Cape Elizabeth Survey #2- Action Plan Priorities

Cape Elizabeth is creating its first Climate Action Plan and we want your input!
This survey aims to determine the top priorities for the Cape Elizabeth community regarding reducing emissions, building community resilience, and mitigating the impacts of climate hazards.
Climate change is caused by an excess of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases are released from human activities, including burning oil and gas for heating our buildings, and driving gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. Climate change also impacts every aspect of our communities, including public health, road safety, and access to quality food. To reduce Cape Elizabeth’s emissions and the impacts of climate hazards, the community needs to take action. Some of the proposed actions will require more work than others and fall into five categories:
  • Municipal & School Operations
  • Buildings & Energy
  • Transportation & Land Use
  • Resilience, Public Health & Natural Resources
  • Food & Waste Systems
Indicate the level of importance of each draft strategy listed within each category by selecting it as high priority, medium priority, neutral, low priority, or non-priority.

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* 1. Municipal Operations: The Town of Cape Elizabeth can directly change processes and infrastructure for municipal and school properties. Engaging in these strategies will decrease Town emissions and make public infrastructure more resilient to climate impacts.

  High Priority Medium Priority Neutral Low Priority Non-Priority
Improve energy efficiency of municipal buildings and facilities (e.g. upgrade insulation and heating systems)
Reduce fossil fuel use in municipal facilities (e.g. transition to electric heat sources)
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the municipal vehicle fleet (e.g. transition to electric vehicles)
Create municipal procurement and discarding policies (e.g. commit to buying recyclable/compostable materials for town events)
Update infrastructure to accommodate climate impacts (e.g. upsize culverts at risk of exceeding capacity)
Ensure Town staff has capacity to enact Climate Action Plan (e.g. hire new staff member to facilitate implementation and pursue grant funding and other partnerships)

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* 2. Buildings & Energy: Buildings and facilities, specifically residential homes, are the biggest contributors to Cape Elizabeth’s emissions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this sector is key to reducing the town’s environmental impact. Protecting homes and communities from climate hazards is also addressed in this sector.

  High Priority Medium Priority Neutral Low Priority Non-Priority
Reduce community usage of fossil fuel heating sources (e.g. promote rebates for installing heat pumps)
Promote energy efficient buildings (e.g. share incentives to upgrade insulation to reduce heating costs)
Expand usage of renewable energy sources (e.g. build more solar or share financial incentives)
Prepare buildings for future climate hazards (e.g. restrict construction in areas with high flood risk)
Prepare for population growth and climate migration (e.g. identify growth zones to facilitate smart development)

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* 3. Transportation & Land Use: Transportation emissions were the second highest contributor to Cape Elizabeth’s community greenhouse gas emissions. Amending transportation and land use methods is essential to preparing Cape Elizabeth for a resilient, low-emission future.

  High Priority Medium Priority Neutral Low Priority Non-Priority
Expand the usage of electric vehicles and EV infrastructure (e.g. require EV charging in new construction)
Expand accessible and safe active transportation infrastructure (e.g. increase sidewalk and bike line mileage or explore expansion of public transit)
Adapt transportation infrastructure to climate impacts (e.g. plan for upsizing vulnerable culverts)

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* 4. Resilience, Public Health & Natural Resources: Climate change impacts the interconnected structures of human and natural relationships. Risk factors like high heat, mosquitos, ticks, and invasive species are addressed in this sector. Preparing for climate hazards protects the community and reduces costs from medical bills and property damage.

  High Priority Medium Priority Neutral Low Priority Non-Priority
Update emergency management plans and techniques (e.g. increase public use of emergency communication systems)
Adapt for extreme weather, power outages, and public health risks (e.g. establish a heating/cooling center with backup power)
Protect natural resources and reduce pollution to the environment (e.g. work with regional partners to prevent wetland loss)
Promote open space and green infrastructure (e.g. pursue nature-based solutions for erosion and flooding protection)

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* 5. Food & Waste Systems: The systems by which we acquire our food and resources, as well as dispose of them, greatly contribute to human-caused climate change. Changing acquiring and disposing practices is key to reducing further climate change and will likely result in long-term cost savings, particularly for waste disposal.

  High Priority Medium Priority Neutral Low Priority Non-Priority
Promote local food and resource networks (e.g. expand awareness of and/or access to “no buy” community resources)
Reduce waste volume and promote recycling (e.g. expand awareness of and/or access to public compost drop-off)

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* 6. What is your age?

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