Climate Goals for Medfield: Informational Forum on August 17th

The following provided by Fritz Fleischmann, Medfield Environment Action.

Climate Goals for Medfield: Informational Forum on August 17

Medfield’s new environmental group, MEA (Medfield Environment Action) will be hosting another virtual information forum on August 17 at 7:30 p.m., about how to set climate goals for Medfield.

Why climate goals? Massachusetts is already feeling the impacts of global warming. Some of the most obvious impacts include: rising temperatures, more intense and frequent storms, frequent flooding, and a variety of health risks (like tick-borne diseases); in addition, the state’s infrastructure is becoming increasingly vulnerable. In response, the Commonwealth has adopted a goal for reducing carbon emissions and taken steps to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Medfield is one of 210 cities and towns across the Commonwealth that have committed to reducing municipal energy use as part of the Green Communities Program, and the Town of Medfield has been taking actions to reduce its carbon emissions, promote clean energy, and

increase resilience – yet still without any clearly defined “climate goals,” action plans and target dates. By comparison, more than 30 communities, including Acton, Arlington, Ashland, Belmont, Bedford, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Framingham, Lexington, Melrose, Medford, Natick, Newton, Wayland, and Wellesley, are in the process of adopting greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and comprehensive, cost-effective plans to achieve these goals, seeking to become Net Zero Communities.

A Net Zero community is one for which, on an annual basis, all greenhouse gas emissions resulting from operations are reduced or offset. Net Zero communities adopt multi-pronged strategies including energy efficiency, renewable energy, zero waste, and nature-based solutions to CO2 removal, such as the protection and restoration of forests, wetlands and other ecosystems. The transition to a Net Zero community brings many potential benefits, including improved health, reduced pollution, the creation of clean energy and energy efficiency jobs, and the ability to retain more of our energy dollars in the local economy.

How does Medfield align with the Commonwealth’s climate goals? What should be our own climate goals? If we aim to become a Net Zero Community, how could that be accomplished, and by what time? What would the development of a Net Zero Plan for Medfield entail?

The climate goals for Medfield will be a Warrant Article to be voted on at a Town Meeting in the fall. The MEA Information Forum on August 17 (7:30, via Zoom) will provide an opportunity to learn about these issues and to ask questions.

Registration required: interested residents may register at MEAMedfield@gmail.com. Once registered, they will receive an invitation with a link to the forum.