San Rafael, CA – Even during a public health pandemic, a contentious national political campaign, and a tide-turning period of civil rights unrest, Marin County remains committed to addressing climate change through its countywide program, Drawdown: Marin.
By participating in the Drawdown: Marin movement, the County of Marin is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. This solar array is installed at the County facility at 120 North Redwood Drive in northern San Rafael.The effort,
launched in October 2017 by the Marin County Board of Supervisors and coordinated by the County’s
Sustainability Team, completed its two-year planning process and worked with over 150 volunteers to identify local climate change solutions. The
Drawdown: Marin Strategic Plan features these solutions and other strategic initiatives and is available for public viewing on
www.drawdownmarin.org until the end of July.
Drawdown: Marin worked with towns, cities, community-based organizations, and individuals to develop projects, policies, and programs that dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increase community resilience, and address racial and social equity. Six groups have designed and presented 29 solutions to the Executive Steering Committee and it endorsed seven of those solutions for immediate implementation.
The Strategic Plan summarizes all 29 solutions, necessary equity work and initiatives, community empowerment and engagement priorities, and governance and funding frameworks and needs for 2021-2030. After comments are received, a revised plan will be presented to the Marin County Board of Supervisors later this year in conjunction with the County’s 2020 Climate Action Plan Update.
“It’s been incredible to see so many people show up for climate change and community resilience,” said Alex Porteshawver, Drawdown: Marin Coordinator. “People devoted many hours to developing local solutions that will dramatically reduce GHG emissions as well as address public health and historic and existing racial inequities that exacerbate climate change impacts in non-white communities. There is much more work to be done on all of these fronts and implementing the Drawdown: Marin solutions is a necessary first step.”
The Executive Steering Committee endorsed the following solutions for immediate implementation:
- Marin Carbon Farming Initiative
- Zero Emission Vehicles - Drive Clean Bay Area
- Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) – Center for Food & Agriculture
- Microgrids – Fairfax Pavilion Pilot Project
- Community Resilience Hubs
- Biomass Study/Recovery Pathways
- Resilient Neighborhoods - Climate Preparedness and Reduction (CPR) for the Planet
Drawdown: Marin has been and will continue to support the lead implementers of the solutions. This support includes identifying implementation funding, identifying opportunities to make solutions more equitable and accessible, and technical implementation guidance.
The County’s commitment to climate action planning dates to 2002 when the Board of Supervisors signed a resolution to join the United Nations-backed Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. Drawdown: Marin kicked off in October 2017 with a Board of Supervisors resolution and a community event that brought together hundreds of environmental champions, student leaders, business leaders, government officials, and other interested parties. It was then when Drawdown: Marin was launched as a countywide climate action campaign with the bold vision of drawing down emissions below zero by 2045.
Everyone can learn more and participate by visiting www.drawdownmarin.org and make a pledge to act on climate change.