Honorable Mayor Taylor and City Council Members, Thank you for your leadership on climate action, with the Declaration of a Climate Emergency and the “Reach Codes” for clean, electric new homes and buildings that created a regional model for action. I’m writing in support of the recommendation from the Environmental Quality Commission to adopt a new Climate Action Plan and goal for Zero Carbon emissions by 2030. We need strong local climate leadership now more than ever as Menlo Park is already feeling the impacts of climate change with more intense heat waves, increased fire danger and smoke, and rising sea levels that will bring serious flooding. Further, the issue of climate is one of racial justice that requires immediate action to rectify. The community of Belle Haven, which has the highest percent of people of color in Menlo Park is also bearing the brunt of the worst flooding and impacts resulting from climate change. We have a chance to turn this around! The Environmental Quality Commission has worked hard crafting the strongest plan possible for Menlo Park. I support their recommendations for a new climate target: Zero Carbon by 2030, and Climate Action Plan with focused measures to reduce pollution. I hope you’ll approve this historic Climate Target and Plan. I represent Menlo Park on Peninsula Clean Energy’s Citizen Advisory Committee and am very well aware of the critical need for Menlo Park to step up to the plate and provide county-wide leadership on climate action. Please help us create a climate-stable future. Sincerely, Michael Closson 650-450-2025 Received on Sat Jul 11 2020 - 15:59:42 PDT
