Climate Curious Goes North

Last month we shook up the format by bringing Climate Curious outside. This month, we’re getting even more adventurous… by leaving the state.

Just a few minutes north of us is an entire river’s worth of climate solutions, many floating peacefully past without attracting much notice. These fascinating aspects of our climate future are being innovated and traded all along the Columbia, and it’s time we gave them a closer look.

Climate Curious is going north—to learn from the examples of changemakers in Washougal, Camas, and Vancouver Washington. We’ll learn about the opportunities for climate-concerned technology and business to strengthen communities, particularly in and around ports. What kinds of connections can be drawn across state lines—and what might we learn by comparing the opportunities that make Oregon and Washington each unique? We’ve assembled three speakers who will help us do just that:

As the port commissioner at Port of Camas-Washougal, David Ripp knows quite a bit about what kinds of construction, planning, and investment will and won’t activate economic activity in places where the land meets the water—and a lot of that includes climate-centered infrastructure. Mike Bomar has assured the long-term viability of the Port of Vancouver by making the most of partnerships and community relationships on every level. We’ll also hear from a member of the team at Columbia River Economic Development Council, which directly supports the proliferation of businesses in Southwest Washington.

Special thanks to our event sponsor Orrick, who launched the Portland location of their law offices in 2003. Orrick counsels prominent public entities in the Pacific Northwest on infrastructure, housing, education and economic developments that are transforming the region. They provide guidance to Portland’s emerging tech companies and businesses in renewable energy and power, and help leading companies protect IP assets.