Climate Action Plan Pt. 2: Community Engagement

By Guest

By Tom Birmingham and Jen Wexler, Canton Sustainability & Climate Action Plan Committee

During Canton’s May 2023 Annual Town Meeting, the voters overwhelmingly approved Article 27, which encompassed the following three elements: to develop a town-wide Climate Action Plan (CAP); to research the possible establishment of a new town sustainability and climate manager or related position; and to identify applicable funding and other responsible economic growth opportunities in support of the CAP.

To help our community better understand and participate in the development of Canton’s CAP and related process, the Canton Citizen will be publishing a series of articles over the coming weeks. In this first article you will find a description of Canton’s CAP planning process. The second article includes a description of our CAP community engagement efforts, and the third article explains what happens in the final phase of this process.

Community Engagement

During September and October of 2024, the CAP Committee is embarking on the Community Engagement phase of its planning efforts. This phase includes the following four elements:

1. Meetings and interviews with committee members and town departments to assess critical needs and interests

2. Presentations to town boards and committees to brief them on our work and seek their help in spreading the word about our efforts

3. Outreach and communications to community partners and the general public, including articles in the Canton Citizen, clips on CCTV, and community informational meetings

4. A Community Survey to elicit concerns, hopes and priorities of Canton residents and business owners

This engagement effort will help the committee accomplish the following objectives:

* Increase awareness about the committee’s work

* Educate the public about pollution and extreme weather-related issues

* Collect valuable input to help shape the Climate Action Plan

* Build support for approval of the plan at the 2025 ATM

Community Survey

All Canton residents and business owners are encouraged to take our Community Survey, which is open now through October 31 (see below for details). This input will be used to shape Canton’s CAP in three important ways. First, responses from the general public will help identify community priorities and concerns. For example, the survey will inform the committee how concerned residents and businesses are about such things as:

* Future flood risk and property damage from more severe storms

* High heat exposure due to an increase in the number of days over 90 degrees

* Negative impacts on our environment, such as an increase in invasive species, pests and related diseases like those killing our hemlock, beech and ash trees

* Ecosystem and soil degradation due to increasing erosion from heavier rains

* Physical health impacts from higher air pollution, hotter days, and an increase in infectious disease and pest-borne illnesses due to wetter and warmer weather

Second, it will help us assess public awareness and engagement around climate issues among residents and businesses. This information will help the committee tailor its future educational efforts and outreach programs. For example, it will help ensure that residents and businesses are informed about the impacts of climate change as well as the importance of participating in sustainability efforts such as available rebates to retrofit your home with heat pumps and other clean renewable energy and efficiency measures.

Finally, we are seeking input on proposed solutions. This survey provides a platform for residents and businesses to share their ideas, aspirations, and feedback on potential climate action strategies. This collaborative approach can help identify innovative solutions, improve community engagement and participation in climate solutions, and ensure that Canton’s CAP reflects a diverse range of perspectives and expertise.

To access an online copy of the survey or for a description of terms, go to town.canton.ma.us/1039/Community-Engagement. Hard copies can also be picked up at Town Hall in the office of the town planner, at the Canton Public Library, or the Canton Senior Center.

The next public information session will take place on Thursday, October 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Canton Public Library. For more information about the CAP process, visit town.canton.ma.us/cap, email ttorres@town.canton.ma.us, or call 781-575-6575.

Next week’s article will cover Phase 3 of the CAP process — drafting and review.

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