As Orange County leaders begin to put together a climate action plan, they said they are looking toward public health and safety officials and community organizations for input on what areas are being most impacted by climate change.
Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley and Second District Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento hosted an investigative hearing on climate resiliency this week, hearing from climate change experts on addressing infrastructure and community challenges and receiving recommendations for the OC Board of Supervisors as it moves forward with developing a county climate action plan. The event featured more than 15 speakers who touched on sustainable transportation, local city planning, innovative recycling programs and other key environmental issues.
A climate action plan would address ways the county could help slow climate change and mitigate the local effect. Orange County is one of the largest counties in California without a plan in place. Both Los Angeles and San Diego have already created their versions, as have some OC cities.
“Orange County is decades behind in planning for a sustainable future, and we must do more to try to redesign our infrastructure, reshape how we build in the county, how we do more to reduce carbon pollution and emissions,” Foley said.
The U.S. Environmental Protective Agency is providing about $223 million toward helping eligible entities create or update climate plans, Tom Koutroulis, director of OC Waste and Recycling said. Orange County leadership plans on solidifying a local climate action plan that prioritizes greenhouse gas reduction measures by March, he said.
Koutroulis said the county will be scouting for a person to fill the new position of deputy director of sustainability, which will lead the effort.
Sarmiento said this week’s hearing was important to give himself and other county leaders more insight into the needs of community members.
“For me, it’s always hearing from the public first…
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