The Thurston Climate Mitigation Plan (https://www.trpc.org/909/Thurston-Climate-Mitigation-Plan) outlines specific steps to reduce greenhouse emissions by 85% by 2050, when our children and grandchildren will be facing the effects of our efforts in the next few years to reduce pollution.
We have seen what COVID-19 has done to our economy in addition to its human tolls. Climate change, if not addressed, will impact the economy far more. Developing solar and wind energy and electric vehicles will provide great opportunities for innovation in business and create new job opportunities. We owe it to our citizens to move forward in these areas to do our part to address the coming crisis.
The Mitigation Plan will include an implementation strategy for the four partner jurisdictions: Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater. This Plan identifies actions and next steps needed to achieve targets of greenhouse gas emission reduction (below 2015 levels) of 45% by 2030 and 85% by 2050. This implementation strategy draws from the list of communitywide actions assessed as part of the scenario analysis completed in May 2020.
Thurston County and the cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater crafted a strategic framework for reducing climate polluting greenhouse gases while maintaining—and even improving—our quality of life. After many months of study and adoption of a list of 72 specific actions, developed and analyzed by a consultant, the Steering Committee that represented the four jurisdictions has approved the Plan. These actions include residential energy audits, efficiency standards for commercial buildings, land use incentives, EV-ready building codes, LED lighting, natural gas to electric conversion, incentives for reflective roofs, increased transit, regenerative agriculture, and many more. For the full list of communitywide actions, see https://www.trpc.org/1026/Final-Plan. To go into effect in any of those jurisdictions, the Plan must be approved by the city council or board of commissioners of that jurisdiction. The first vote on this may be as early as January 19.
Although each jurisdiction could proceed on its own, the consultant has stated that all jurisdictions would have to act with aggressive urgency on the items in the Plan if we are to meet the scientifically mandated target reductions.
Climate change is already affecting our communities. Impacts like hotter summers, devastating wildfires, and flooding endanger our homes and affect public health and local business. Let’s work together to save energy, act on climate change, and build a stronger community.
