We must reduce carbon emissions in our local communities by adopting responsible land use planning, and Futurewise will continue to seek statewide opportunities in support of these efforts.  With the upcoming 2011 major updates in mind, Futurewise is increasing public support for adding provisions to the Growth Management Act (GMA) that will decrease global warming pollution and require local governments to proactively identify and incorporate efforts to minimize the contribution of land use patterns on global warming.  

In the meantime, we are partnering with cities and counties that are proactively taking steps now to reduce vehicle miles traveled and to incorporate climate change as an element of their planning process.    For example, Futurewise assisted The City of Lynnwood in passing ordinance an which includes a climate element in the 2011 update cycle.  Futurewise also assisted Skagit County with a Climate Action Plan. Now, we are working with Spokane and Tacoma on climate ordinances.   Additionally, we advocated for King County’s newly adopted policy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 2007 levels by the year 2050 in collaboration with other local governments in the region.  Working with such cities and counties will provide early examples of success, a vehicle to educate more people and the media, and most importantly, bring about the emissions reductions we know are necessary in Washington.

Links

In 2009 Futurewise published What Role Does the GMA Play in Reducing Green House Gas Emissions? The GMA Requires Communities to Mitigate and Adapt to Global Warming. To read the report, click here.

The City of Lynnwood's Energy and Sustainability Element in the Comprehensive Plan provides a good example on addressing climate change in a Comprehensive Plan. Click here to view the plan.