The Hidden Impacts of Material Consumption and the Opportunity for Real Climate Action

David Allaway, Senior Policy Analyst at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, brings more than 35 years of experience in environmental policy. In this presentation, he shows how a consumption-based view of emissions reveals overlooked opportunities to reduce climate impacts, drawing on Oregon’s emissions inventory and related policy examples. He also highlights the important role older adults can play as effective environmental stewards and advocates, as demonstrated by organizations such as SSAFE.

Presented at the SSAFE general meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2026.