San Rafael, CA – The percentage of Marin County residents who believe in climate change is probably a bit higher than the national average. That’s just the way locals are wired here. With that prevailing mindset, addressing long-term environmental sustainability and adapting to climate change are top priorities for the County of Marin and its Board of Supervisors.
For many Marin residents, a local commitment to environmental causes and 'green' living is one of the attractions for living here.A public workshop April 17 about the topic will be an excellent opportunity for residents to share ideas. It will be hosted by the County Supervisors and the Community Development Agency’s Sustainability Team starting at 9 a.m. in the Marin County Civic Center’s Board chamber, Suite 330, at 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael. Coffee will be served starting at 8:30 a.m.
Climate change was emphasized in the 2018 State of the County report, and environment is among the Board’s priorities known as the Four E’s (with equity, economy and education). The County has a deep history of sustainability efforts and protection of natural resources, dating to the first grassroots recycling campaigns in the 1960s and protection of undeveloped ranchland. In April 2002, the Board of Supervisors signed a resolution recognizing the threat that climate change poses to our global community and pledging to take steps locally to address greenhouse gas emissions. Since that initial resolution, the County has invested in efforts to follow through on its pledge.
In October 2017, the Supervisors passed a resolution in support of actions that dramatically reduce carbon emissions and achieve a climate-resilient future. The Board envisions a future in which Marin’s energy comes from 100 percent renewable sources, excess carbon emissions are sequestered, and natural and community resources are managed for resilience to climate impacts. Also in October 2017, the County launched Drawdown: Marin, a comprehensive, science-based, countywide climate action campaign. The Drawdown movement has the bold vision of electrifying everything, powering everything using renewable energy, and sequestering carbon in our landscape, truly “drawing down” the amount of carbon in our communities.
At the April 17 workshop, representatives from several County departments will be joined by stakeholders from nearby cities, businesses, and community groups to share highlights about recent sustainability efforts.
“We’d like to give those partners a chance to share their initiatives publicly and their ideas about goals for the next five, 10 or 20 years,” said Board President Damon Connolly. “The number of local, national, and international environmental researchers and leaders who work or live in Marin never ceases to amaze me. We want to hear our residents’ ideas.”
All the suggestions and information shared will be used by the Board and County planners to set new goals. Marin residents can email their County Supervisor to contribute to the conversation as well. The workshop will be shown live and archived on the County’s webcast and live on television via Comcast Channel 27.
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.