Oregon150

By Dawn Rasmussen

As a non-native Oregonian transplanted almost 25 years ago to this incredible state, I’ve grown accustomed to thinking about everything I do in a green way since setting foot here.  From recycling or composting as much waste as possible, to not consuming as much, to consciously thinking about how I am going to connect various errands so I reduce my driving (and subsequent carbon footprint), it’s a green way of thinking.   I probably wouldn’t have adopted this perspective if I had stayed in any of my previous residences in Wisconsin, North Carolina, or Louisiana.  It’s a different mentality in those states.  To me, Oregon’s forward-thinking is completely cutting-edge, and is producing some of the technology that will provide power and resources for future generations.  The Green Revolution is starting right here with the explosion of renewable energy companies, recycling programs, connections to local producers, and mass transit.  And it is extremely exciting to be at the heart of all of this enterprise!

Maybe this evolution of thinking has a lot to do with the hordes of outdoor enthusiasts (I count myself among them) that are out in nature in all seasons, reveling in nature’s majesty.  Being in the outdoors brings you closer to environmental impacts.  I’ve seen a profound respect and awareness for our environment here, and how it impacts us really become a core belief to many residents. This is shaping what we do now on a daily basis, and how we will live in years to come.

Out of this synergy for our environment has also come a sense of responsibility. I can tell you that there is one secret spot that I enjoy visiting in Eastern  Oregon, far up in the vast folds of a wilderness area, where the only sound you’ll hear is the wind soughing in the tops of the mountain pines, and the occasional bird calls.  It is peaceful, serene, and ageless, without disruption from humans.

That, to me, is the sound of infinity, and as stewards of this great state, it is ever so important to protect and preserve this for not just future generations, but for the planet as well.   Will development ever touch this region, I wonder? I sure hope not.  These isolated pockets of undisturbed natural landscape may play an even greater role in the future health of the planet than we might even suspect.

I spend a lot of time in reflection while visiting these sacred remote areas, thinking about how I can do a better job of being a caretaker of this planet.  I feel grateful that Oregon has taken giant leaps forward to instill in every citizen a sense of responsibility, including the child that came up with the sign posted near curbside storm drains “DUMP NO WASTE-DRAINS TO RIVER” - the messages are everywhere.  Little things add up to big things, and that’s where momentum begins.

Others from outside the area may scoff at the “Greenie” Oregonians, but if they look a little closer, they will realize that there’s a reason why we want to protect this precious resource.  It’s our living room. Our dinner table.  Our vacation spot.  Our livelihood. Our home.

I predict that there will be a day when gasoline will be a faded memory, and the days of supermarkets being chock-full of vegetables and products literally from around the world will seem the epitome of excess and gluttony.  We currently take it for granted, not really factoring in the amount of travel a vegetable from California or a wine from Chile had to reach our local grocery store shelf.

Understanding how intertwined our commerce is with transportation systems will help us plan for the future of our state, our nation and our planet.  As economic conditions fluctuate and businesses go boom or bust, it is also important to take individual responsibility to do better despite external market forces.  Use more efficiently.  Buy less. Be innovative.  Demand technologies that will help us be less wasteful.  It’s not just an economic condition, but an environmental one too, as global climate change continues to shift weather patterns and alter our environment forever.

Oregon is home to an amazing blend of rural and urban landscapes, scenic beauty, and diverse peoples.  It’s also a hotbed of ideas, can-do innovation, and a careful concern for others and the environment.  I feel lucky to be part of an amazing area that is getting in tune with the surroundings and taking steps to protect it. For all of our sake.