San Rafael, CA – The drastic effects of climate change are in the news every day. Excess carbon in the atmosphere has reached an unsustainable level, and reducing the main culprit, greenhouse gas emissions, is of critical importance. But what can the typical Marin County resident or small business do to help eliminate the root causes of climate change?
Collectively, Marin is making strides to reduce its carbon footprint. The County of Marin is launching a campaign to dramatically reduce Marin’s greenhouse gas emissions, most notably carbon dioxide. By collaborating with communities, businesses, and organizations, Marin can implement the most effective strategies to reduce our carbon footprint, doing our part locally to impact global warming.
On October 3, the County is sponsoring the kick-off event, Drawdown:Marin, bringing together business leaders and student environmental leaders, and hosted by Supervisors Kate Sears and Damon Connolly. The Community Development Agency’s Sustainability Team, will share Marin County’s Climate Action Plan, which details the goals and achievements in greenhouse gas emission reductions.
From an environmental perspective, “drawdown” is the point in time when the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere begins to decline on a year-to-year basis. Drawdown:Marin is a countywide climate action campaign with the bold vision of making Marin a carbon-free community.
“This campaign needs everyone – every family, every neighborhood, and every business. We hope to engage the entire community, whether someone is just learning about climate change or has been making their own best efforts already,” Connolly said. “We’d like to introduce them to the County’s Climate Action Plan and show them what we’ve accomplished. Our collective efforts will make all the difference in reaching the goals we have for the future.”
The event’s featured conversation will be between GreenBiz founder Joel Makower, “Drawdown” editor Paul Hawken, and Net-Zero Initiative Director Leah Seligmann. Makower, a veteran journalist, is chairman of GreenBiz Group, producer of the Verge Conferences, and lead author of the annual State of Green Business report. Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist, and author who has dedicated his life to sustainability and changing the relationship between business and the environment. Seligmann’s experience, working with international clients and company CEOs, spans a broad range of industries and sustainable strategies, including energy, sustainable agriculture, waste reduction, recycling, valuation of ecosystem services, and greenhouse gas reduction.
Also on the stage will be two Marin County high school students who have been deeply involved in moving community leaders to act on climate change initiatives and to keep youth involved in drafting Climate Action Plans.
“We are working hard to mitigate the effects of climate change through our County emissions reductions programs,” Sears said, “but the County is also committed to playing a collaborative role in education on local impacts and the opportunities to make meaningful changes. Marin has a long history of environmental leadership. We owe it to those who went before us, as well as the generations that will follow, to make every effort to do our part. Eliminating carbon emissions is an ambitious but achievable goal, and everyone has a part to play.”
Increased carbon dioxide and the impacts of climate change pose a threat to both global systems and the well-being of Marin residents. Through a commitment to climate action planning that dates to 2002, the County has reduced emissions 30 percent through 2015 and continues to implement programs to reduce greenhouse gases. But, given the rapid increase in global warming, the work has only begun.
The event is free, but seating is limited and all attendees must register online for the October 3 event. Drawdown:Marin is from 6-9 p.m. at the Marin Showcase Theater, located at 10 Avenue of the Flags in San Rafael, behind the larger Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium on the Marin County Fairgrounds.
All public meetings and events sponsored or conducted by the County of Marin are held at accessible sites. If you are a person with a disability and require information or materials in alternative formats – or if you require accommodation to participate in a county program, service or activity – please contact department staff at (415) 473-7331 or (415) 473-4381 (voice/TTY) or e-mail disabilityaccess@marincounty.org.