Frequently asked questions about becoming a Cool County

1. Why does it make so much sense for counties to engage in climate change action?

Counties should take action on climate change because many state governments have committed to greenhouse gas emissions reductions. As you may be hearing already, state climate measures will affect comprehensive plans, regional transportation plans, agricultural regulatory practices, energy conservation investments, and other areas of county regulatory authority and operational practices.

Counties can take effective action on climate change because many of our jurisdictions have already demonstrated that greenhouse gas reductions make business sense. In addition, many measures offer additional benefits to our citizens such as energy security, dollar savings, cleaner air, and healthier lifestyles. Many of your governments may already be members of ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and many of your cities may already be participants in the U.S. Cool Cities initiative.

Counties must take action on climate change because we as local governments are already experiencing climate change impacts. Climate change impacts vary from region to region, including but not limited to: air quality degradation, sea level rise, and more frequent droughts, floods, and heat waves -- threatening food and water supplies, damaging infrastructure, and straining our counties’ resources. Learn more from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), or the Climate Hot Map.

2. What would passing the Cool Counties Climate Stabilization Declaration commit us to do?

Participating counties commit to four smart actions:

To look at our own operations to assess what policy or program changes we can enact to lower the greenhouse gas emissions produced by county governments and other areas under county jurisdiction;
To work with our communities to reduce countywide greenhouse gas emissions 80% below current levels by 2050, an achievable annual average of 2%;
To identify local vulnerabilities to climate change and create a plan to address them;
To work with our counterparts nationally to urge the federal government adopt legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below current levels by 2050, the level scientists agree is necessary to prevent catastrophic effects on human civilization.

These actions directly benefit counties and serve as a tremendous opportunity for us to demonstrate leadership. Our regional role and perspective as county government positions us to take action.

3. Where can we find out more?

Peg Reagan
Conservation Leaders Network
mailto:glen.brand@sierraclub.org

Glen Brand
Director, Sierra Club Cool Cities Campaign
glen.brand@sierraclub.org
http://www.coolcities.us/

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Masthead photo credits: Rolf Sklar, Curtis J. Carley FWS, NOAA

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