I believe we can all acknowledge that the climate is warming. This year will be one of the warmest on record, and the biggest El Niño ever seen will most likely make next year the warmest in recorded history. Oregon is in a decade-plus drought and this year was the worst fire season in modern history in terms of acres burned. We experience the earlier arrival of warm weather and that heat extends longer into the winter.

The human body requires a very narrow range of internal temperature to function. Too warm or too cold and we suffer damage or death. While hurricanes, floods and tornadoes are dramatic and attract our attention, heat is by far the leading cause of climate mortality. The most vulnerable are the young, the old (less effective compensatory abilities), those with significant chronic illness and those who cannot escape the ambient temperature or humidity due to inadequate housing. The mitigation of these negative effects are adequate relief from high temperature and humidity.

The Eugene Clean Energy Fund addresses this with funding to provide weatherization assistance, new or more efficient air conditioning units, and subsidies for these improvements to the most vulnerable members of our community. 

The warming climate also increases the risk of wildland fire and the accompanying exposure to fine particulate air pollution. While not an immediate cause of death, this exposure imposes a significant risk of premature death in people with heart and lung problems, and pregnant mothers. It can also lead to lung cancer, type 2 diabetes and asthma. Again, the Eugene Clean Energy Fund addresses these issues with improved weatherization and air filtration devices to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations of our city.

All of these measures require funding. The Eugene Clean Energy Fund is an innovative fee assessed on very large corporations with significant business income from our citizens. For our families, our neighbors, our community, I strongly urge you to vote yes on Measure 20-388.

Bruce Tufts, RN
Eugene