JH CLIMATE ACTION COLLECTIVE SEEKS NET ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS BY 2030 By Nancy Shea, JH Climate Action Collective
The Jackson Hole Climate Action Collective (JHCAC) was created to help Teton County do its part to reduce carbon emissions and address local climate change impacts. Under the leadership of Jackson Hole’s Mayor Pete Muldoon, the JHCAC first invited interested citizens to gather in January of 2020. In the months following, the organization has formed action committees and recruited experienced volunteers to lead the effort. We envision a future without catastrophic climate change, and we will work to make Jackson Hole a vital player in creating that future for all. Our overarching goal is to achieve net zero carbon emissions for Teton County by 2030. To accomplish this, we have adopted three action-oriented strategies. STRATEGY 1: Work with local governments to make climate-positive policy decisions. • Seek a commitment to embed climate change in all local government decision-making. • Advocate for the creation of a Climate Action Department with dedicated staff in the Town and County governments, inspired by regional examples. • Advocate for development of a Climate Action Plan (CAP) for town and county, with the target of adoption of a CAP by January 2022. STRATEGY 2: Increase community engagement in manifesting the NetZero Carbon 2030 goal. • Engage a large group of inspired, knowledgeable, motivated residents who are willing to be proactive supporters. • Take advantage of any opportunity to comment at public meetings, engage in debates, and use the media to increase public awareness.
• Work in coordination with all other Teton County organizations that are addressing climate positive goals and prioritizing collaboration and coalition building. • Inspire citizens of Teton County to find ways to lower their own carbon footprint. STRATEGY 3: Marshal resources and expertise and coordinate efforts to implement a climate action plan that achieves Net Zero Carbon by 2030. • Research available funding sources for communityscale action. • Inventory what’s already happening in Teton County and what’s being done in similar communities. • Continue to develop partnerships with other organizations pursuing similar goals. In the coming months, working with partners and other local experts, we will determine what policies and actions will have the most impact for reducing our local carbon footprint. We will reach out to increase membership, engaging as many people as possible and raising community awareness of climate-positive actions. Everyone can make a difference! Join us by sending your name and email to: jhclimateactioncollective@gmail.com or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and jhclimateactioncollective.org.
AUTHOR BIO Nancy Shea, PhD is on the organizing committee of JH Climate Action Collective. She is a consultant to Mountainside Institute and runs Tetons True Nature. She is adjunct faculty for University of Wyoming and Southern Oregon University.
“Jackson prides itself on being a leader so this community must step up to climatepositive actions. The time is here and now – we need to bring together all the expertise and creativity in this community to create collective action. Together, I believe we can create a better world and a livable future for all.” 8
–Hannah Habermann, JHCAC Organizing Committee
