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II. Introduction Scientists have become increasingly alarmed at what they see as a real risk that the Earth’s climate will change rapidly and drastically over the next several decades. These changes pose a real threat to populations that depend upon our existing predictable weather patterns, whether they are human, animal or plant. These changes pose threats to humans and to animal and plant populations that are adapted to existing climatic conditions. The climatic changes that are developing and are predicted to occur will drastically affect water availability, agricultural productivity, the abundance of natural resources, and the frequency and severity of flooding and other weather-related emergencies. In 2004, the Governor’s Advisory Group on Global Warming concluded: “Global warming is not just another environmental issue. … Absent decisive actions across the globe … [t]he impacts of such changes on Oregon citizens, businesses and environmental values are likely to be extensive and destructive. Coastal and river flooding, snowpack declines, lower summer river flows, impacts to farm and forest productivity, energy cost increases, public health effects, and increased pressures on many fish and wildlife species are some of the iii effects anticipated by scientists at Oregon and Washington universities.” The economic impacts of inaction are large. A report produced for the University of Oregon's Climate Leadership Initiative's Program on Climate Economics by ECONorthwest estimated that if nothing is done to reduce GHG emissions, Oregon will face approximately $3.3 billion in annual costs, which could translate to an individual tab of about 4 percent of iv annual household income by 2020. Oregon has prided itself on being ahead of the curve when it comes to addressing environmental issues. The Governor and the Legislature have developed policies to curtail practices and activities that contribute to the likelihood and severity of adverse climate change. In 2007, the Legislative Assembly accepted the challenge of climate change by adopting House Bill 3543 (codified at ORS 468A.205), and declaring “it is the policy of this state to reduce GHG emissions in Oregon pursuant to the following GHG emissions reduction goals by: (a)2010, arrest the growth of Oregon’s GHG emissions and begin to reduce GHG emissions (b)2020, achieve GHG levels that are 10 percent below 1990 levels (c)2050, achieve GHG levels that are at least 75 percent below 1990 levels.” In 2008, the Governors Transportation Vision Committee presented five transitional “pillars” of a future framework, including “Ensure Oregon’s transportation system meets the state’s vi goals for reducing GHG emissions.” Reducing GHG emissions from the transportation sector will require Oregonians to have choices in how they travel, the transportation systems that serve them and the towns and neighborhoods in which they live and work. As the state’s population and economy grow, Oregon will be unable to meet its emission reduction targets if Oregonians have no choice but to continue driving as much as the average household does today. New planning initiatives are needed in the state’s fast-growing metropolitan areas to enable communities to provide a mix of transportation choices — walking, biking and transit Page 3