Bradbury battles global warming

Oregon's secretary of state brings former Vice President Al Gore's global warming presentation to Scappoose High

By Cecelia Haack

The South County Spotlight, Oct 2, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (2 Reader comments)

Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury spoke about global warming and Oregon's role in reversing the problem during a presentation at Scappoose High School on Monday, Sept. 29.

Cecelia Haack / The South County Spotlight

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“We’re blowing it,” said Bill Bradbury, Oregon secretary of state. “We’re creating a situation on the planet that will leave our kids with a planet that isn’t in great shape.”

Bradbury spoke at Scappoose High School on Monday, Sept. 29. His visit was coordinated and sponsored by the Elections 2008 class. More than 50 people showed up to hear him speak.

In 2006 Bradbury was one of the first 50 people trained by former Vice President Al Gore to speak on global warming and the imminent threat it creates.

In Oregon he said rising temperatures are already changing our environment. All the glaciers on Mt. Hood are shrinking; in 20 years there has been a dramatic change. The decrease in size equals:

u 61 percent of the White River Glacier.

u 19 percent of the Eliot Glacier.

u 15 percent of the Coe Glacier.

u 37 percent of the Glisan Glacier.

Seventy-four percent of the water that sustains the crops in the Hood River Valley comes from the White River Glacier.

“What will happen to the agriculture in that valley when the glaciers melt away?” asked Bradbury.

Between 1950 and 2003 temperatures rose 2.25 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas of the Pacific Northwest. Warmer temperatures have caused an eightfold increase in the destruction of forests by the Oregon bark beetle. The beetles thrive in the warmer temperatures.

The temperature in the Columbia River in August and September is averaging between 68 and 71 degrees Fahrenheit. 70 degrees is very stressful for salmon. 75 degrees is deadly for them. Bradbury said that by 2040 the Yakima, Snake and Willamette river basins will be too hot for salmon.

In 1996 Vernonia was hit by a 100-year flood. The town was devastated. Last year in December another 100-year flood hit the town. This flood was accompanied by the longest-lasting high-wind storm on record.

Increases in sea temperatures drive more severe storms and the Northwest can expect a 100-year flood event every few years.

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