CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING FOR THE CITY OF SHAMOKIN

Author:

margaret barton

Co-Authors:

Institution:

Bucknell University

Abstract

In response to climate change, many local governments are supporting state and federal greenhouse gas(GHG)  reduction targets with the development of their own plans for climate mitigation and adaptation to build their own resiliency. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has developed a program with ICLEI to aid local governments in this effort. For this collaboration, I conducted a greenhouse gas inventory for 2018 in the City of Shamokin, Pennsylvania in the fall of 2020. These results are used to inform a Climate Action Plan for the city. The inventory shows the following distribution of emissions: the transportation sector with 41.68% followed by the residential energy sector with 23.82%, the commercial energy sector with 18.09%, the solid waste sector with 12.56%, and the industrial energy sector with 3.21%. Objectives and actions are developed in partnership with the community through the development of a task force. For transportation, the emissions reduction strategy is to reduce the vehicle miles travelled by creating a more walkable/bikeable and economically viable downtown. The residential and commercial energy sectors will focus on the end use energy efficiency and potentially renewable energy generation. The emissions from the waste sector are based largely on organic matter, so the plan will focus on waste reduction and composting. There is room to focus on proper disposal and e-waste for ancillary benefits to the community. The Climate Action Plan is focused primarily on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but there is an attempt to include mitigation efforts and concerns of environmental justice. The aim is to increase overall resiliency in the community.