Next Climate Change Roundtable: The Current Hudson Context

Next Climate Change Roundtable: The Current Hudson Context

scorched earth

Location

Hudson High School - Media Center
See map: Google Maps
US
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Did you miss the last community roundtable discussion--The Hudson Context?

You can watch it HERE.

 

The agenda on Sept. 6th, was:

  • evaluate what we know about current climate change realities facing us as individuals / citizens and facing Hudson as a city / community 
  • get up-to-date information on Hudson's energy portfolio
  • hear about Hudson City Schools' sustainability initiatives from Phil Butto, treasurer and CFO for Hudson City Schools
  • learn about the latest status of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Hudson
  • find out about the Green Building Certification program
  • anfinally, explore options and actions that we can take as individuals and that we can request of our community's decision makers to address climate change impacts and ensure a sustainable future!

An update since our last meeting:  On June 20th, City Council conducted a workshop to consider a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Hudson. Several members of City Council questioned the validity, relevance, and/or purpose of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for Hudson, which suggests that our community needs to continue educating City Council about climate and environmental issues.

Video of the City Council meeting can be found here: City Council June 20th Meeting and Workshop . The pertinent section begins at 2:17:18 and ends at 2:39:38.

A subcommittee consisting of Council members Kowalski, Banweg and Heater was formed to review the matter. A Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory is possibly the most important environmental legislation considered by City Council since recycling.

Hudson's LWV Climate Crisis and Environmental Sustainability work group sent a letter to City Council after the June 20th workshop expressing support for the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. A copy of the letter can be seen here:

Letter to City Council re Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

The Environmental Awareness Committee (EAC) also sent a letter to the City Council subcommittee expressing support for the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. EAC is a volunteer advisory committee whose members are appointed by City Council; EAC serves to advise City Council and educate residents on wise stewardship of Hudson's natural resources. A copy of the letter can be seen here:

Letter from EAC to Council subcommittee re Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

We urge you to contact all of the City Council at-large members and the mayor as well as your ward’s member to express support for the inventory.

cfoster [at] hudson.oh.us (ward 2)

cbanweg [at] hudson.oh.us (at large)

kheater [at] hudson.oh.us (at large)

nkowalski [at] hudson.oh.us (at large)

sruffer [at] hudson.oh.us (ward 4)

kschlademan [at] hudson.oh.us (ward 1)

ssutton [at] hudson.oh.us (ward 3)

janzevino [at] hudson.oh.us (mayor)

The 4 ward Council seats are up for election this November. Your vote counts. Our environment counts.

A Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory involves collecting data on government solid waste generation, energy used in government buildings, water and wastewater treatment, streetlights, traffic signals, fuel used by the city, town, or county fleet, and employee commutes, among other sources.

An environmental consultant conducts the inventory. These consultants have expertise in Greenhouse Gas emissions assessment, analysis, and management. They discover the drivers of change in local emissions to target the most effective strategies to reduce emissions.

ICLEI, a company with numerous positive references, has a methodology whose data have passed the “sniff test” with over 2,500 cities, towns, and regions on a global scale for 33 years. Cost of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory completed by ICLEI would be $6,200.