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San Miguel County Takes Steps to Reduce Its Carbon Emissions TELLURIDE – Telluride will be home to one of more than 2,000 rallies in more than 140 nations on Saturday in an event that is meant to urge world and local leaders to take fast and effective action on global warming. Local Living Solutions for Global Climate Change is the first global campaign ever organized around a scientific data point: 350 parts per million CO2 is the safe upper limit for the atmosphere according to the latest scientific data.
Organized in Telluride by The New Community Coalition, One to One Mentoring Program, Ah Haa School for the Arts, and Mountainfilm, Saturday’s daylong Local Living Solutions for Global Climate Change festivities include an applied weatherization workshop, a renewable transportation expo, a Spooktacular Art Day, a chili and salsa cook-off, and a solar car race.
Because scientists have predicted that the Southwestern U.S. may be among the regions most ravaged by co2-induced climate change, San Miguel County supports the worldwide call for 350 ppm, and has chosen to take a leading role in efforts to minimize and reduce environmental impacts.
“We need to get to work,” San Miguel County Commissioner Joan May said. “It’s not just about us. I believe we are at a critical point in terms of our planet’s survivability, and in being able to live our lives as we are accustomed to. It is important that individuals attempt to make a difference and do what we can, but real changes to our global environment must come from the government level.
“It is important that, from small governments on up, we do all that we can to curb carbon emissions.”
Commissioner Elaine Fischer said that the importance of such grassroots effort cannot be overstated.
“This is very important to our community,” she said. “We are all very aware of climate change, and the importance of reducing carbon emissions to 350 parts per million. We are already on the verge of a potentially disastrous situation for us and for our entire world. Science tells us that this is something extremely significant in helping us to preserve our planet.”
So far, San Miguel County’s efforts to reduce energy use and CO2 emissions have included:
An energy audit of all county buildings and facilities, with the goal of stopping increased emissions by 2010 and reducing overall energy use by 80 percent by 2050. The study has already resulted in the discovery of several areas where an investment in improved equipment would not only lower energy bills, but would significantly reduce electricity or natural gas use;
Recently revising the County’s Prescriptive Energy and Green Building Code;
Joining the Cool Counties initiative, which sets specific goals for energy reduction;
Supporting commuter transit options through Galloping Goose, Norwood and Down Valley routes, and a county-sponsored van pool from Ridgway and Montrose;
Constructing a pedestrian tunnel beneath Hwy 145, which links up to the existing three-mile long bike path along the Hwy 145 spur to and from Town;
Encouraging school children to walk or ride their bikes to school whenever feasible through the Greenstar Program for School Children;
Incorporating solar energy and green building techniques into county facilities wherever possible – including the use of passive solar design in the Wright’s Mesa Garage and the installation of a solar-powered building heater on the Basin SAR Facility;
Conducting a wind feasibility study, with an anemometer set up at the County Fairgrounds in Norwood, to determine the feasibility for wind generation on Wright’s Mesa.
For additional information on Saturday’s Living Solutions for Global Climate Change and a complete event schedule visit www.newcommunitycoalition.org. Photos from events happening all over the world will be available for free use at: www.350.org/media.