City Officials Update Climate Action Plan to Align with State Legislative Changes

Milwaukie City Council is gearing up for a significant update to its Climate Action Plan, aiming to enhance transparency and adapt to evolving climate challenges. During the recent council meeting, members expressed a strong commitment to maintaining ambitious climate goals while addressing the need for updated data and strategies.

Council members voiced concerns about the potential for scaling back climate objectives, emphasizing that the update is not about lowering goals but rather refining the approach to meet them. "I too am not interested in looking at this to revise or scale back our climate goals," stated one council member, highlighting the importance of aligning the plan with recent legislative changes and advancements in data collection.

The discussion underscored the necessity of a greenhouse gas inventory update to assess current standings and identify gaps in achieving the city’s climate targets. Public Works Director Peter Pasquale noted the urgency of adapting strategies to cope with extreme weather patterns, stating, "We want to take a hard look at what strategies we can do to adapt to extreme temperatures and different rainfall patterns."

Council members also stressed the importance of making data accessible to the public, ensuring that community members can understand and engage with the climate action efforts. "Whatever we can do to be transparent on where we're getting our information from is critical," one member remarked, pointing out that the existing plan is nearly a decade old and requires a refresh to reflect current realities.

As the city prepares to form a committee for this update, the focus will be on community engagement and collaboration to craft a robust and effective Climate Action Plan that not only mitigates greenhouse gas emissions but also equips the city to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The council's proactive stance signals a commitment to sustainability and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.