Sunrise-Comments on Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan12/3/2020 City of Northampton Mail - Comments on Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=b844d309b5&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f%3A1684272217488229647&simpl=msg-f%3A16842722174…1/2
Wayne Feiden <wfeiden@northamptonma.gov>
Comments on Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan
Sunrise Northampton <sunrisenorthampton@gmail.com>Tue, Nov 24, 2020 at 2:45 PM
To: Wayne Feiden <wfeiden@northamptonma.gov>, Chris Mason
<cmason@northamptonma.gov>
To the Northampton Energy and Sustainability Commission —
Sunrise Northampton, Sunrise Smith College, Divest Smith College, Northampton Youth Commission, Northampton High School Environmental Club,
Northampton High School Students of Color Alliance, and Northampton High School Student Union are all youth-led groups figh ng for a more
sustainable, livable, and prosperous future for Northampton. On the issue of the climate crisis, and our city’s response efforts, we speak with a single
voice.
In the spirit of recogni on that Northampton faces the prospect of climate emergency within the coming decades, we urge that the Climate
Resiliency and Regenera on Plan be revised to include:
Messaging (including a new name, and revised language) that reflects the reality and urgency of addressing the climate crisis, and
emphasizes that our city faces an emergency.
For example, even calling it a “Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan” suggests a future security that we cannot expect.
While a balance between mitigation and adaptation is critical, we think there is an overemphasis on the latter. The truth is
that adaptation is but a short term solution that will not address the climate crisis and will not save our futures or future
generations. Emphasizing mitigation and how we can help prevent the climate crisis before it’s too late, rather than just
lessening its impacts, is important to us. We think language such as “Climate Emergency Action Plan” or at least “Climate
Mitigation and Resilience Plan” would be much better.
The perspectives and guidance of groups more affected by the climate crisis: Indigenous leaders, youth, people experiencing
homelessness, low-income Northamptonites, and people of color. It’s clear that these perspectives have been shut out of the
feedback process.
Acknowledgement that the city of Northampton is on land stolen from the Nipmuc and Pocumtuc peoples, and a pledge for land
reparations.
Defunding the Northampton Police: In this le er, we recommend many costly but genuine and effec ve efforts at comba ng the climate
crisis. The most sensible way to fund these efforts is defunding the police and its ridiculously large budget. Green policing, including replacing
police vehicles with electric equivalents, harms rather than helps climate ac on efforts.
A plan to stop houselessness.
Specific metrics and a timeline which provide a clear map for next steps.
A lowered carbon neutrality date that reflects the scientifically shown need to reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
If, as the 2018 IPCC report mandates, we achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, we will have only a 50% chance of stopping
the worst effects of climate change. For young people who are facing these effects, a 50% chance is not enough. In
addition, carbon neutrality must be on a global level, which means that when equity (developing countries) are taken into
account, highly developed and affluent places like Northampton must cut carbon emissions even more. For these reasons
we would like Northampton’s goal to be carbon neutrality by 2030.
A free and strengthened Pioneer Valley Transit Authority and Valley BikeShare program.
Citywide recycling and compost pickup services. No third-party necessary.
A youth-designed climate curriculum for Northampton schools, in tandem with an anti-racism curriculum.
Warming and cooling centers across the City. Section Health and Safety 4E sounds similar but is vague.
Expanded urban/community farming initiatives within already-developed parts of the city.
A wealth tax, rather than a voluntary contribution offset fund (Energy 3E). Place the onus of fighting climate change where it
belongs: corporations and wealthy individuals.
Prioritization of communities who struggle to afford the transition to solar energy.
Acknowledgement of the need for increased resources in order to implement the proposed plan, such as expansion of the Energy
Office.
12/3/2020 City of Northampton Mail - Comments on Climate Resilience and Regeneration Plan
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ik=b844d309b5&view=pt&search=all&permmsgid=msg-f%3A1684272217488229647&simpl=msg-f%3A16842722174…2/2
We are grateful to live in such a great city as Northampton, and we hope it will con nue to live up to its progressive reputa on by protec ng our
futures. As young people scared for our lives, we are lucky to live in a community that is figh ng alongside us. Northampton is in a posi on to take a
leadership role and show other ci es how to treat climate change as a crisis and take effec ve ac on. However, we s ll have not seen the city
acknowledge the urgency of this crisis.
Signed,
Sunrise Northampton, Sunrise Smith College, Divest Smith College, Northampton Youth Commission, Northampton High School Environmental Club,
Northampton High School Students of Color Alliance, Northampton High School Student Union