FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2023
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gordon Tepper, Rebecca Cheng and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794
Brian Devine | (516) 869-2475
North Hempstead Adopts Municipal Climate Action Plan for Mitigation and Adaptation
North Hempstead, NY – At the Town of North Hempstead’s March 14 Board Meeting, Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena and the Town Board unanimously adopted a Climate Action Plan, which included a multitude of actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate within its municipal operations as well as a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.
“The Town of North Hempstead recognizes the detrimental impacts of climate change on our residents and the natural environment, including sea level rise, more intense weather and flooding, higher temperatures, and more frequent droughts,” Town Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “We are always looking for ways to implement policies to reduce the Town's carbon footprint in its own operations, as well as to assist community members in their sustainability efforts through education, legislation, and other measures. The Climate Action Plan will go a long way towards guiding such changes in the future.”
The plan was developed in collaboration with the Town’s Climate Smart Communities Task Force and focuses on the following key categories:
• Decreasing energy use and shifting to clean, renewable energy;
• Transportation and fleet;
• Resiliency, adaptation, and natural solutions; and
• Materials and waste management.
“With this step we lay the foundation of an ongoing and collective process that demonstrates we are committed to engaging local government, residents, businesses, community stakeholders and the public on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the active role we can play in reducing the impacts of climate change,” stated Council Member Veronica Lurvey.
“This is an important step towards achieving New York State Climate Smart Communities Certification,” stated Council Member Mariann Dalimonte. “Completion of the measures and projects outlined in this Municipal Operations Climate Action Plan will help the Town reach our greenhouse gas reduction goals and make our communities more resilient.”
The Town’s Department of Planning and Environmental Protection, with the assistance from staff from all departments, will be responsible for oversight of implementation of this CAP, tracking and monitoring progress towards meeting emission reduction goals, identifying proposed changes in policy, and employee education and engagement.
Residents can access the Town’s Municipal Operations Climate Action Plan along with tools and resources to mitigate climate change at NorthHempsteadNY.gov/ClimateAction
