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The success of our Climate Action Plan relies on engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including public entities, businesses, community organizations, employees, and residents.
This is because the county has clear authority in some areas of the plan, while other areas will require collaborating with organizations that have responsibilities in those areas. We also know that engaging our communities and developing strong and diverse partnerships will make our strategies more impactful, more ambitious, and more achievable.
We have several initiatives underway that involve working with partners and engaging the community to advance our climate action efforts.
This newsletter includes findings from the first phase of community engagement for the Zero Waste Plan, an opportunity to become a partner in the Stop Food Waste Challenge, and information about U.S. Department of Energy LEAP grant. We have also been participating in meetings throughout the community and are in the process of hiring two community engagement liaisons who will establish and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.
Hennepin County is developing a Zero Waste Plan that will advance greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies outlined in the Climate Action Plan.
Our zero-waste vision is a system where all materials are designed to become resources for others to use. To the county, zero waste means preventing 90% or more of all discarded materials from being landfilled or incinerated.
The climate impact of the stuff we buy and use
Creating new products requires energy – to harvest raw material, process it, manufacture it, transport it, and sometimes, to use it. When looking at greenhouse gas emissions from the stuff we buy and use, 45% of global emissions are associated with producing and transporting goods.
Achieving zero waste will require significant changes in the choices we all make in our day-to-day lives and transformative changes in the policies, programs and resources that make up the solid waste system.
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Join a Zero Waste Plan work group
Hennepin County is seeking residents and representatives from businesses, community organizations, and multifamily properties to participate in work groups to develop actions for the Zero Waste Plan. Work groups will learn about challenges and opportunities to achieve zero waste, review and propose actions that will accelerate the county’s path to zero waste, and finalize recommended actions for inclusion in the county’s Zero Waste Plan.
Learn more about participating on an action planning work group, and register to join a work group by Tuesday, July 12 by completing this short form.
Additional information about ways to give feedback will be shared on beheardhennepin.org and through Zero Waste Plan email updates.
What we heard the community wants in a zero-waste future
Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Plan is being guided by a broad community engagement process with a strong focus on equity and disparity reduction.
During the first phase of community engagement in spring 2022, the county sought to understand the community’s experiences and concerns with the solid waste management system and learn their priorities and ideas for solutions.
To gather that feedback, the county worked with a cohort of community groups to hold conversations with residents who have traditionally been left out of the solid waste planning process, gathered responses through a variety of online engagement tools, and met with industry stakeholders.
The following key findings emerged from all three feedback approaches:
- Offer more recycling options and create better, more equitable access to services
- Put the responsibility on businesses and producers of materials
- Increase education and outreach
- Change the cost structure, offer incentives, and invest in community-based solutions
- Invest in zero waste initiatives and act urgently
Read more about what we heard from the community during the first phase of community engagement.
We love food, which leaves us wondering: why do we let so much of it go to waste? About 40% of food is wasted somewhere along the supply chain, and you may be surprised to learn that much of that food waste happens at home.
Improve your food-waste-fighting skills
Learning skills like creating a meal plan, buying just what you need at the grocery store, cooking creatively, and properly storing food can have a big impact on reducing the amount of food in your home that goes to waste.
Join Hennepin County’s online Stop Food Waste Challenge to learn easy, practical skills that will help you stop wasting food, put more money in your pocket, and create a healthier environment.
Even better, taking steps to reduce food waste is one of the most important actions we can take to address climate change.
The challenge goes from August 1 through August 31. Sign up now!
After you sign up, be sure to check out the resources section for tools to encourage others to join.
Become a 2022 Stop Food Waste Challenge Partner
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We are seeking partners to help to help increase promotion, recruitment, and engagement for the upcoming Stop Food Waste Challenge.
All partners will have their logo displayed on the challenge website, gain access to promotional materials, and get various recognition and cross-promotion during the challenge. There is no cost to become a partner.
Learn more about partnership opportunities, and fill out the partnership form to become a partner.
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The City of Minneapolis is reducing the impact of climate change in Minneapolis. As the city makes a 10-year update to the 2013 Climate Action Plan, your help is needed to meet the plan's ambitious goals: eliminating carbon emissions and improving the daily lives of residents, particularly those most impacted by changes in our climate.
Take the Minneapolis Climate Action and Equity Plan survey.
Minnesota’s heat waves are getting more humid
Hennepin County and cities partner with U.S. Department of Energy to engage residents about electric vehicle infrastructure and reducing disparities
Hennepin County and the cities of Brooklyn Park and Minneapolis will be working with the U.S. Department of Energy through the new Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP) to expand electric vehicle infrastructure and engage the community on ways to reduce disparities in transportation access and planning.
The project will involve engaging residents to explore potential electric mobility solutions, including electric vehicles, car and ride-share services, and charging infrastructure, to develop a set of transportation electrification priorities and principles. The efforts will serve as a blueprint for additional local, state, regional and utility transportation electrification planning. Read more in the Star Tribune.
Hennepin County’s response to climate change is important. The county leads in many areas that offer the most effective ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The county must also work toward eliminating disparities in our response to climate change and prioritize protecting the health of residents amid increasing threats. The following are some of the climate solutions the county is currently pursuing.
Salvaging and reusing building materials to combat climate change
Hennepin County recently helped fund the relocation of a Victorian house with beautiful woodwork, built circa 1900, through a structural moves grant. Reusing and reducing construction and demolition waste — such as keeping a perfectly good house out of a landfill — is an important strategy in the Climate Action Plan.
When it’s time to remodel or demolish a building, the materials have the potential to be salvaged and reused or recycled.
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“When we salvage building materials for reuse, we’re preventing the need for new materials and we’re preserving and honoring all the embodied energy in the materials." - Carolyn Collopy, Hennepin County waste reduction and recycling supervisor
Making deconstruction and reuse more affordable with building reuse grants
To help make deconstruction and salvaging building materials more affordable, Hennepin County has funding available for a variety of building projects.
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Residential deconstruction grants: Funding for residential properties built prior to 1970 to deconstruct building materials for reuse.
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Commercial deconstruction grants: Funding for commercial properties, including multifamily apartment buildings, to deconstruct building materials for reuse.
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Structural move grants: Funding to physically relocate a building to another location, avoiding demolition waste and preserving the cultural and historical integrity of the building.
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Used building material installation grants: A new grant to “close the loop” by funding remodel, renovation, and new construction projects that incorporate used building materials.
For more information and to apply, go to hennepin.us/building-reuse.
Learn more about how Hennepin County is salvaging and reusing building materials to combat climate change.
Keeping our beaches safe
Minnesotans love visiting lakes and beaches throughout the summer. But keeping an eye on water safety is increasingly important since climate change is expected to increase water-related illness. This is because more rain and runoff from agricultural and industrial sites can create conditions for water contamination.
Hennepin County Public Health is helping to reduce the risk of waterborne illness (illness caused by contaminated water) by sampling and analyzing the water at 31 public beaches to make sure it’s safe for swimming.
If Hennepin County Public Health determines that a beach is contaminated, they inform the beach owners (e.g., city, camps) that the beach should be closed. Check the map on hennepin.us/beaches for updates.
Learn more and get additional tips for staying safe at the beach.
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We all have a shared responsibility to do more to combat climate change, protect our local environment, and make our communities healthier. We recently added the following articles to help you take action at home and in your community.
Prepare for severe weather
Climate change is causing weather to become more extreme. As severe weather events such as flooding, thunderstorms, hail, intense rainfall, and long-lasting extreme heat grow more frequent and impactful, it’s important to prepare.
- Watch for weather alerts and warnings. It is crucial to have multiple ways to receive alerts, so you can act quickly.
- Avoid the outdoors during severe weather, lightning, and hail. Make sure, when thunder roars, go indoors.
- Be prepared for flash floods. Flash flooding can happen suddenly, so it’s important to stay indoors and be prepared to evacuate and go to high ground.
- Know when to seek shelter from tornadoes. Make sure you and your loved ones know where shelters are at home, work, and school.
- Stay cool during extreme heat. Avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke by slowing down, dressing for summer, limiting your time in direct sunlight, staying hydrated, eating light, and taking cool showers or baths. Also run your air conditioner or find a cooling location in extreme heat.
Learn more about how to prepare for extreme weather.
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Stay healthy during air quality alerts and allergy season
In recent years, the Twin Cities area has experienced air quality alerts during the summer due to an increase in fine particles caused by smoke from wildfires.
Additionally, people with allergies may experience a longer and more intense allergy season. This is due to our growing season getting longer and more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributing to higher pollen production.
This makes the air unhealthy for sensitive groups, which includes those with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, children, and people doing extended physical activity outside.
On poor air quality days, remember to limit time outside, and reduce pollution caused by driving, wood burning, and gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment. When pollen counts are high, avoid the outdoors, use dehumidifiers and air filters in your home, and be prepared to address your symptoms.
Learn more about what to do on poor air quality days to limit exposure and how to minimize allergy symptoms.
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Addressing the mental health impacts of climate change
Climate change’s effect on mental health is well-documented, but it can be hard to find resources to cope.
Feeling stress or anxiety due to worrying about climate change is one of the most common impacts Hennepin County residents say they are already experiencing.
Climate disasters like wildfires, floods, and tornadoes cause grief, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Here are four ways to increase your mental health resiliency:
- Name it and talk about it. We can’t address the mental health impacts of climate change unless we acknowledge it and talk to other about it. Get tips for talking about climate change.
- Break the mental health stigma. Mental health conditions are common and treatable. But stigma harms people who are affected — shaming them into silence, lowering their self-esteem, and dissuading them from seeking help.
- Get involved in climate solutions. Feeling a sense of worry about climate change is natural and productive — it shows that we care and motivates us to take action. Getting involved in climate solutions is the most important thing we can do to move from feelings of fear and anxiety to feelings of worry and even hope.
- Use and share mental health resources. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are many resources that can help.
Read more about the effects of climate change on mental health and get resources to help.
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Plan a local eco-getaway this summer to reduce airplane travel
Mile for mile, flying is the most damaging way to travel for the climate. So this summer, trade one airplane vacation for a local eco-getaway instead and do your part to combat climate change.
Minnesota offers a wealth and variety of vacation destinations and family getaways that are easily accessible and don’t contribute as heavily to greenhouse gas emissions caused by airline travel.
Get ideas for planning a local eco-getaway this summer, including ideas for exploring local climate solutions, celebrating local food and events, exploring nature near you, and renting adventure gear.
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