NRDC’s Gina McCarthy: Oregon Climate Executive Order Reflects Urgency of Our Time

SALEM, OR — Oregon Governor Kate Brown today signed an executive order to reduce the state’s climate change emissions, after Republicans walked out of the state legislative session for the second year in a row to prevent the passage of a cap and invest bill.

Following is a statement from Gina McCarthy, President and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC):

“Oregon’s executive order is the right thing to do and reflects the urgency of the climate crisis. We need courage over cowardice and Oregon is showing that leadership today. It's time for people to take priority over polluters and their friends in power. I am so proud to see women continuing to lead the way because they recognize that fighting climate change is all about keeping our families safe and ensuring our children have the future they deserve. It's time to build a better, healthier, more prosperous tomorrow for the people we love. This is the year of no excuses and no regrets.”

Additional resources:
Oregon Poised (Again) to Cap Carbon Pollution (January 2020)
Oregon Must Act on Climate in 2019 (July 2019)
Oregon Legislators Walk Out on Climate (July 2019)

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at NRDC.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.