Climate Restoration

Presentation to:

Columbus Indivisible

St Paul Episcopal Church

Thursday, JUNE 15, 2017

6:30 PM

Mission:

“CLIMATE RESTORATION is a youth-led team inspiring our community and elected officials to take valiant actions against climate change.”

Summary:

  1. Asking for a commitment by City Council for a process to be put in place that will lead to a set of energy efficiency and climate friendly projects that make sense for the community.
  2. That process should includeparticipation of citizens, including youth, and city government experts.
  3. They would be charged with making recommendations to City Council for specific goals and projects and tracking mechanisms, which we hope City Council would then review, improve upon as you see fit, and approve.

“WHY” this is important:

  1. Moral commitment remains to uphold the Paris Climate Accord.
  2. Potentially devastating risksfrom an inadequate response.
  3. Indiana: increase in extreme hot weather, storms, flooding, and droughts.The first responsibility of local government is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens.
  4. The public trust doctrine requires public officials to protect natural resources for future generations.
  5. Most Council members agreed that climate change is indeed real and we should be figuring out how to respond to it.
  6. Restoring the climate will enhance our community and make it prosper.

“WHAT” we are seeking:

  1. Numerous governmental bodies across the nation have already adopted climate action plans to immediately and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. In Indiana,
  3. Indianapolis and Carmel have recently passed Climate Action resolutions.
  4. South Bend, Bloomington, North Manchester, West Lafayette, and Chesterton have all recently started.
  5. North Vernon recently committed to using solar energy to power all of the municipal facilities.
  6. Climate friendly actions involve less energy consumption.
  7. Using less energy can save money for all taxpayers. Some projects will take investments.
  8. Others are low or no cost options.
  9. Overtime, many projectspay for themselves
  10. At St.Bartholomew we have taken actions to reduce carbon emissions. Specifically, we are trying to reduce idling, and improve safety.

“HOW” this could work:

  1. We are asking for a commitmentfor a process to be put into place that leads to a list of actionable projects.
  2. We want a participatory process in which citizens and youth and experts in city government come together to set goals and track progress.
  3. We envision the Council authorizing a Climate Action Team
  4. There would be a series of projects scored in terms of costs and benefits.
  5. Goal-settingthat is effective in counteracting climate change.
  6. The Team would report back to the Council periodically with recommendations.
  7. The Council would authorize and adopt projects.

In Conclusion:

“We are lifetime stakeholders in this community. We think it is vital for Columbus to up its game in sustainable and climate friendly ways to continue to be a great city as the future becomes more challenging.”

Next Steps with Indivisible:

  1. Express support for the student’s Climate Action Plan proposal:
  2. Go to City Council Meetings and speak up in Public Discussion.
  3. Call, meet with, or write letters of support to Council Members.
  4. Tell Council you would volunteer to be part of a Climate Action Team.
  5. Research resolutions of other cities.
  6. Research models for Sustainability Commissions.

Contact: 812-344-8825 (leave voicemail)