On this week’s program, we’re talking Regional Climate Action Planning with Sumedha Rao and Gianna Bennett from the Metro Louisville Mayor's Office of Sustainability (http://louisvilleky.gov/sustainability). The Office of Sustainability is currently conducting a Regional Climate Action Plan Survey to collect information on residents’ climate and sustainability priorities. This work is funded by an EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, and residents within our Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) can participate in the survey. That includes the following 11 counties: In Kentucky: Louisville/Jefferson County, Bullitt County, Oldham County, Shelby County, Spencer County, Henry County, and Trimble County; In Indiana: Clark County, Floyd County, Harrison County, and Washington County.

Responses before January 31 are eligible to enter a raffle and win some sustainable swag! Take the survey now at https://louisville.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dmYa3jp8EKAZU3A

This work is funded by a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant and will be used by the Office to update and improve Louisville’s climate action plans. Louisville Metro Government has received a grant from the EPA to create an updated Climate Action Plan for the region. This work builds on past and ongoing community-engaged efforts, including the Louisville Metro Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan and similar plans from other regions. It is also in support of the priorities outlined in A Path Forward for Louisville (https://apathforward4lou.org/).

This Climate Action Plan aims to reduce emissions and position this region for larger EPA grants. The goals are to:
1. Implement actions to reduce major greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and beyond;
2. Pursue actions to achieve community benefits in low-income areas and areas that experience most environmental harms;
3. Pursue effective policies and programs that can be “scaled up” across other areas and initiatives.
This 5-10 minute survey will tell us what work we should prioritize.

As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!

Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org

The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com