Community engagement activity informs SCC process

This engaging, no-pressure activity was designed to gather additional community input for the formation of the SCC. The activity used the image and function of a tree to ask what values, goals, and visions would support the success of the future Sustainability and Climate Commission. It also invited input on what would demonstrate success and what future headlines might say.

City staff received over 200 responses through interactive sticky notes during in-person events as well as through an online survey system. After reviewing and analyzing this input, we identified several themes and repeated responses worth sharing here.

Responses to SCC tree activity

View full size image of Graphic of a tree with roots but no leaves or flowers that includes outline sections where flowers, indicating actionable outcomes and goals, leaves, indicating visions for the future, the trunk, indicating frameworks for values that guide the visions, and the roots, which indicate the values to drive everything above, noted.

Values (Roots)

On what values should the Sustainability and Climate Commission be founded? What are your values for sustainability and climate action?

• Accountability
• Urgent action
• Collaborative & community-centered
• Reconciling with communities that suffer from environmental harms & injustices
• Honor the land & interconnectedness of healthy ecology & healthy communities

Elements for Stability (Trunk)

What foundational elements does the Sustainability and Climate Commission need? What frameworks does the Sustainability and Climate Commission need to be successful?

• Defined metrics & climate priorities
• Contribution from all other functioning parts of the City
• Diverse representation on Commission
• Proper staffing, resources, & funds
• Power to implement change

Visions (Leaves)

What are your climate and sustainability visions for the future of Portland? What are important climate and sustainability goals for Portland?

• Roadmap to free, equitable public transit
• Neighborhood climate resiliency hubs
• Incentives for both innovation and mandates
• Eliminate fossil fuel use & storage
• Increasing equitable tree canopy & greenspaces
• Alignment to city, state, regional, & international climate goals

Outcomes (Flowers)

What outcomes will you see when we're successful? What are the "news headlines" when we're successful?

• Portland is global climate action leader
• Portland meets 2050 net zero goals
• "Portland had no air quality advisories for this year!”
• “Portland weathers the storm, all communities show increased resilience!”

This activity was inspired by the approach designed by Taren Evans and Nikita Daryanani at the Coalition of Communities of Color. See more on this blog.