Sustainability Office Joins New Community Development Department 

The Sustainability Office has moved! Sustainability is now a division located under the umbrella of the new County department of Community Development. The Community Development Department was formally approved by the Board of County Commissioners to be created in August 2021. The newly formed Department consists of three divisions, which will address community development needs of the County as they relate to sustainability, housing, livability, economic development, tourism, and much more! The move of the Sustainability Office to the department will serve to benefit the community by providing for the expansion of a myriad outward facing community efforts. One such project includes Sustainability's completion of a comprehensive countywide Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP, expected to roll out by the beginning of 2022, will include resiliency planning comprised of an accounting of all County emissions, as well as an inventory and sustainability plan from 2022 through 2050 for natural resource management, buildings, water and food security, transportation, waste management, and economic development throughout the County. 

Stay tuned as Sustainability transitions to their new home and for more information and projects to come as a result of the move, including a new online page for the Community Development Department housing the Sustainability, Economic Development, and Housing Divisions, on the County's website under one "roof"!  

Drive Electric Week!

It's that time of year again when all electric transport is celebrated! September 25 through October 3 is dubbed "Drive Electric Week" to raise awareness about the many benefits of switching from the environmentally destructive and limited fuel sources for combustion engines to the innovative, clean energy and limitless potential of electric! Many articles and resources can be found on the event site such as EV 101 which includes great info and facts to help car shoppers choose the EV that fits their needs best such as "Why consider an EV?",  "How do I charge an EV?", and "Other Resources!".

As infrastructure increases to accommodate the transition to electric across the nation, car manufacturers are certainly making the jump with many committing to only producing electric vehicles by 2030, which is just around the corner.

Test drive a few of the more than 40 EVs on the market today and discover the benefits of driving cleaner and quieter vehicles, not to mention much lower maintenance and transportation costs for yourself!  

IPCC Sixth Assessment Climate Report: What Can I Do?

The latest Climate Report by the IPCC is out and it is not a good prognosis for the human species. Indeed the first few lines cut to the uncomfortable chase with an assessment that is beyond alarming, confirming that climate change is happening here and now:

A.1 It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land. Widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and biosphere have occurred.

The report follows with a view of the future that will leave no one unscathed in its devastating wake. With such dire news, it is easy to feel hopeless and paralyzed to act, yet putting one's head in the sand couldn't be any further from the real action that is needed by each and every person to make a difference in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and thus, protect and sustain the health of this generation, the generations to come, and our planet. According to the report, it can be done, if we all act together and support radical policy change starting now—radical changes that require strict limits on emissions between now and the deadline of 2050. While changing behaviors can take decades and even centuries, policy that is top down can effect change in the most drastic and immediate way. Be a change maker today and find the best fit for your unique talents and passions by getting involved in creating policy and laws that promote a healthy planet, a healthy community, and a future we can all survive and thrive in! 

"Action is the antidote to despair." -Joan Baez