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and climate change available now can be used by MPOs in selecting strategies that are both <br />cost-efficient and effective at reducing GHG. <br />The Task Force recognizes that not all Oregonians agree about the urgency of addressing <br />climate change. Nevertheless, activities to reduce GHG emissions will have other important <br />benefits for communities that make them worthwhile. In addition, the recommendations in <br />this report build on the positive activities MPOs are undertaking to address GHG emission <br />reductions. Finally, the legislature already has concluded, with the 2007 legislative session’s <br />HB 3543, that it is state policy to reduce GHG emissions. <br />As the state, MPOs, and local governments undertake this daunting, yet crucial, effort to <br />meet the climate challenge, they must actively engage all segments of the population, as well <br />as key stakeholders in each community who are affected by transportation and land use <br />decisions. With adequate tools and resources, each of Oregon’s major metropolitan areas will <br />be able to fulfill its critical role in fostering regional consensus on a vision for a climate- <br />friendly future and implementing a suite of strategies to make that vision a reality. <br />Every Oregonian is a stakeholder in this process, and will be impacted by today’s land use <br />and transportation decisions. With adequate tools and resources, Oregon’s MPOs will be <br />able to capitalize on their role in providing a regional forum for cooperative transportation <br />decision making to take steps forward to reduce GHG emissions. <br />Page 8 <br />