Hello,My name is Kiernan Dunn. I am a senior at Menlo-Atherton High School, and it has come to my attention that in drafting goals
for our city for the new year, the push for climate initiatives hasn’t been sufficiently represented.I contact you as a concerned
youth. I have recently gained the right to vote, however, I speak for the members of my environmentalist club, SEEDS, and members
of my generation who feel as if they do not have a voice to call attention to the issues that affect our city and will
specifically affect our generation for the rest of our lives.We have come very far since the initial climate neutral goal, however
this should not distract from the continued work and effort that still needs to be done to ensure a lasting and sustainable future
for Menlo Park. As I drive to school I am bombarded by increasing amount of construction, many of which are using and implementing
the need for more and more fossil fuels. I ask that we look at where we can make these newer buildings to be zero carbon and
fossil free. Furthermore, investing in better bike paths and more accessible public transportation would encourage more people
within our city to take steps towards reducing individual carbon footprints.Climate change is an issue that affects the entire
world, but if we continue to take serious actions to mitigate and prevent the loss of biodiversity and resources essential for our
future within own city we can influence a greater change around us. I ask you to seriously consider prioritizing climate change
issues in the 2019 agenda so that our future and the future of our children can have a Menlo Park we can come back to and be proud
of.
Kiernan Dunn, President of SEEDS, Menlo-Atherton High School
