Dear Mayor Combs and Council Members,
As you consider the Climate Action Plan Updates this evening (carried over from your March 23 Council Meeting), it is noteworthy that several dozen people have expressed strong support for the Climate Plan to stay on track, including the bold set of core measures adopted in July 2020.
A recent article underscores well the importance of cities like Menlo Park leading on actions to reduce carbon pollution: Cities and states must lead as window of opportunity shrinks for climate action. The article notes that while the federal government has now taken key steps to ensure our nation aggressively confronts the climate crisis, it is still critical that leaders at every level of government and policy work together to towards a more stable and safe climate.
Some of the most important decisions in climate policy, like transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, are made at the local level. Here in San Mateo County, for example, Peninsula Clean Energy has begun providing 100% Carbon Free power to everyone (and at a slight discount!). The article notes that “Over the past four years, the most meaningful movement on climate in the United States has come from cities and states.”
“The summer and fall of 2020 more clearly than ever demonstrated across the West that we are on a dangerous path forward, fueled by the climate crisis.” Federal policies including investments in infrastructure are extremely helpful. However, the kind of action we need to avert the worst impacts of climate change is coming from cities like Menlo Park. Please keep up the City’s leadership on sustainability. Our residents and businesses can only benefit from these thoughtful and early actions.
Sincerely,
Diane Bailey
Diane Bailey, Climate Change Professional (CC-P) | Executive Director
MENLO SPARK
diane@menlospark.org | 650-281-7073
Visit us: www.MenloSpark.org & www.FossilFreeBuildings.org
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Climate Neutral for a Healthy, Prosperous Menlo Park
EV, PV & Fossil Free: Guides for Electric Cars, solar & Fossil Free Homes at: http://menlospark.org/what-we-do/
For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it. – Amanda Gorman
