Health & Fitness
WALCZAK RELEASES ENVIRONMENTAL BLUEPRINT; CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND RISING SEA LEVELS
BOSTON - Today Bill Walczak, candidate for Mayor of Boston, released his Blueprint for Climate Change and the Environment. His innovative agenda addresses greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental issues that impact Boston. Walczak’s policies will simultaneously address climate change, reduce air pollution, create jobs, and save money for Bostonians.
“Climate change is the most serious environmental challenge facing Boston -- and the world -- so addressing this danger must be the primary environmental focus of the next Mayor,” said Walczak.
Walczak released his blueprint at Malibu Beach on Morrissey Blvd. in Dorchester, MA where tidal flooding regularly occurs and was flooded during Tuesday’s storm.
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“Standing here, where the harbor will be, shows us the urgency with which we need to deal with rising sea levels. My blueprint calls for a pro-active strategy to make sure our city is ready for future storms.” said Walczak.
Walczak’s blueprint is a comprehensive set of measures that will conserve energy, expand renewable energy, improve mass transit, preserve our urban environment, protect our infrastructure, and support innovation. Walczak’s climate change agenda also produces other environmental benefits, such as
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improving local air quality, conserving natural resources, and preserving open space. Every aspect of municipal activity, from building standards that reduce fossil fuel emissions to zoning and planning regulations that encourage mass transit use will be assessed.
Key Initiatives of the Environmental Blueprint include:
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Require new buildings meet stringent energy standards by reducing the size threshold so buildings can be LEED certifiable or in compliance with ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides
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Establish a renewable energy requirement for city buildings. 15% now and 30% by 2020
Improve Boston biking access with expansion of bike paths and bike lanes and expand access to rental bikes across the city in every neighborhood.
Incorporate energy usage and carbon emissions standards in city master planning to help improve outdoor air quality for our neighborhoods
Identify and begin the long-term preparations for protecting Boston from sea-level rise and catastrophic storms
Formalize collaboration with local universities and research facilities to strengthen those institutions and apply their capabilities for the benefit of Boston’s citizens
About Bill Walczak:
Walczak demonstrated this focus on environmental issues long before climate change became apparent. As Associate Commissioner of the Boston Department of Parks, a co-founder of the Boston GreenSpace Alliance, founder of the Dorchester Court Work Program that enlisted juvenile offenders to maintain our open spaces, leader in the passage of the Bottle Bill and supporter of expanding it, a founder of the Friends of Savin Hill Park, an advisory board member of the Franklin Park Coalition and a member of 350.org, Walczak has worked for decades to make Boston a better and healthier place to live.