for more detail on an issue, please click on the issue above.

Growing sustainability in Oregon will help us create more family wage jobs, grow our economy and most importantly, be the kind of aspirational goal that will make us an even greater city. In addition, as we grow, following a sustainability path will allow us to keep our urban growth boundaries and better maintain our livability. Sustainability is a core value for Oregon and it's the right thing to do economically and ethically. We need to continue to innovate, to be on the edge of sustainable thinking and implementation.

Buildings and houses are a key part of sustainability, as approximately 60% of energy in the US is consumed by buildings. We need to set a path to build net-zero and net-positive buildings and houses now, that are economically viable. Let's do lessons learned on the failed Sustainability Center in Portland and do a public/private partnership building to set a new standard, a new aspirational goal.

As our schools educate our future generations, our new school buildings should strive for excellence in sustainability, so our children are even better at sustainability than we are. What will it take to make the next new high schools net-zero?

More sustainability products need to be made in Portland that are exportable internationally. Energy producers: wind, solar, wave. Some things we have not even thought of yet.

Universities should help lead the charge, and I support even closer ties with the private sector and our universities (and schools) to develop new sustainable technologies.

Our reputation as a leader in sustainability needs to be constantly pushed to new goals, new frontiers.

Take care of the basics, take care of our people, and aspire to be great.