If Not on Bainbridge Island then Where
History of Climate Action Bainbridge
Climate Action Bainbridge was established in 2011 as Coal Free Bainbridge to pressure Puget Sound Energy to shut-down its coal-fired power plant in Montana and to replace its power with clean energy. The change of our name to Climate Action Bainbridge in 2014 reflected our expanding interests in climate-related activities such as preventing the expansion of oil transportation through Washington State and supporting Initiative I-732, which would have implemented a carbon tax in Washington State.
Bainbridge Island Climate Action Plan
The City of Bainbridge Island established a Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) in 2017. The purpose of the CCAC is to assist the City to implement the climate related goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. In August 2019, the City Council asked the CCAC to develop the first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP) for Bainbridge Island.
The CCAC provided its recommendations to the City Council in October 2020 on how our Community can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help prepare residents, businesses, and city services for a changing climate. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2045 compared to 2014 levels with interim milestones of 25% reduction by 2025 and 60% by 2035 compared to 2014 levels.
The CAP and supporting materials can be accessed at https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/922/Climate-Change-Advisory-Committee
Bainbridge Island Green Building Task Force
The City Council established the Green Building Task Force in December 2019. The purpose of the GBTF is to provide recommendations on developing a Green Building Program that will encourage an increased use of sustainable materials and environmentally efficient design elements to help the City meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
The recommendations of the Green Building Task Force can be accessed at https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/1190/Green-Building-Task-Force
Bainbridge Island Sustainable Transportation Task Force
In 2019, the City Council expressed its desire to provide a transportation system that improves mobility and safety for all users while respecting the character of neighborhoods and maintaining a climate resilient environment. The Council established a Sustainable Transportation Task Force to provide recommendations to the Council on a long-range vision for how we travel on the Island and that supports the greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
The recommendations for the Sustainable Transportation Task Force can be accessed at https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/1155/Sustainable-Transportation-Planning-Stud.
Indivisible
Indivisible Bainbridge Island is part of a grassroots movement of thousands of local Indivisible groups. Its mission of social justice includes climate action.
www.IndivisibleBainbridgeIsland.org/
Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Bainbridge Chapter
Photo Credits
All photos in this Climate Action Bainbridge section are used with the permission of the photographers. The photo on our front webpage showing the solar panels on Bainbridge Island City Hall was taken by Greg Williams@Sunergy Systems. Since City Hall’s array of 297 solar panels was installed in 2012, it has been producing about 20 percent of the building’s energy needs. This community solar project was led, developed and administered by Community Solar Solutions and was 100% funded by 25 island residents.
The photo with the Climate and Energy Forum banner was taken at the Climate Legislation Forum at the Bainbridge Island Public Library on January 11, 2020. The photo with the Movies that Matter banner was taken at the Bainbridge Island Public Library. The photos in the Local Climate Action section were taken during the 2019 Bainbridge Island July 4th parade. The photo with the State and Federal Climate Action banner was taken at the Washington State House of Representatives in Olympia, Washington. The photo with the Climate Science banner was taken along the eastern shore of Bainbridge Island during a high tide.