Planning, Zoning and Land Use.
1. Cities need to change and update their previously stated planning goals and practices to reduce the current and future impacts of climate change (adaptation). They need as well to join other cities around the world in committing to reducing their GHG emissions to a carbon-neutral level by a specific year, up to but not beyond 2050 (mitigation). www.rmi.org/four-lessons-for-cities-in-the-latest-ipcc-report/
2. Early in the climate action planning process, engage with your City’s community to ask/discuss how the City could become carbon-neutral – how it could become a world leader in climate action.
3. Clearly and forcefully declare and quantify decarbonization goals which the City intends to achieve in 5 and 10-year cycles – 2025, 2030, 2040, 2050. “Turning Ambitious Decarbonization Goals into Reality Requires an Integrated Approach” www.smartcitiesdive.com 1/31/22.
4. The City’s designated climate action staff member/s should focus on the decarbonization of buildings, transportation, waste and electrical power.
5. Appoint a broad-based committee or working group on climate matters to work with City officials, City department heads, and citizens groups.
6. Initiate the formation of an organization composed of local activist youth – of high school and college age – to gain their input and efforts into the climate action planning process. EG., the Sunrise Movement www.sunrisemovement.org
7. Hold discussions with individual seniors, as well as with representatives of older citizens, to begin to form a climate action political base with this demographic. Eg., through the local senior center, members of AARP, or through Elders Climate Action. www.eldersclimateaction.org
8. Initiate contacts with individual military veterans, as well as with representatives of nearby veterans organizations. Many of these people will be open to help move your city towards greater levels of climate action.
9. Identify educators – school teachers, college faculty members – to seek their formal and active involvement in your city’s climate planning efforts.
10. There is an organization called Mothers Out Front (www.mothersoutfront.org) that is active in climate issues in many areas. Try to get a chapter up and running in your city.
11. Identify health industry professionals – medical doctors, nurses, dentists, etc. – who reside in your city. Reach out to them to become active in climate change activities in your city.
12. Seek out business leaders in your community, perhaps through your nearest Chamber of Commerce chapter. The national U.S. Chamber of Commerce is strongly on record as supporting climate action at all levels. “On Climate Change, Inaction is Simply Not an Option”. www.uschamber.com
13. Initiate a working relationship among City departments, City schools, and the utility which provides electrical power to your city, aimed at reducing and eliminating power generated by fossil fuels by specific dates.
14. Determine which national or international organizations to affiliate with for gaining assistance on the path to climate neutrality. These include but are not limited to: Global Covenant of Mayors (www.globalcovenantofmayors); C40 Cities (www.c40cities.org) ; Climate Mayors (www.climatemayors.org) ; or Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (carbonneutralcities.org)
15. Explore the specific climate programs – if any – offered by your state government. Participate in as many as possible.
16. Create something like a Carbon Neutral (Your City) Partner Program, as they have done in Adelaide, Australia, that advances and celebrates joint City, community, and business leadership towards a low-carbon economy. www.carbonneutraladelaide.com.au/partner/business .
17. Coordinate with nearby cities, towns, counties, and other relevant jurisdictions re. what they are doing concerning climate. Integrate your City’s climate action plans and activities with theirs whenever possible.
18. Initiate a working relationship on climate matters with your City’s regional or county planning agency, assuming that it has already embarked on a worthwhile climate technical assistance program to benefit the communities that it serves.
19. Equity issues. Cities embarking on climate action planning and activities need to keep in mind that all of its citizens, regardless of race, cultural identity, religious affiliation, etc. have a right to be protected from environmental hazards, and to live and enjoy as clean and healthful an environment as anyone else.
20. Take a fresh look, especially in coastal cities, at how zoning regulates building in waterfront areas, flood zones, etc. “Coastal Cities Rethink Zoning Regulations in Fight Against Climate Change” www.governing.com 5/2/19.
21. Explore how Digital Twins Technology (DTT) can be used to create a connected digital replica of different aspects of a city. The twin can monitor and alter performance in real time and help city planners make decisions about existing and future problems and performance.
22. Review your city’s zoning code to identify needless restrictions that prohibit or inhibit solar and wind development. Such as by making solar a by right accessory use in all zones, so that special permits or hearings are not required.
23. Provide a streamlined permitting pathway for small pv systems, such as SolarAPP+.
24. Cities in which commercial fossil fuel extraction activities occur should move to phase them out. “In Historic Move, Los Angeles Bans New Oil Wells, Phases Out Existing Ones” www.latimes.com 12/2/22.
25. Local housing authorities, and other entities within City government, such as hospitals and school departments, should be encouraged/required to participate in the wider city climate action planning effort.
