Global warming may be the most serious long-term challenge in front of our society. Almost every week we learn more about the certainty of the science and the seriousness of the consequences of inaction. It can be easy to lose sight of the good news: this is a problem that is well understood.
There is no mystery about what is causing the warming. And the solutions are also well understood. We have much of the technical know-how we need. What we need now is the political will to implement it.
While there is no substitute for federal action, all levels of government have important roles to play. Local government makes the planning decisions that affect how people drive and how energy is used in this community. Through permitting we have an influence on the efficiency of buildings.
Municipal operations are a critical opportunity to set an example. There is no one big fix, that too is a blessing. Big fixes can go wrong in a big way. Instead what we need is a portfolio of smaller solutions that add up.
Cities will be the first to feel the consequences of inaction. Consequently, it is appropriate for us to take the lead. For example, Bellingham will have to plan to meet drinking water needs in the summer without the snowpack upon which we have traditionally relied. We have to anticipate and plan for the impacts of rising sea levels along our own shorelines.
Yet we should not view global warming as only a threat. It is also an opportunity to:
Most of all, climate change offers us an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and innovation as a community.
Bellingham’s action plan creates a flexible framework that puts us well on our way toward achieving emissions levels that the best science says are necessary. It provides a clear picture of the problem, describes where Bellingham is right now, and forecasts where we are likely to be if we continue with business as usual. However, Bellingham will not continue with business as usual; our action plan proposes aggressive, but achievable reduction targets and clear next steps.
We already have started on this path. Bellingham is the most successful Green Power Community in the EPA’s green power partnership. We have proven that coordinated efforts between business, residents and local government work. For example, Bellingham’s residents are among the national leaders in use of energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs and hybrid cars. These values are a part of our culture and put us in a unique position to show the rest of the country how it can be done.
If we step up to this plan, we will ensure a better future for both our kids and successive generations. It’s clearly up to us!
Updated: Apr 2007
