tabber2Overview For this effort to be successful, it will take the whole community. The City will be conducting ongoing community engagement throughout the planning process. Check back here for a digital version of our second community input session. Alameda’s Climate Action PlanAlameda staff, community, and outside experts are working together to develop a comprehensive plan to reduce Alameda’s greenhouse gas emissions, increase quality of life on the island, and adapt to climate change impacts like increased flooding. In response to the serious and urgent threat of climate change, City Council directed staff to create an ambitious and progressive Climate Action Plan. This Plan will build on the City’s rich existing environmental initiatives to help Alameda develop into a sustainable and thriving city that is resilient to the adverse effects of climate change. The ProblemAlameda is experiencing the impacts of climate change. The Bay has risen 8 inches in the last century, and could rise two feet by 2050, and five feet or more by 2100. Climate change means more heat waves, more wildfire smoke, and more drought. While it is not currently possible to attribute any single event exclusively to climate change, scientists tell us that on average, we're going to see more frequent extreme and dangerous weather events. These events put strain on our residents, businesses, and infrastructure. At the same time as these climate-related issues get more severe, Alameda is contributing to the problem through our own greenhouse gas emissions. We may not be aware that when we drive gasoline-powered cars, we emit greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. The way we heat our homes, whether we compost or not, and even the way we eat all contribute to this global problem that has big local consequences. The SolutionThe challenges we face are multifaceted, and so are the solutions. The Climate Action Plan will look for strategies that both protect us from flooding and help us switch from polluting technologies to clean alternatives. Many of these strategies have benefits that go beyond climate change. Trees help keep us cool during heat waves, and they also increase local air quality and make being outside more pleasant. Better bike lanes encourage people to get out of greenhouse gas-emitting cars, and they also decrease cyclist accidents and traffic congestion. Alameda's Climate Action Plan will help the city become more sustainable, more resilient, and an overall better place to live. Wondering what a Climate Action Plan is anyway? Read our Frequently Asked Questions. For a general overview and for a few sustainability tips, read our Climate Action and Resilience factsheet.ChineseEnglishEspañolTagalogVietnamese Check out our handy Glossary for a set of terms related to climate action, resiliency and sustainability! Details The City of Alameda has been working on reducing greenhouse gas emissions since it released the Local Action Plan for Climate Protection in 2008. In 2017, the City expanded the focus of its climate program to include climate resilience, building on existing work in urban forestry, stormwater management, and local hazard mitigation. Here are two lists that contain all of the climate action ideas that have been submitted to the City thus far: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Increasing Climate Resilience. These ideas are drawn from City staff and past plans, other cities' climate action plans, and suggestions received through a survey the City put out this summer. These ideas have not yet been vetted by City staff for feasibility and effectiveness, and may not appear in the final plan. Below are a list of plans and reports detailing what the City has done and plans to do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:● Local Action Plan for Climate Protection (2008)● Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories for 2010 (updated 2013) and 2015 (updated 2018)● Bicycle Master Plan (1999/2010)● Pedestrial Plan (2009)● AMP Energy Efficiency Report (2016)● Zero Waste Implementation Plan and Update (2010/2018)● Transportation Choices Plan (2018)● AMP Strategic Plan (in progress)● Economic Development Plan (in progress) The following list represents climate resilience work done for Alameda - some of it done by the City, some of it by regional governments● Storm Drain Master Plan and Update (2008/2017)● Alameda County Vulnerability and Risk Report (2012)● ABAG (region-wide report): Stronger Housing, Safer Communities (2012)● Alameda Point Master Infrastructure Plan (2014)● Oakland-Alameda Resilience Study (2014)● Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (2016)● Addressing revised FEMA floodplain maps (2018) The City is working with a consultant team at Eastern Research Group as the plan gets developed for technical expertise, best practices, high-end graphics and specialized engineering. Below are supporting documents written by the consultant team.● Task 1: Report on Existing Conditions and Future Goals● Task 6 Memo 1: Compilation of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures● Task 6 Memo 2: – Review and Adjustments to 2015 Community-wide Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Projections to 2020 & 2030 Maps Learn more about sea level rise and flooding in Alameda and across the Bay Area through this interactive explorer. The Bay Shoreline Flood Explorer explains the different factors that contribute to floods—a combination of storms, high tides, and sea level rise—and the terms that are used to describe floods. Part of the purpose of Alameda’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan is to develop strategies and infrastructure ideas that will protect us from being flooded when these higher water levels become a reality. Schedule 2018 Community Input Session #1: September 24, 6:30-8pm: Lincoln Park Harrison Center (1450 High St)September 25, 6:30-8pm: Community of Harbor Bay Isle Owners' Association (3195 Mecartney Rd)September 26, 6:30-8pm: the O’ Club on Alameda Point (641 W Red Line Ave) The first input session was carried out over 3 days across Alameda. The workshop was a way to learn about community priorities and to gather ideas for increasing resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Residents engaged in the Ketso process, where they were able to brainstorm and share ideas in small groups. Ketso resulted in 78 suggested GHG reduction measures and 226 suggested adaptation strategies.Some common themes included concern about sea level rise, managing Alameda’s shoreline, and concern for future generations.Many residents advocated for expanding solar energy across the island as well as bus routes and free shuttles. Restoring wetlands, increasing green space and open space, and more mixed-use development were also popular strategies residents wanted to see.Approximately 15 GHG reduction strategies suggested by community members are already being addressed by the City in key plans and documents.To see the list of strategies developed from community ideas click here. These strategies will be prioritized and refined at Community Input Session #2. 2019Community Input Session #2: January 26, 9am-12pm at Alameda High School Cafeteria The goal for CIS #2 is to develop a vision for the CARP and gather input from community members on strategies to increase the City’s resiliencey and sustainability. Part of the workshop will be informative, recapping the work done to this point and the outcomes from CIS#1. The workshop will spend a majority of the time in breakout groups to gather residents’ feedback on strategies staff developed in response to input from CIS #1. Check back here for a digital version of this workshop. Current agenda: TimeAgenda Item Topic8:45-9:00AMSign in and informal discussion9:00-9:08AMWelcome and Main Session Overview9:08-11:35AMBreakout Groups: Participants will have the opportunity to be in 3 different groups:GHG Reduction MeasuresAdaptation Strategies—SLR and floodingAdaptation Strategies—Other Climate Risks11:35-11:50AMMain Session Report Back: Report back by breakout groups, public comment11:50-12:00PMCARP Next Steps and Evaluation Survey_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________Community Input Session #3 (March - date and location TBD) Presentation to City Council (July - date TBD) Town Hall 2019Jan. 26: Community Input Session 2 2018Aug 24: Summer survey closed.Sep 21 - Oct 15: Digital version of Community Input Session 1. Sep 24-26: Community Input Session 1 2017May 2: City Council Matarrese Referral to Update Alameda's 2008 Local Action Plan for Climate Protection - ReferralMay 23: Town Hall meeting - presentationJune 20: Mayor's Referral to create a "straws on request" ordinance and compostable or recyclable "To Go" food ware ordinance - ReferralSept 19-Oct 22: Web Survey - Web Survey ResultsOct 5 (Thurs): Town Hall meeting - presentationOct 23 (Mon): Planning Board - Web Link - VideoNov 13 (Mon): Public Utilities Board - Web LinkNov 15 (Wed): Transportation Commission - Web Link - VideoDec 5 (Tues): City Council - Web Link - VideoDec 6 (Wed): City Issued Request for proposals for consulting services - Web Link
