Comm No 0017.02 - Testimony - CA-3 - Climate Change and Resiliency

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(2) The division head shall assist the directors or heads of each department and each agency, to determine the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced during its operation for the previous year and assist each department or agency to set substantial goals and proposed action plans to achieve its objectives. (3) The division head shall also meet with the mayor on a regularly basis and report on the goals, plans, and objectives consistent with becoming net carbon neutral by 2030. (4) As part of this division there shall be a climate change and resiliency commission comprised of seven members. Five shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the Council as prescribed in Section 13-4, and shall have expertise in climate change and or natural resource management or in a related field. The director of planning, the director of research and development, or their designated representatives shall serve as the remaining two members. The Commission shall meet no less than quarterly to chart the County's progress towards measureable outcomes consistent with its objectives, including with respect to reduction of green house emissions and increasing infrastructural and systemic resilience to climate related risks. The Commission shall report annually to the council and the mayor on its findings, activities, and recommended actions and expenditures. Comment: I agree we need to focus on the most critical issue facing our island and our planet — the climate change crisis and need to provide a solid entity within the county the sole agenda of which is climate change and its consequences. To advance in a meaningful way we need to set a clear statement of mission and have knowledgeable and experienced staff singularly dedicated to that mission (leadership). As council member I previously discussed doing more in this area and the response was R&D currently focus here and the Department heads need to be responsible for their departments in this area. I don't think the Department heads are in a position to add this major agenda to their day to day obligations. However... I do not think a new department with all of the overhead is necessary — set it up as a new division with the sole focus of climate change. On a related note I suggest a division solely dedicated to grant fund writing — which will be able to focus on grants available in the area of climate change, resiliency, and other areas — both for the county and advising non-governmental entities of available grants. Historically this county has done a poor job when it comes to seeking and obtaining grants. 2