Welcome
Lane County is developing a comprehensive county-wide Climate Action Plan that will outline goals and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare our community for climate change.
In order for this plan to represent the needs and concerns of Lane County residents, the County is conducting a robust public engagement process. Lane County began this engagement process in September 2020 by conducting a survey to understand how residents want to learn about and participate in the development of the Climate Action Plan as well as their initial priorities for the plan. Keep reading to learn more about the key takeaways.
Why now?
We are already observing changes to Oregon’s climate, including hotter temperatures, drought, wildfire smoke, ocean acidification, and decreased mountain snowpack. Climate change is caused by increased pollution in the air that traps heat in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is the primary pollutant responsible for climate change and is released due to human activity, such as burning of oil, fuel, and natural gas; most electricity generation; and production of food and goods. Understanding the areas of greatest risk gives us the opportunity to act and evolve our economies and social structures.
What’s happening now?
We are currently focusing on collecting feedback from stakeholders on a high-level, draft climate action plan framework. The draft framework outlines strategies for emissions reductions that may be included in the final plan. This draft framework is based on technical analysis, best practices from other communities, and residents’ priorities identified in the initial September 2020 survey.
Lane County listened to your ideas about the draft plan framework using using an online survey tool that was open from June 21 through July 31. The open house materials will remain posted and the draft survey results will be published shortly.
Using the feedback from the public engagement period, best practices, and the results of technical analysis, Lane County will present a Climate Action Plan that is responsive to the needs and goals of the Lane County community.