In Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, we’re faced with the prospect of becoming a primary gateway for exporting massive fossil fuel deposits—Alberta tar sands, Bakken shale oil, and coal in Wyoming and Montana’s Powder River Basin—to Asian markets.

But, the region is shaping up to be what Eric de Place calls a Thin Green Line, a last line of defense against the fossil fuel industry’s relentless pursuit of profit—and that pursuit’s devastating consequences for our communities and the climate.

A powerful narrative is unfolding in cities and towns across the region: The triumph of good over evil. Small town heroes are taking on multinational villains to protect the people and places they love; local climate action is having real, measurable global impact; and communities are standing together to loosen the fossil fuel industry’s tight grip on our energy choices and charting cleaner, safer, healthier pathways forward.

These stories give us hope and inspiration, and…talking points to take to the next fight—and win.

Original Sightline Institute graphic, available under our free use policy.

Original Sightline Institute graphic, available under our free use policy.

June 4, 2015