Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Community GHG Emissions

A major concern to the Lake Oswego community and beyond is a changing climate due to increased greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from human activity. That is why we took the proactive step to measure the total contribution of GHG emissions from the community (all residents and businesses in Lake Oswego). With a better understanding of the community’s carbon footprint, we can work together to find solutions that will not only reduce the community’s GHG emissions, but may have multiple other benefits, such as cleaner air, more localized economic opportunities, and a more connected, livable, and resilient community.

Local Government GHG Emissions

In 2010, the City completed a GHG inventory for City operations. An inventory was also completed for 2000. The results of both inventories as well as an overview presentation can be found in the Sustainability Action Plan.

Resources

We make a million choices, every day, and they all add up to this big picture. So challenge yourself, and take one step at a time to reducing your carbon footprint! Here are some resources to help you understand your carbon footprint:

  • For households and residential community members, use the Oregon Carbon Footprint Calculator for Households (a partnership of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and the CoolClimate Network, a program of the University of California, Berkeley). The U.S. Department of Energy has very detailed home energy calculators that compare your home's energy usage to that of your neighbors while making recommendations on how to reduce your home energy usage. The U.S. EPA Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick is a very useful starting place on your journey to home energy efficiency!
  • For small businesses, use the Small Business Carbon Footprint Calculator from the CoolClimate Network. The U.S. Small Business Administration provides more detailed calculators for specific business needs that may also be of use.

Keep Oregon Cool, the website of the Oregon Global Warming Commission, provides excellent information about climate change impacts, State emission reduction goals, and actions we can all take to reduce our contribution to climate change.

Metro's Climate Change website provides information about our region's carbon footprint and actions individuals and businesses can take to reduce our emissions.