North Yarmouth Survey #2- Action Plan Priorities

North Yarmouth is creating its first Climate Action Plan and we want your input!
Please join us at 5:30 pm on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 for the accompanying Climate Action Forum at Wescustogo Hall.

This survey's purpose is to determine the top priorities for the North Yarmouth community related to 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 buildings or driving cars. Climate change also impacts every aspect of our communities, including public health, road safety, and access to quality food. To reduce NY’s emissions and the impacts from climate hazards, preparations should be taken across the community.

The draft Climate Action Plan is organized by five categories:
  • Municipal 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, low priority, non-priority or neutral.

Question Title

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

  High Priority Medium Priority Low Priority Non-Priority Neutral
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)
Redevelop municipal procurement and discarding policies (e.g. commit to buying recyclable/compostable materials for town events)
Update infrastructure to mitigate 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)

Question Title

* 2. Buildings & Energy: Buildings and facilities, specifically residential homes, were the biggest contributors to North Yarmouth’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 Low Priority Non-Priority Neutral
Reduce community usage of fossil fuel heating sources (e.g. promote rebates for installing heat pumps)
Promote energy efficient buildings (e.g. adopt stretch code)
Expand usage of renewable energy sources (e.g. share financial incentives for solar through the town website)
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)

Question Title

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

  High Priority Medium Priority Low Priority Non-Priority Neutral
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)
Adapt transportation infrastructure to climate impacts (e.g. plan for upsizing vulnerable culverts)
Commit to land management techniques that reduce carbon emissions (e.g. maintain zero net forest loss in town boundaries)

Question Title

* 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.

  High Priority Medium Priority Low Priority Non-Priority Neutral
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)
Support and protect the natural environment (e.g. work with regional partners to prevent wetland loss)

Question Title

* 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.

  High Priority Medium Priority Low Priority Non-Priority Neutral
Promote local food and resource networks (e.g. start/expand a “no buy” community group)
Reduce waste volume and promote recycling (e.g. increase public compost drop-off)

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