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c3Category — Climate & Environment
Posted inNews

Oregon’s Wildlife is at Risk. Increasing the State’s Lodging Tax Could Help

A bill to raise Oregon’s lodging tax by 1.25 percent to benefit threatened animal species passed the House and now awaits a Senate vote.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Oregon lawmakers have advanced a bill to boost funding for wildlife conservation efforts and help protect the state’s most imperiled species.  House Bill 4134, also known as the 1.25 Percent for Wildlife bill, would increase the state’s lodging tax to 2.75 percent, directing most of the additional revenue to the Oregon Department of Fish and […]

Posted inNews

Councilors Want City to Move Faster on Enforcement of New Detention Center Fee

A recently adopted detention center impact fee aims to fine property owners whose tenants, like ICE, pollute surrounding areas with tear gas and other chemical agents.
Avatar photo Courtney Vaughn

Portland City Councilors Angelita Morillo and Mitch Green are asking the mayor and city administrator to expedite enforcement of a new detention center impact fee.  In a joint letter sent to Mayor Wilson’s office Tuesday, January 27, the councilors reminded him that the detention facility fee legislation went into effect on January 2. The new […]

Posted inMercury 2025 Recap

Mercury 2025 Recap: Environmental News

The new Portland City Council established a Climate Committee and pushed back against Zenith Energy, Portlanders fought for Forest Park, and more. 
Avatar photo Mercury Staff

Climate and the new City Council  Portland’s new City Council started grappling with the city’s climate issues as soon as councilors took office at the beginning of this year. One of the Council’s first acts of business in January was to establish eight policy committees—including one focused on environmental and land use issues. The Council […]

Posted inNews

Amid Grim Outlook for National Climate Investments, Portland’s Clean Energy Fund Doles Out Nearly $64 Million

PCEF awarded grants to 59 local nonprofits for climate projects. The news comes as the well-endowed program is at risk of being tapped for other city priorities.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

It’s been a tough year for climate work around the country, with the Trump administration slashing funding for programs intended to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the threats of the climate crisis. But Portland has a secret weapon for local environmental action: The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, also known as PCEF. To date, […]

Posted inWinter Guide 2025

Why So SAD?

When darker months hit, so can seasonal affective disorder. Here’s how to deal.
Avatar photo Courtenay Hameister

[What follows is one of the many merry articles in the Mercury’s Winter Guide 2025. Find a print copy here, subscribe to get a copy mailed to you here, and if you’re feeling generous this holiday season, support us here.—eds.] Every fall, it happens. The first moment you can feel hot air escaping through your […]

Posted inNews

Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Environmental Advocates in Zenith Energy Lawsuit

Environmental advocates celebrated the procedural win, saying the Land Use Board of Appeals has a better grasp on complicated land use policy
Avatar photo Jeremiah Hayden

Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Environmental Advocates in Zenith Energy Lawsuit. Environmental advocates celebrated the procedural win, saying the Land Use Board of Appeals has a better grasp on complicated land use policy.

Posted inOpinion

An Amphibian Resistance

There’s a movement leaping into action through Portland’s inflatable frog protest mascots. Their real-life amphibian counterparts are resisters, too, but they need our help. 
Avatar photo Suze Wehr

Earlier this month, the image of a courageous inflatable frog standing alone before militarized law enforcement during a protest at Portland’s ICE facility filled the newsfeeds of folks in Oregon (and around the world). Bright green and wide-eyed, the peaceful demonstrator embraced the power of contrast, cartoonishly innocent in the face of weaponized government overreach. […]

Posted inNews

Zenith Energy Legal Fight Highlights Gaps in Portland’s Environmental Guardrails

Climate activists say the city has little authority to enforce restrictions it imposed on a controversial oil transport operation.
Avatar photo Abe Asher

When the city of Portland permitted Zenith Energy to continue operating its fuel transport and storage facility in Northwest Portland three years ago, it did so on several conditions designed to limit potential harms to the environment.  The land use compatibility statement issued by the city requires Zenith to phase out its use of crude […]

Posted inNews

Updated: County Declares Emergency as Portland Faces Dangerous, Extended Heat Wave

Multnomah County will open two daytime cooling centers and extend hours at three libraries. 
Avatar photo Mercury Staff

Update: 11:45, Monday, August 25: Multnomah County announced it won’t reopen cooling centers today, as temperatures have fallen below emergency thresholds. The forecast still predicts hot weather (low 90s) through Tuesday evening, so health officials advise people to maintain heat precautions, especially those particularly susceptible to heat-related illness.  Update: Noon, Sunday, August 24: Multnomah County’s […]

Posted inNews

Updated: The Willamette River is Swimmable Again, Health Officials Say

The Oregon Health Authority has lifted its advisory against recreating on the river, issued last week due to a toxic algae bloom.
Avatar photo Taylor Griggs

Update August 19, 2025: The Oregon Health Authority lifted its advisory warning of a harmful algal bloom on the Willamette River, stating “water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Ross Island Lagoon and the Willamette River…are below recreational guideline values for people.” OHA continues to advise people be “alert to signs of […]

Posted inNews

Daytime Cooling Centers Reopen In Portland Tuesday Amid Extreme Heat Wave

Multnomah County declared a state of emergency due to prolonged high temps. Three cooling sites will stay open until 9 pm Tuesday, with libraries open until 8 pm.
Avatar photo Mercury Staff

Originally published: Monday, August 11 With temperatures soaring around 100 degrees Monday and Tuesday, Multnomah County residents can find reprieve from the extreme heat wave at cooling centers and local libraries.  Multnomah County has declared a state of emergency, and reopened three daytime cooling centers at noon today. Four county library branches—Albina, Central, Gresham, and […]

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