Rockville’s Climate Action Plan should focus on reducing greenhouse gas, addressing racial equity and protecting future generations, respondents to a recent city survey said.
The city received 525 responses to the Climate Action Plan survey conducted in late 2020. Highlights included:
- A strong majority — 89% — rated climate change as very important or extremely important to them. Less than 3% rated climate change as not important at all.
- Respondents said the plan should focus on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas, address racial equity, protect future generations and showcase Rockville leading by example, and to support city priorities such as safety, job creation and improving environmental quality.
- The cost of city efforts to respond to climate change was rated low as a decision-making factor for many respondents, but some commented that they would not want additional costs to be borne by residents.
- A majority were enthusiastic about city actions that have climate change co-benefits such as expanding access to bike routes, protecting natural areas and trees, smart growth, reducing waste, and expanding renewable energy. Respondents also indicated they were eager to do their part to help the environment.
The city is grateful for the ideas, input and inspiration offered by survey respondents. Anyone with questions or ideas about Rockville’s actions to address climate change is invited to join staff from the city’s Environmental Management Division for virtual office hours from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 7. To register, and to learn more about the plan, visit www.rockvillemd.gov/climate.
Staff is continuing to analyze the survey input to incorporate it in the draft Rockville Climate Action Plan. The plan, a Mayor and Council priority, is expected to be ready for review in the coming months.