Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs announces support for President Obama’s climate action plan

Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs
Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs
Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs

Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs announces support for President Obama’s climate action plan

By Zach Learner Chief of Staff Office of Mayor Kristin

Broward County Mayor Kristin Jacobs announced her strong support for President Barack Obama’s climate action plan. Mayor Jacobs attended the president’s speech on Tuesday and participated in a discussion with the president and other state and local leaders at the White House.

“The president is showing strong leadership on climate change,” Mayor Jacobs said. “This is a fine day for our country and the world. We owe it to our children and future generations to act on these issues. I am honored to have met the president and to be part of this important day.”

The president’s proposals will limit carbon emissions to avoid the worst effects of climate change, help the nation adapt to the impacts that can’t be avoided, and lead global efforts to combat climate change.

For the first time, U.S. power plants would be required to limit carbon pollution, just as they already limit the emissions of mercury, lead, arsenic and sulfur. Reduced carbon emissions would also come from higher fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty trucks; even stronger efficiency standards for appliances and buildings; and $8 billion in loan guarantees for innovative fossil energy projects that reduce or sequester carbon emissions.

The president’s plan also includes a series of measures to prepare the United States for the impacts of climate change and to build on and support the existing climate resilience efforts of state and local governments. Federal agencies will be required to remove barriers to climate-resilient investments, and a short-term task force of state, local and tribal governments will be formed to advise the administration on key actions the federal government could take to support climate resilience efforts.

Broward County and the other counties of southeast Florida are among the areas in the country most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The impacts include coastal flooding during high tide events and widespread flooding during extreme weather; greater, more destructive storm surges; sluggish operations of storm water drainage systems; saltwater contamination of drinking water supplies; beach erosion; damage to public infrastructure and private property; and pressures on our natural systems, including the Everglades, our coastal reefs and tidal habitats.

In light of these challenges, the four counties of southeast Florida — Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe —formed the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact in 2010. This intergovernmental collaboration won the approval of all four county commissions and is one of the first regional efforts of its kind in the country. The Compact agreement has produced a unified sea level rise projection and other technical documents, as well as a Regional Climate Action Plan for reducing local carbon emissions and building climate resilient communities. Compact partners have worked closely with federal agencies on climate issues and have been recognized repeatedly by the White House for their efforts.

“Through the Compact, our region has done a great deal to reduce our carbon footprint and prepare for the future impacts of climate change. We need to do more, but we cannot solve these problems on our own,” Mayor Jacobs said. “That’s why the president’s plan is so important. It provides the federal leadership needed at the national and international scale, and it supports the great work already being undertaken by local governments and states. This is the most significant national climate initiative in decades.”

About Carma Henry 24363 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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