Cuyahoga spending $100,000 to develop climate change plan

5-year plan product of Department of Sustainability.

Cleveland issued a Climate Action Plan in 2013 and has held annual sustainability summits.

Cuyahoga CLEVELAND —

County will spend $100,000 to develop an action plan for dealing with climate change.

Climate change is a key component of the Department of Sustainability’s fiveyear strategic plan, which was adopted by County Council last fall, said Mike Foley, director of sustainability.

“It is just something we should be doing,” Foley said. “The federal government is stepping back on this stuff and the state is not doing much at all. There is a huge need for local government to think about and start planning ways to mitigate and adapt to the problems of climate change.”

The Cuyahoga County Planning Commission and Board of Health will each get $50,000, which will primarily be used for staff to develop the countywide plan. The funding came from the county’s general fund.

Cuyahoga County Council created the department in 2014. The three-member department has an annual budget of about $300,000.

The plan should be completed by fall.

“It is to help local governments deal smartly and react to the problems that climate change will bring to the communities,” Foley said.

Additional days of high temperatures and high ozone can create health problems, he said. Efforts need to be undertaken to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and create more renewable energy.

The Planning Commission is gathering data, including information on transportation, and will create maps and presentations that will be presented to businesses, colleges, community groups and government agencies, Foley said.

The Health Department will look at the health-related aspects related to climate change.

“We will try to piggyback on a lot of the work the city has done,” he said, referring to Cleveland.

Cleveland issued a Climate Action Plan in 2013 and has held annual sustainability summits.

That plan focuses on several areas including: business and vehicle emission reduction, energy efficiency and green building techniques, renewable energy, programs to expand car-pooling, make biking and walking easier and safer, promoting recycling and supporting tree planting and water conservation.