In a unanimous decision ahead of Earth Day, the Ramsey County Board has adopted a Climate Equity Action Plan aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions and bolstering community resilience against climate change's adverse effects. According to Ramsey County officials, this groundbreaking initiative not only addresses environmental sustainability but notably prioritizes equitable solutions for underrepresented communities – hit hardest by climate-induced health risks and economic impacts.
One core element of the plan, developed in collaboration with local residents and partners, involves tackling pressing health concerns such as asthma, heart disease, and an uptick in disease-bearing insects. By pulling from the Minnesota Climate Action Framework, the county hopes to bolster its means to mitigate against the ravishing impact of climate change, an issue where experts link devastation with socioeconomic disparity. "By centering our community’s voices and values in the development of this Climate Equity Action Plan, we are forging a path toward true equity and sustainability for all," Board Chair Trista Martinson, told Ramsey County.
The plan outlines six key target areas: clean transportation, thriving communities, healthy lives, energy-efficient buildings, climate-smart natural land, and a clean economy. Officials are betting on a comprehensive approach that extends across all county departments with clear actions earmarked for immediate and long-range implementation. Some of the immediate steps include offering environmental education, forming a resident advisory team for equitable climate action, securing the necessary funding, and expanding staff to manage these objectives effectively.
Furthermore, Ramsey County is hosting the inaugural Green Ramsey Expo and Career Fair on May 1, to highlight sustainable employment opportunities and environmental initiatives. The event, which is free to the public, will showcase an array of green-collar jobs and enterprises that have transitioned to more environmentally friendly practices. Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt reflected on the strategy's inclusive ethos, "Disasters don’t discriminate, but responses do," she, said during a National Resilient Counties Advisory Board meeting noted by Ramsey County. This sentiment fuels the county's drive for an intentionally equitable response to the burgeoning challenges of climate change.
As summer approaches, Ramsey County is also seeking volunteers for an urban heat island data collection campaign, part of a wider metropolitan collaborative effort. Such community participation is a cornerstone of the plan's success, aiming to empower local residents in shaping a future that is both sustainable and fair.
