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By Miriam Raftery
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC.
November 27, 2024 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council on Tuesday adopted the 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update, a roadmap for reducing community-wide greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in La Mesa.
The 2024 CAP Update introduces six comprehensive strategies, an expansion from the five outlined in the original 2018 CAP. These strategies include:
- Building Energy Efficiency
- Clean and Renewable Energy
- Clean and Efficient Transportation
- Water Efficiency
- Waste Reduction
- Urban Natural Environment.
Each strategy is supported by 21 measures, 30 main actions, and 123 implementation and supporting actions. This includes programs, projects, policies, education, outreach, and more. Together, they create a robust framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability in La Mesa.
2024 CAP Update Highlights
Equity
CAP Update measures and actions were developed with equitable outcomes in mind, using various tools and sources to identify disproportionate impacts on overburdened communities and guide informed decision-making.
Co-Benefits
The CAP Update highlights "co-benefits" that not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also improve air quality, public health, job growth, economic stability, community resilience, quality of life, and lower the cost of living.
Adaptation Strategies
Climate change is already impacting the community, and adaptation strategies aim to reduce risks and build resilience. These measures will help prepare for extreme heat, flooding, wildfires, and prolonged drought.
During the development of the 2024 CAP, staff gathered input through two public surveys with 251 responses and three public events with approximately 105 participants Information was also shared via the City’s website, newsletters, and social media platforms.
To learn more about the City’s 2024 CAP Update, visit the city’s website.
“We now have the best climate change plan in the region and we should congratulate our staff,” said Councilman Jack Shu, at his last meeting before retiring, adding that there is still “a lot of work to do.” He moved to approve the plan—and directed staff to start working on the next update soon, since this update was two years overdue.
“Climate science is changing. They’re finding new methods to deal with it,” he says, adding that the need to address climate change has increased, though the challenges are increasing. With many older homes, the cost to convert to renewable energy can be substantial. “It’s not fair to ask people with low incomes to make these changes without help.” He hopes to see that issue addressed in the future. Two newly elected Councilmembers Laura Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki, both support climate change. Councilmember Laura Lothian voted against it, arguing that climate change was not listed as a priority of La Mesa residents in a recent city survey.
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