CitiesGoGreen - February 2009 - (Page 24) to 25% below 1990 levels by 2015, which translates to 1.4 million tons of CO2, or 37% of their projected 2015 emissions. The environmental history of some of these cities goes with bold targets; for others, the plan seems a stretch, but all nine will work toward the goal together. With the help of 15 technical consultants, 50 community representatives, and the Climate Protection Campaign staff, development of the complex plan took only two years. Cool Schools In another direction, the Climate Protection Campaign facilitated the participation of several county high schools in a Cool Schools Program, which reduced energy bills by over $19,000 in 2003/2004 (the latest figures available). The program, partially funded by a group of real estate agents, engages students through a solution-based curriculum to take action both in their schools and in their communities to reduce climate change. Eight students who participated in these programs later represented eight different cities in Sonoma County at the Community Target Setting Workshop that set the goals the county is working toward today. At Windsor High School, 45 students spend three hours a week on field trips. They practice environmental studies skills and learn about environmental protection and careers through the Urban Sustainability Program. At Analy High School in Sebastopal, students tossed their keys and got on bikes or buses to reduce their emissions, and it worked. In two years, the high school reduced emissions by more than 30%. Sonoma County’s green history Having already provided solar incentives to residents and businesses countywide, incorporated climate change education and solutions into school systems, helped green businesses, and with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority already setting ambitious emissions reduction targets, Sonoma County is a likely candidate for a forwardlooking goal. It wouldn’t have been possible, though, without motivated individuals as well as local governments ready to make a change. Ann Hancock, Executive Director of the Sonoma County Climate Protection Campaign, talks with CitiesGoGreen (pg 25) about how she and others took Sonoma County to the next step. Here are a few other stage-setting highlights from Sonoma County’s green past. “Thinking Outside the Car” In October 2008 the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, the Sonoma County Alliance, and the Leadership Institute for the Ecology and the Economy organized a conference called Moving Forward— Thinking Outside the Car. Some 200 local government and nonprofit policymakers gathered with transportation officials, interested citizens and business owners to brainstorm ways to drive less. The conference set goals for 2035 in four areas: Maintain the System, Relieve Traffic Congestion, Plan for Safety and Health and Reduce GHG Emissions. The goals set at the conference match the 2015 reduction goals of Sonoma County, and add the further goal of cutting emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2035. Sebastopol leverages solar The City of Sebastopol set the goal of installing enough solar panels to produce one megawatt, and so far panels on local businesses and homes are producing more than 380 kW. Sebastopol also set an emission reduction target of 42% in ten years, and replaced three police cars and two others in their government fleet with hybrid vehicles. “You do what you can, then find a megaphone,” former Sebastopol Mayor Sam Pierce said in a BBC interview. It works. In December 2007 the Solar Sebastopol program received a $73,000 grant to expand. The resulting Solar Sonoma County (SSC) program encourages and facilitates cost-effective solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy, as well as energy efficiency, countywide. The SCC is a partnership of all nine cities, businesses, individuals and other entities. It created the Solar Implementation Plan, offering financial incentives and loans for solar installations to residential and commercial property owners. The SCC also recommends policies and regulations to reduce barriers to solar installations, and pursues outreach and education in several ways. The big goal is installing 25 megawatts of solar electricity or water heating between March 1, 2008 and March 1, 2011. Green business The Sonoma Green Business Program, part of the Bay Area Green Business program, works with and recognizes small- to medium-sized businesses acting in more environmentally friendly ways. Fall 2007 marked the expansion of the Sonoma Green Business Program, which is implemented by Green Business Coordinators in collaboration with the EPA, California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the business community. All these programs, as well as numerous other efforts, some by individual cities, are part of the grand plan set by Sonoma County. Each relies on the motivation and commitment of government members, business owners, and passionate citizens. v 24 February/March 2009 http://www.climateprotectioncampaign.org/sonomaccp/coolschools.php http://www.climateprotectioncampaign.org http://www.climateprotectioncampaign.org http://www.sctainfo.org/ctp.htm http://www.sctainfo.org/ctp.htm http://www.solarsebastopol.com/ http://www.solarsonomacounty.com/ http://www.sonoma-county.org/sonomagreen/about.htm http://www.CitiesGoGreen.com
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