Past Successes

 

What is a Climate Action Plan?

It is a collection of initiatives to reach the target reductions. These initiatives will address both primary and secondary sources of carbon emissions, and include finding efficiency and technological improvements available to the municipality. Areas addressed will include buildings, (Historic District Commission guidelines; incentives for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources)  lighting, town fleet, public transportation, community policies (e.g., idling policy), life cycle cost analysis for purchases, composting program, gray water /lo-flow toilet program, bio-degradable plastic  trash bags; biker/pedestrian friendly community; public education campaign for the environment; school curriculum…

Why create a Climate Protection Action Plan?

There are many benefits economic and environmental benefits to creating a Climate Protection Action Plan including

Cleaner air and water.

Cost Reduction Through:

• increased energy efficiency
• development of renewable energy
• reduced dependency on fossil fuels

Reduced traffic congestion & pollution, benefiting tourist economy and downtown revitalization.

Economic benefits of becoming an eco-tourism destination.

Increased availability of locally-grown & produced food & specialty products.

Potential for economic benefits through agri-tourism.

Nantucket has a strong motivation for joining this Campaign and making a definitive commitment to reducing fossil-fuel use and carbon emissions. Unlike many of these other towns and cities, our unique geographical situation makes us particularly vulnerable to the potential effects of climate change – advanced erosion should sea-levels rise as predicted, and devastating storm damage if the wind and water currents are altered. Yet it also gives us access to significant renewable energy resources (wind-power and tidal-power) and makes energy independence a real possibility for us in the not-too-distant future. Completion of the Climate Protection Action Plan will fulfill criteria set by the Massachusetts Green Communities Act, thereby significantly increasing the Town of Nantucket’s eligibility to receive state funding toward renewable energy development on Nantucket.