CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
Updated 12/29/20 Version 3.0
CRISIS:
Climate change is changing the predictable weather, causing
economic and physical hardships and catastrophic effects on the environment and
people.
IMPACT IN MINNESOTA:
·
Increased flooding due to mega-rain events
negatively impacts farmers https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/climate/summaries_and_publications/mega_rain_events.html
·
We lose the loon and other indigenous species
·
Vulnerable people (elderly, children and those
with lowered immune systems) are more susceptible to pollutants and extreme
weather.
MISSION: Achieve sustainability
and resiliency through a local, strategic and measurable initiative.
COMMUNITY STRATEGY: Neighbors
helping neighbors, focused on bold but achievable goals that make a measurable
difference in greenhouse gas emissions, while ensuring resiliency in the face of unpredictable weather. In addition, the quality of life is improved
by building community and promoting the economic benefits of sustainable
living.
NOTE: Because of the
urgency of the climate crisis, the PPA Environment Committee is choosing to
begin acting now before all aspects of the initiative have been defined. This plan should be considered fluid and
evolving. To echo the Minneapolis Climate
Action Plan, “This plan is intended as a roadmap…Upon further investigation,
some strategies in the plan may not come to fruition or reach the desired
emissions impact.” The PPA Environment Committee will revisit the plan as necessary.
OPPORTUNITY: Prospect
Park offers a unique opportunity as an incubator/testing lab for individual and
neighborhood solutions because of it’s economic, generational and ethnic
diversity. It contains a mix of
single-family housing, low income housing, apartment buildings, churches, schools and businesses.
FOCUSED BEGINNING:
The first year will primarily focus on reducing residential energy
use and identifying opportunities to help all residents adapt to the
changing climate. This will give the committee the
opportunity to mature communications and metrics, develop contacts within
sub-neighborhoods and partner with key stakeholders. In addition, much of reducing residential
energy use is not dependent on habits but rather retrofitting houses and
apartments. Improvements made will last far
into the future.
Source: Minneapolis Climate Action Plan
 |
As the initiative evolves, we will expand to
commercial/industrial buildings, transportation, food use/waste and travel.
MOTIVATIONS & INCLUSIVENESS:
The committee recognizes that motivations for action will
differ. Our neighborhood includes
homeowners, renters and students. It
includes old homes, duplexes and triplexes, townhomes, large apartment
complexes and public housing. With that in mind, we will promote in the following ways:
- Sense of Community: Everyone is important. Everyone has a voice. We need to take care of everyone.
- Financial motivations: Rebates, reduced energy costs, etc.
- Concern for the environment: Reach out to environmental groups at the U of M; church groups involved with Creation care
- Inclusiveness: Communicating and working with all sub-neighborhoods of Prospect Park. (See CAP Stakeholders and Communications document for list and map of sub-neighborhoods.)
- Ongoing tracking and publicizing of results.
PPA Environment Committee’s Role
1.
Encourage, coordinate and track:
a.
Home energy audits and DIY insulation
i.
Work with SE Seniors to help folks insulate
their homes
b.
Reduction in Natural Gas usage – CenterPoint Energy
will provide baseline of how much natural gas is used for 1 – 4 family
buildings.
c.
Signing up for wind or solar electric energy
d.
Replacing old appliances, especially hot water
heaters
e.
Larger projects, such as solar panels or
geothermal heating
2.
Ongoing coordination of events and promotions
3.
Open house in annual garden walk of local
residence that already has some key renewable energy features (solar panels,
tankless water heater or geo-thermal heating.)
4.
Source of information on rebates, tax breaks and
other economic factors
a.
Free or low cost goods and services (CenterPoint,
Xcel)
b.
Rebates (CenterPoint)
c.
Funding
d.
Group buying
e.
Stormwater Credit
5.
Source of information on renewable energy vendors
6.
Source of information on pros and cons on
different types of renewable energy
7. Develop and provide easy ways to track energy
use at a personal level
a.
Apps
b.
Spreadsheets
High Level Action Items – Property
(Added
to Action Plan in December, 2020)
