In 2022, it’s clear that local weather change is an existential risk to our planet. The way forward for our society is more and more linked to wash, renewable vitality and different types of environmental sustainability. Greater than a decade in the past, town of Akron ready a daring environmental motion plan, however since then we’ve got no strategic course. Right this moment, Akron can recommit to this work by becoming a member of Energy a Clear Future Ohio, a statewide coalition of impartial organizations that gives free providers to advance clear vitality and the setting, at present working with all different Ohio cities.
Throughout the nation, we’re seeing the primary results of local weather change – extra frequent storms, droughts and wildfires. At 330 we averted the worst of it, however final winter, two of my closest associates from Firestone misplaced their dwelling and all their belongings in a catastrophic hearth in Colorado. On prime of that, Putin’s bloody struggle in Ukraine has prompted fuel costs to soar and pushed us in the direction of Saudi oil. Clear, renewable vitality is crucial to restrict local weather change and free us from dependence on dictators. Clear vitality will energy the economic system of the long run, however at Akron we’re lagging behind.
In 2009, our metropolis authorities put collectively the “Akron Inexperienced Version”, a complete environmental plan. Metropolis employees got down to cut back waste and improve recycling, promote neighborhood consciousness, and begin monitoring carbon emissions from metropolis buildings and autos. Sadly, after just a few years most of this work was discontinued.
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Since then, we have made some progress on the setting. Most significantly, we have spent greater than $1 billion on the federally mandated mixed sewer overflow (CSO) undertaking, considerably enhancing our Cuyahoga River, however at an infinite, unaffordable value that all of us really feel. Past the NGO undertaking, my late colleague Wealthy Swirsky has at all times struggled to ensure environmental considerations are on the desk.
However lately we’ve got lacked a complete metropolis motion plan for environmental sustainability and clear vitality. That is the place Energy a Clear Future Ohio (PCFO) is available in. PCFO is a statewide coalition of impartial organizations that come collectively to supply free providers to cities to cut back our dependence on fossil fuels. Sure, you learn that proper, free providers!
Because of this PCFO assists cities of their car fleet assessments so we will create a monetary case for the transition to electrical autos. They’re serving to cities look to grants and funds to place them in EV charging stations, a community that can energy the economic system of the long run. PCFO gives recommendation on learn how to set up photo voltaic panels on the roofs and parking decks of metropolis buildings. They assist cities begin measuring emissions so we will set targets for carbon discount.
Greater than two dozen communities have joined the PCFO community to benefit from this deal. This consists of Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Dayton, Youngstown, Canton, Lima, Lorain, Portsmouth, Sandusky and Yellow Springs. As you possibly can see from this record, Akron is the biggest metropolis in Ohio that has not but joined the PCFO.
PCFO will help us renew Akron’s technique for clear vitality and the setting. Too usually, we see these issues as a luxurious we can’t afford. I consider we’ve got an ethical obligation to forestall local weather change, however I additionally consider we’ve got an financial obligation to our metropolis. Because the NGO undertaking confirmed us, we will spend money on the economic system of the long run now or make dearer investments later. The remainder of Ohio is investing now – we won’t lag behind.
How are you going to become involved? Effectively, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, PCFO Government Director (and my Ohio State classmate) Joe Flarida is giving a presentation at my Ward 8 neighborhood assembly on the Northwest Recreation Middle at 1730 Shatto Ave.
You might be invited to be taught extra about PCFO and be part of a dialogue on how Akron can transfer ahead in clear vitality and environmental points.
Shammas Malik is a member of Akron’s Ward 8 councillor. He will be reached at 330-285-5310 or ward8@akronohio.gov.