Community invited to climate change workshop, presentation
A commitment to climate action has been taken by the city and the community is invited to a presentation Thursday evening as an update on steps already taken and what lies ahead in the effort to deal with climate change.
“Getting to Zero: A Community Commitment to Climate Action” will be a power point presentation and workshop to be given by members of the City of Oxford’s Climate Action Steering Committee. The presentation is being hosted in partnership with Oxford Seniors Eco Club, Age Friendly Oxford and Oxford League of Women Voters.
It will be conducted from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Oxford Seniors, 922 Tollgate Drive, Oxford.
“Because everyone in Oxford will be affected in some way by these efforts, it is essential that community members know and understand the commitment the City of Oxford has made to combat the climate crisis and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No one person or entity can do this alone. It will take a cooperative effort by everyone. Please join us,” said Joan Potter-Sommer, a resident member of the steering committee.
City Council approved a resolution at their May 18 meeting committing to a community-wide series of greenhouse gas emission targets in major sectors such as buildings, energy, transport, waste and water. This action established community-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets toward a sustainable, carbon-neutral Oxford.
Those targets are:
■ 50% reduction over the 2019 baseline by 2030
■ 90% reduction over that 2019 baseline by 2040
■ Achieving net carbon neutrality no later than 2045
“These community-wide targets apply to emissions within the boundaries of the City of Oxford, not including Miami University. However, climate action will be carefully coordinated with neighboring jurisdictions and community partners,” a section of the Council resolution reads.
The resolution was approved
on a unanimous 7-0 vote.
Prior to the vote on the resolution in May, City Council heard a presentation by Council Member David Prytherch and Mark Boardman, a member of the Climate Action Steering Committee, outlining the need for action.
“We are already in a climate crisis. If we continue doing what has been done in the past, it will be catastrophic. We need to act fast. It is not too late,” Boardman said.
Prytherch said actions to reduce climate change cannot come solely from government but every individual must be part of the action. He said most communities weave climate action as part of their comprehensive plans and Oxford is in a good position to do that because work on a comp plan is underway so it can be included up front.
Vice Mayor Bill Snavely called the resolution a good step and praised Boardman and Prytherch for their work.
“Both David and Mark said these are attainable goals, but they are not easy goals,” he said. “In Oxford, we are not going to solve the world’s problems but we need to handle our part of the problem.”
Potter-Sommer said the agenda for this Thursday’s meeting includes a summary of the steps already taken through establishment of the Climate Action Steering Committee and Council resolution. The largest segment will be a discussion of the partnership needed for everyone to act through making a commitment to neutrality, inventorying their own emissions and creating goals and strategies.
“Because everyone in Oxford will be affected in some way by these efforts, it is essential that community members know and understand the commitment the City of Oxford has made to combat the climate crisis and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No one person or entity can do this alone. It will take a cooperative effort by everyone,” she said.
Relevant requirements for masks and social distancing will be followed for Thursday’s presentation.
It will be in-person, but a virtual viewing option will be available by contacting Oxford Seniors at 513-5238100 no later than 2 p.m. that afternoon.