Hello,
Below I attached my public comment for the 6/27/2023 meeting. Thank you.
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I am a student from Loyola University of Chicago. I express strong support for meaningful climate action in Menlo Park in order to get back on track to achieve 2030 goals in the CAP, which would accelerate the continued efforts to address the climate emergency, such as reaching the zero carbon goal.
My name is Hanan and I am studying Environmental Policy and Political Science. My interests especially are concerned with what cities can do and the policies passed and implemented that address climate change and center fairness and equity.
Because climate change is a global problem, any city that is aiming to make change and taking action affects me and my community as well. My generation has seen how the continued stalling of large scale change to address climate change has done a disservice to humanity. Cities have the ability and the responsibility to make meaningful changes to protect and serve their citizens. Menlo Park must continue its efforts in implementing policies and programs to reach the Climate Action Plan goals.
We must center the groups and individuals so often left out or neglected; low income individuals and underserved communities. Although the City’s creation of these goals, actions, and programs are ambitious and great steps, the continued steps needed to be taken for fair and equitable implementation is needed.
For example, following up on the City’s plan to implement policies/programs to address existing building electrification this year is crucial to not let these plans remain just that.
Reducing carbon emissions by 90% in just 7 years will address public health concerns associated with pollution, create jobs with the new opportunities, and show the commitment the City has to our shared future. We share a collective responsibility to lower emissions and meet the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement to keep global warming under 2°C through the end of the century and avoid disastrous effects.
Centering the actions taken to reach zero emissions by 2030 must be rooted in fairness & justice, should be health-impact centered, and have co-benefits for all. Ensuring the next steps the City of Menlo Park is taking will not leave behind communities and individuals and will actively include them as the city works to electrify buildings, expand access to EV charging, and more is crucial.
So, I urge this council to lead Menlo Park towards a more equitable and action-led path and continue its efforts in the implementation of the climate action plan and stay on the path of the 2030 goals.
Hanan
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Hanan Abdillahi (she/her)
Climate Policy Intern
Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet
acterra.org | Subscribe
