Climate Change: A Global Problem Requiring Local Action

The Bedford Energy and Sustainability Committee and Bedford Mothers Out Front invite you to join a discussion about the local impact of climate change on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, at 7:30 PM in the Reed Multipurpose Room at Bedford Town Hall.

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from three Bedford employees about actions the Town is taking to respond to environmental changes occurring due to the warming climate:

  • Michael Griffin, Director of Programming for Science, Engineering, and Technology at Bedford Public Schools. Griffin will explain how Massachusetts is currently impacted by climate change
  • Taissir Alani, Director of Facilities Management for the Town of Bedford. Alani will share the Town’s energy plan for carbon emissions reductions and the Town’s vision for community resiliency in the wake of a significant natural disaster
  • Heidi Porter, Director of Health and Human Services for the Town of Bedford. Porter will present the Town’s current mosquito and tick surveillance and control plan, as vector-borne disease has become more prevalent over the past decade.

The event will begin with a short video of Greta Thunberg talking about the urgency of the climate crisis.  Greta Thunberg is a teenage climate activist who has received international recognition for her environmental activism and lifestyle choices that minimize her carbon footprint.

All are welcome.   Please RSVP via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/2181597942149977/

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Bedford’s Commitment to Reducing Carbon Emissions

Bedford demonstrated its commitment to reducing carbon emissions by pledging to reduce building carbon emissions by 80% over the next three decades.  The Town has taken key steps to promote and transition to renewable energy, such as entering into a 100% clean energy municipal contract, installing solar panels on town buildings, and electric vehicle charging stations throughout its campus.

Additionally, Bedford negotiated a Community Choice Aggregation contract, which provides residents with basic service an additional 5% green energy at a competitive group rate.  Residents automatically receive more clean energy than their basic utility service provided and also have the option to opt-up to 50% or 100% renewable energy.

The Community Choice Aggregation contract was properly vetted by the Town and provides residents with a trusted, affordable opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint by increasing the percentage of renewable energy generating their homes.

Important Background on Climate Change

According to the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report, the earth is warming due to human activities, which threatens biodiversity, public health, safety, and the global food supply.   Absent a significant reduction in carbon emissions; climate change will have an enormous economic cost as catastrophic storms become more frequent.  A local and global transition to renewable energy would mitigate the impact of climate change.  It is still possible to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels through swift, concerted global action.

Although there is no federal climate change policy, certain states are taking action.  Massachusetts has been a leader in responding to the escalating climate crisis. In 2008, the state passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which mandates an 80% reduction in statewide carbon emissions from the 1990 levels by 2050.

 

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