Cedar Rapids hosting open house to unveil Community Climate Action Plan

People walk during a march from the New Bohemia district to City Hall in Cedar Rapids on Dec. 6, 2019. People marched in support of a call by Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker and U.S. Senate candidate Kimberly Graham for a climate crisis declaration. Climate 'strikes' took place around the globe Friday in order to draw attention to the earth's changing climate and its effects on humans and the environment. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — The city of Cedar Rapids will soon unveil its action plan outlining steps to strengthen the community’s resilience to the effects of climate change.

The full draft of the Community Climate Action Plan will be shared with the public at an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday outside the downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, under the main entrance awning.

City staff, Community Climate Advisory Committee members and community organizations who are seen as leaders in sustainability will attend the event, according to the city.

Set in motion when the Cedar Rapids City Council in February 2020 passed a climate action resolution with a push from local climate action advocates, the plan aims to lead the city toward reducing carbon emissions, transitioning to mostly or entirely renewable energy by 2050 and supporting the health of all residents.

With collaboration from the Community Climate Advisory Committee and city staff, Cedar Rapids centered equity in drafting the plan through its survey outreach and in-person meetings to address how climate change disproportionately burdens some residents based on their socioeconomic status, access to transportation, language barriers and other factors.

The plan will identify strategies such as funding, partnerships and programs to achieve those goals through both short- and long-term opportunities.

The council will consider approving the draft plan and making it final at its Sept. 28 meeting.

Ultimately, the plan is a step toward achieving climate action goals such as ensuring all residents have access to healthy food and to parks, guaranteeing clean air and water and building green jobs.

In the meantime, residents can view the city’s interactive climate story, which was published in April, here.

On Iowa Politics

Newsletter Signup

Legislative & Politics News Delivered to your inbox each weekday

Please wait...

Thank you for joining us!

You will begin to receive our Daily On Iowa Politics updates. Add erin.murphy@thegazette.com to your contacts.

This features data on greenhouse gas emissions and helps locate where vulnerabilities exist in the city by showing “heat islands” where surfaces are the hottest in the city, food security and access to green space.

The climate story also includes highlights from residents’ survey responses in addition to providing information about the action plan and council resolution and to act on climate change.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com