Climate
Latest Stories

The National Weather Service ‘is not wasteful,’ says Oregon state climatologist amid rampant federal job cuts
State climatologist Larry O’Neill, who works closely with National Weather Service personnel, says the impact of cuts on Oregon could be critical.

With Oregon’s 2 largest federal climate grants on hold — for now — state agencies are left at a standstill
The state’s largest federal grant, a $197 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, and the $86 million Solar For All Grant are suspended. Oregon agencies don't know when — or if — the promised funds will be released.

Portland’s climate action fund awards $300 million to large-scale projects
The Portland Clean Energy Fund has now allocated more than $740 million to city bureaus, roughly half of its overall spending.

Explaining Oregon’s problem paying for wildfire work
Oregon has hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid bills from this year's wildfire season. Here's what you need to know.

Portland approves climate action fund’s $1.5 billion budget
The Portland Clean Energy Fund will boost spending to more than $1.5 billion over the next five years.

Voters upheld Washington’s major climate law. Advocates hope it’ll be a blueprint for other states
Voters upheld Washington’s major climate law. Advocates hope it’ll be a blueprint for other states

Science & Environment
New report shows how Oregon’s kelp forests have dwindled
According to a status report released by the Oregon Kelp Alliance in November, nearly 900 acres of bull kelp forest has essentially disappeared off the Oregon Coast since 2010.

Potential for protecting Owyhee Canyonlands takes urgency in final months of Biden administration
More than a million acres of wildlands in Eastern Oregon could be preserved through federal legislation or a monument declaration from the president. This could be the last chance for the Owyhee Canyonlands to see additional protections for years.
Hamburgers contribute to climate change. OSU researchers say kelp is on the way
Oregon State University researchers want to find a way to make your hamburger less bad for the planet. They’re doing that by feeding cows a food that’s not grown on land — seaweed.
Think Out Loud
Oregon State University study sheds light on elusive western spotted skunk
A researcher at Oregon State University spent two and a half years trapping and tracking western spotted skunks in forests in the western Cascades to learn more about their behavior and the threats they face.