you’ve been living in a cave and have somehow missed what 350.org is, it’s pretty simple.
From River of Action:
In 2007, NASA’s chief climatologist, Jim Hansen, released a study marking 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere as the safe upper limit for humanity. Much more than that, and we risk dangerous temperature increases. Unfortunately, we’re at 390ppm and rising 2 ppm each year. Writer and activist Bill McKibben launched 350.org in response. The goal is to organize a grassroots campaign designed to educate the world about the runaway CO2 levels, and then motivate people to do something about it. Thousands of communities around the world will represent the number 350 as prominently as possible to send a message to world leaders bound for the UN Climate Change Conference this December in Copenhagen.
With actions planned for all over the world, it’s hard not to take part. Last night in Portland, River Action, along with help from Keen, Nau, Wend Magazine and Hopworks, hosted an October 24th pre-party. Basically an event to get people revved up on the need for climate change action and reminding us all not only to take part on the 24th, but in our everyday lives. [That and drink free beer BYOC style — Bring Your Own Cup]. On the 24th River of Action will be harnessing the power of paddlesports communities all around the world and having them form “350” on waterways. A creative idea that’s certainly getting some attention… can’t wait to get out on the river and take part!
Great event with an uber fabulous 350 cake. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Find out what 350.org action is taking place near you here.
Mountainfilm On Tour
I was stoked to receive the Mountainfilm 2008 guide in the mail yesterday. Sent to me in order to get a feel for what this year’s film festival will be like, the guide made me want to immediately book a ticket for the upcoming event in May. If you’re not familiar with Mountainfilm it’s an annual film festival dedicated to “educating and inspiring audiences about issues that matter, cultures worth exploring, environments worth preserving, and conversations worth sustaining.”
So it’s not just a collection of climbing and hiking films; there are also ones about conservation, social justice and cultural issues. All things that we should be concerned about! Last year’s films include Carpa Diem, Losing the Elephants and Flow (a personal favorite documentary about water issues).
But for those who can’t make it to the actual festival held in Telluride, CO, there’s Mountainfilm On Tour. A selection of films from the festival are taken on the road to reach audiences that otherwise would not have experienced them. The tour is coming to Portland tomorrow which I’m excited about, but if you live elsewhere, be sure to check out the tour schedule.
Salmon in Eagle Creek
Spent Saturday hiking Eagle Creek Trail in the Columbia Gorge where dozens of salmon were attempting to swim upstream. That section of the creek is basically the end of their run, meaning there were already a few dead fish floating in the water. Somehow I managed to get these three on camera… how they made it over that ledge of rocks in their exhausted state is beyond me. Being that close to them reminded me of how important they are to our ecosystem, which is why we should do all we can to support them.
Want to learn more about how you can help wild salmon in the Pacific Northwest? Check out Save Our Wild Salmon.
Wend event at Portland REI tomorrow
If you’re in PDX, come hang out with two cool Wenders, Gregg and Deia, who hiked the whole length of the Andes, as well as the rest of the Wend crew! It’s at 7pm and admission is free!
Something besides the VP debate
If you’re in PDX and looking for something besides the VP debate to watch tonight, check out this:
A benefit for one of my favorite organizations Bikes to Rwanda, it should be a good time.
Portland Farmers Market makes #1
Good Magazine — remember how much I love them? — put together a list of the five best farmers market, and Portland scored the top spot! It’s no surprise really, we Portlanders certainly are obsessed with our locally grown organics… Just look at the graphic; 14,000 visitors is a lot and that’s why it’s important to get there early in order to minimize the elbow throwing to get the best strawberries.
Other market’s that made the list:
- Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, San Francisco
- Dane County Farmers Market, Madison
- Boulder Farmers Market, Boulder
- Union Square Green Market, NYC
It’s nice to know that my city of residence tops the list… Here’s the key to the graphic:
Bikes to Rwanda
These people are doing good things… if you like coffee you should definitely give this video a look. Check out BTR here and fall in love with the organization just like I did.
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