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Air Pollution & Greenhouse GasesAir Pollution & Greenhouse Gases
What Local Governments & Institutions Can DoWhat Local Governments & Institutions Can Do
Cindy Kemper, DirectorCindy Kemper, DirectorJohnson County Environmental DepartmentJohnson County Environmental Department
Kansas Air Quality Conference Kansas Air Quality Conference March 2008March 2008
What We Will CoverWhat We Will Cover
Why should we care?Why should we care? Why are local governments & institutions key Why are local governments & institutions key
players?players? What organizational approaches & strategies What organizational approaches & strategies
work?work? What actions can make a difference?What actions can make a difference?
Short-termShort-term Long-termLong-term
What challenges must we overcome?What challenges must we overcome? Are we making a difference?Are we making a difference?
Why should we care?Why should we care?
Why should we care?Why should we care?
Air pollution & GHG emissions affect human Air pollution & GHG emissions affect human health and quality of lifehealth and quality of life In neighborhoodsIn neighborhoods In cities & regionsIn cities & regions Across multiple statesAcross multiple states GloballyGlobally
Air pollution & GHG emissions affect economic Air pollution & GHG emissions affect economic developmentdevelopment
We are collectively responsible to future We are collectively responsible to future generations – Sustainability generations – Sustainability
SustainabilitySustainability
““In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” decisions on the next seven generations.”
- From Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy- From Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy
Why should we care?Why should we care?
Criteria air pollutantsCriteria air pollutants Ozone, PM2.5 are most common Ozone, PM2.5 are most common
concern in KSconcern in KS
Ozone standard likely to be Ozone standard likely to be lowered affecting more KS lowered affecting more KS cities & triggering new cities & triggering new emission control requirementsemission control requirements
PM2.5 can pose localized PM2.5 can pose localized health risks & contributes to health risks & contributes to regional haze regional haze
Large contributions by small Large contributions by small unregulated sources unregulated sources
Why should we care?Why should we care?
GHG emissions from man-made GHG emissions from man-made sources are affecting climate & are sources are affecting climate & are largely unregulatedlargely unregulated
Climate affects all living systems Climate affects all living systems
Rapid & significant mitigation Rapid & significant mitigation actions are neededactions are needed
Reducing GHG emissions is Reducing GHG emissions is not not about saving the earth. It’s about about saving the earth. It’s about saving the human race.saving the human race.
Why should we care?Why should we care?
Public demands itPublic demands it
We are part of a “perfect storm”We are part of a “perfect storm”
If we fail to act, we have not done our jobs If we fail to act, we have not done our jobs
We are in good company…
More than 700 mayors from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, representing a total population of over 75,000,000 citizens have signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Agreement.
Kansas City, Missouri
Prairie Village
This makes good This makes good business sensebusiness sense
We are in good company…We are in good company…
Why are local governments & Why are local governments & institutions key players?institutions key players?
Why are local governments & Why are local governments & institutions key players? institutions key players?
We are large employers with significant environmental We are large employers with significant environmental footprintsfootprints
We can lead communities by exampleWe can lead communities by example We are accountable to the public (citizens, businesses), We are accountable to the public (citizens, businesses),
so the public expects us to act responsiblyso the public expects us to act responsibly We touch everyone in the community (sphere of We touch everyone in the community (sphere of
influence)influence) We exercise considerable influence & authority over the We exercise considerable influence & authority over the
public (regulations, taxes, services)public (regulations, taxes, services) Our employees are regular citizens after hours – actions Our employees are regular citizens after hours – actions
at work translate to changes at home at work translate to changes at home
What organizational approaches & strategies What organizational approaches & strategies work?work?
What organizational approaches & strategies What organizational approaches & strategies work?work?
Get your own house in order firstGet your own house in order first
Secure “buy-in” from the topSecure “buy-in” from the top
Identify your champions & build a team. If possible, hire a Sustainability Identify your champions & build a team. If possible, hire a Sustainability CoordinatorCoordinator
Identify your major air pollution & GHG emission sources (buildings, vehicles, Identify your major air pollution & GHG emission sources (buildings, vehicles, equipment, etc.)equipment, etc.)
Identify your major processes that affect emissions elsewhere (procurement, Identify your major processes that affect emissions elsewhere (procurement, communications, energy use, etc.)communications, energy use, etc.)
Develop emissions inventory baselines (Climate Registry; ICLEI)Develop emissions inventory baselines (Climate Registry; ICLEI)
Establish emission reduction plans with goals and timeframes, then track & Establish emission reduction plans with goals and timeframes, then track & report backreport back
Goals can be “big, hairy & audacious,” but actions to get there must be targeted & Goals can be “big, hairy & audacious,” but actions to get there must be targeted & manageable (US Conference of Mayors; Cool Cities; Cool Counties)manageable (US Conference of Mayors; Cool Cities; Cool Counties)
What organizational approaches & strategies What organizational approaches & strategies work? (cont)work? (cont)
Inventory & publicize your current successes (everyone is doing something, Inventory & publicize your current successes (everyone is doing something, maybe for other reasons)maybe for other reasons)
Emphasize actions that provide multi-pollutant and multi-media benefitsEmphasize actions that provide multi-pollutant and multi-media benefits
Consider Consider life-cyclelife-cycle costs & benefits of actions & costs & benefits of actions & make the business casemake the business case
Promote actions that fit with your organization’s commitment to Promote actions that fit with your organization’s commitment to environmental sustainabilityenvironmental sustainability
Emphasize the benefits that resonate with your customers & audience Emphasize the benefits that resonate with your customers & audience (environmental, social or economic) (environmental, social or economic)
Consider your institutional & political environment in deciding how best to Consider your institutional & political environment in deciding how best to promote actions (incentives vs. disincentives; voluntary vs. mandatory)promote actions (incentives vs. disincentives; voluntary vs. mandatory)
Reward & recognize staff participation & positive changesReward & recognize staff participation & positive changes
Don’t forget staff education, training & outreach. People are much more likely Don’t forget staff education, training & outreach. People are much more likely to act if they understand why.to act if they understand why.
What actions can make a difference?What actions can make a difference?
What actions can make a difference?What actions can make a difference?
Short-term ActionsShort-term Actions ““Low-hanging fruit”Low-hanging fruit” Quick winsQuick wins Build & maintain momentumBuild & maintain momentum
Long-term ActionsLong-term Actions Harder & take longer to accomplishHarder & take longer to accomplish Typically more stakeholders involvedTypically more stakeholders involved Tend to represent the root of air pollution Tend to represent the root of air pollution & GHG emission problems& GHG emission problems
Don’t neglect long-term actions to focus solely on Don’t neglect long-term actions to focus solely on short-term gains – you’ll never solve the root short-term gains – you’ll never solve the root problemsproblems
What actions can make a difference?What actions can make a difference?
Many actions that reduce ozone & PM2.5 also reduce Many actions that reduce ozone & PM2.5 also reduce GHG emissions & visa-versaGHG emissions & visa-versa
Many actions that reduce emissions also conserve energy Many actions that reduce emissions also conserve energy & save money& save money
Many actions that protect water quality or reduce solid Many actions that protect water quality or reduce solid waste also reduce emissionswaste also reduce emissions
Choose actions that have multiple benefits; avoid actions Choose actions that have multiple benefits; avoid actions that shift the problem elsewherethat shift the problem elsewhere
Implement actions in a way that minimizes impacts to Implement actions in a way that minimizes impacts to human and financial capital as well as natural capital – human and financial capital as well as natural capital – triple bottom line decision-makingtriple bottom line decision-making
What actions can make a difference?What actions can make a difference?
Short-term actions for local governments & other Short-term actions for local governments & other institutions (internal)institutions (internal) Buy fuel efficient vehicles (hybrids) & “right-size” your fleetBuy fuel efficient vehicles (hybrids) & “right-size” your fleet Maintain and operate vehicles properly Maintain and operate vehicles properly
TiresTires Gas capsGas caps Tune-upsTune-ups
Retrofit diesel engines (equipment, trucks, buses)Retrofit diesel engines (equipment, trucks, buses) Institute anti-idling & re-fueling policiesInstitute anti-idling & re-fueling policies Expand alternative fuels use (E-85, propane, biodiesel)Expand alternative fuels use (E-85, propane, biodiesel) Incentivize alternative commuting methodsIncentivize alternative commuting methods Install vapor recovery equipment at re-fueling stationsInstall vapor recovery equipment at re-fueling stations Encourage employees to take actions on high ozone days (brown Encourage employees to take actions on high ozone days (brown
bag lunches, ride the bus, telecommute, teleconferences) bag lunches, ride the bus, telecommute, teleconferences)
What actions can make a difference? What actions can make a difference? (cont.)(cont.)
Short-term actions for local governments & other Short-term actions for local governments & other institutions (internal)institutions (internal) Implement “low impact” landscaping practices Implement “low impact” landscaping practices Purchase & use “no-leak” gas cansPurchase & use “no-leak” gas cans Market charcoal chimneys to employeesMarket charcoal chimneys to employees Convert to “green” cleaning productsConvert to “green” cleaning products Replace inefficient lighting fixtures Replace inefficient lighting fixtures Turn off lights, computers, monitors & other office equipment Turn off lights, computers, monitors & other office equipment
when not in usewhen not in use Purchase copiers & printers that duplex and institute duplexing Purchase copiers & printers that duplex and institute duplexing
policiespolicies Reuse “good on one side” paper before recyclingReuse “good on one side” paper before recycling Provide paper recycling bins at every desk & down-size trash Provide paper recycling bins at every desk & down-size trash
containerscontainers Find & use recycling outlets for electronic wasteFind & use recycling outlets for electronic waste
What actions can make a difference? What actions can make a difference? (cont.)(cont.)
Longer-term actions for local governments & other Longer-term actions for local governments & other institutions (internal)institutions (internal) Develop & implement sustainability criteria for new & renovated Develop & implement sustainability criteria for new & renovated
buildings (e.g., carbon neutral buildings)buildings (e.g., carbon neutral buildings) Develop & implement plans to achieve “zero” waste in government Develop & implement plans to achieve “zero” waste in government
or institutional operationsor institutional operations Develop & implement Green Procurement policies & practicesDevelop & implement Green Procurement policies & practices Integrate sustainability into all internal systems including Integrate sustainability into all internal systems including
budgeting, strategic planning, employee performance, etc.budgeting, strategic planning, employee performance, etc. Consider investing any cost savings from successful actions in new Consider investing any cost savings from successful actions in new
actions – revolving fundactions – revolving fund Urge state & federal governments to adopt policies & provide Urge state & federal governments to adopt policies & provide
resources that support local air pollution & GHG emission resources that support local air pollution & GHG emission reduction effortsreduction efforts
Johnson County Government’s Johnson County Government’s LEED “Gold” BuildingLEED “Gold” Building
Actions that expand your sphere of influenceActions that expand your sphere of influence
What actions can make a difference? (cont.)What actions can make a difference? (cont.)
Actions for local governments & other Actions for local governments & other institutions (external)institutions (external) Provide opportunities & support for community Provide opportunities & support for community
discussions about air pollution & climate change discussions about air pollution & climate change (libraries, schools, neighborhood groups, regional (libraries, schools, neighborhood groups, regional associations, etc)associations, etc)
Share internal successes & failures with community Share internal successes & failures with community partners (public, private, non-profit, neighborhood) partners (public, private, non-profit, neighborhood) & urge them to take similar actions within their own & urge them to take similar actions within their own organizationsorganizations
Collaborate with your local businesses & business Collaborate with your local businesses & business associations; they can be your biggest allyassociations; they can be your biggest ally
What actions can make a difference? (cont.)What actions can make a difference? (cont.)
Actions for local governments & other Actions for local governments & other institutions (external)institutions (external) Initiate “hard conversations” about whether land use, Initiate “hard conversations” about whether land use,
economic development & transportation policies economic development & transportation policies should be re-visited to promote a more sustainable should be re-visited to promote a more sustainable community (e.g., urban core redevelopment, community (e.g., urban core redevelopment, preservation of green space)preservation of green space)
Consider whether building and site development Consider whether building and site development codes should be revised to encourage things like codes should be revised to encourage things like energy efficient building design, heat island energy efficient building design, heat island mitigation, mixed use development patterns, walkable mitigation, mixed use development patterns, walkable communities, etc.communities, etc.
Incorporate sustainability expectations & criteria into Incorporate sustainability expectations & criteria into contracts for materials or service contracts for materials or service
What challenges must we overcome?What challenges must we overcome?
What challenges must we overcome?What challenges must we overcome?
Making the problem Making the problem real & personalreal & personal
Competing priorities Competing priorities & limited resources& limited resources
Developing tools to Developing tools to make the job easiermake the job easier
Avoiding duplication Avoiding duplication of effortsof efforts
Making the problem real & personalMaking the problem real & personal
Making the problem real & personalMaking the problem real & personal
DID YOU KNOW THAT . . . DID YOU KNOW THAT . . .
A conventional lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as do 40 cars.A conventional lawn mower pollutes as much in an hour as do 40 cars. Lawn and garden equipment users spill an estimated 17 million Lawn and garden equipment users spill an estimated 17 million
gallons of fuel each year when refilling outdoor power equipment gallons of fuel each year when refilling outdoor power equipment (more than the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska). (more than the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska).
If your vehicle’s gas cap is faulty, you may be losing as much as 30 If your vehicle’s gas cap is faulty, you may be losing as much as 30 gallons of gas a year in evaporation. gallons of gas a year in evaporation.
A motorcycle emits the same amount of pollution in one hour as your A motorcycle emits the same amount of pollution in one hour as your car does in 20 hours.car does in 20 hours.
Keeping your car well tuned, with tires properly inflated, with clean Keeping your car well tuned, with tires properly inflated, with clean air filters, and without extra weight, can increase fuel efficiency by air filters, and without extra weight, can increase fuel efficiency by over 15% (=saving $$$$).over 15% (=saving $$$$).
What challenges must we overcome?What challenges must we overcome?
Overcoming inertia & Overcoming inertia & resistance to changeresistance to change
Managing & harnessing Managing & harnessing growing desire to “do growing desire to “do something”something”
Making a real difference Making a real difference
Are we making a difference?Are we making a difference?
Johnson County Government Johnson County Government AccomplishmentsAccomplishments
Since 2004, almost Since 2004, almost 400 tons400 tons of air pollution has been eliminated of air pollution has been eliminated due to county employees’ actionsdue to county employees’ actions
Vehicle miles traveled by county employees were reduced by Vehicle miles traveled by county employees were reduced by about about 800,000800,000 since 2004 since 2004
The County owns 38 hybrid vehicles, saving at least The County owns 38 hybrid vehicles, saving at least $37,350$37,350 in in reduced gas consumptionreduced gas consumption
Vapor recovery equipment installed at County-owned refueling Vapor recovery equipment installed at County-owned refueling stations, reducing VOC emissions by stations, reducing VOC emissions by 2/32/3 tons per year tons per year
Idle-free zones established at area schoolsIdle-free zones established at area schools Sponsored change-a-light campaign for employees, saving Sponsored change-a-light campaign for employees, saving $41,700$41,700 in electricity costs & reducing in electricity costs & reducing 278 tons278 tons of GHGs of GHGs Built LEED-Gold office building, reducing energy Built LEED-Gold office building, reducing energy use by more than use by more than 43%43% in the first year in the first year
Johnson County Government Johnson County Government Accomplishments (cont)Accomplishments (cont)
Resolution to reduce community-wide GHG emissions by Resolution to reduce community-wide GHG emissions by 80% by 2050; and carbon-neutral county buildings by 203080% by 2050; and carbon-neutral county buildings by 2030
Commitment to “zero” waste in county government Commitment to “zero” waste in county government operations by 2020operations by 2020
New county-wide Solid Waste Plan that promotes aggressive New county-wide Solid Waste Plan that promotes aggressive waste reduction waste reduction
Founding member of EPA’s Sustainable Skylines, Founding member of EPA’s Sustainable Skylines, CenSARA’s Blue Skyways, America’s Green Region CenSARA’s Blue Skyways, America’s Green Region Strategy, and the Chamber’s Climate Change PartnershipStrategy, and the Chamber’s Climate Change Partnership
Other local government & institutional partnersOther local government & institutional partners have implemented their own actionshave implemented their own actions Much, much moreMuch, much more
Concern for our future:
Hopeless or Hopeful?Hopeless or Hopeful?
Dire predictions make us feel Dire predictions make us feel helplesshelpless
Change happens incrementally Change happens incrementally but reaches a tipping pointbut reaches a tipping point
We must motivate people to We must motivate people to take personal responsibilitytake personal responsibility
No action is too smallNo action is too small Everyone can make a Everyone can make a
difference, often in difference, often in unpredictable or unintended unpredictable or unintended ways ways
