ANCHORAGE — Yesterday, the Anchorage Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to support creating a city-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP will outline strategies to reduce the factors that cause climate change and advance ways to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.
“A changing climate has a real effect in Anchorage,” said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. “It means a longer and more dangerous fire season, more freeze-thaw cycles, and the appearance of invasive species. It causes costs to the Municipality and disruption to the Anchorage way of life. A plan is a responsible way forward.”
Many other cities have adopted climate action plans and have seen substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits. The CAP will identify the benefits that come from proactive planning, including cost savings, job creation, better health outcomes and improved air quality. The Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) is already benefitting from energy improvements such as upgrading LED street lights, which saves more than $1M annually.
The CAP represents a partnership between the MOA and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). UAA faculty recently received a grant from the University of Alaska Faculty Initiative Fund to facilitate this planning process. The process will include university faculty, MOA staff, and representatives from non-profit, governmental, and community-based organizations. Likewise, the planning process will engage residents to ensure that the final plan reflects community perspectives, needs, and goals.
The CAP’s community engagement begins with a kickoff event on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. at Z.J. Loussac Library. Visit www.muni.org/ClimateActionPlan to learn about other opportunities to get involved, including mobile community workshops.
For more information, contact Shaina Kilcoyne (907-744-1815 or KilcoyneSR@muni.org) or Catherine Kemp (907-343-7170 or KempCJ@muni.org).
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