Air pollution contributes
to higher rates of cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and has been
linked to higher COVID-19 mortality rates. Some air pollutants, like
methane and carbon dioxide, are also greenhouse gases, which warm the
atmosphere and lead to higher temperatures and rising seas. Communities
located near highways and other major transportation infrastructure, and
socially vulnerable populations, such as people of color, older
residents, children, and people with chronic illnesses, are negatively
impacted at a higher rate than others.
Mayor Janey’s
Administration is taking steps to recognize and address the risks of
climate change, and to protect Boston’s urban ecosystem. This month,
Mayor Janey proposed the following investments for environmental resilience
and climate justice in the Fiscal Year 2022-2026 Capital Plan proposal:
·
$48
million for Phase 2 and 3 of Renew Boston Trust, which is designed to
identify energy retrofit project opportunities in City-owned buildings to
create future energy savings.
·
$5
million for a Climate Ready Boston Harbor study to support the
development of a study that will examine the feasibility of measures
along and within the Boston Harbor to reduce vulnerability of coastal
flooding due to sea level rise caused by climate change.
·
$20
million to design and implement a signature, climate resilient waterfront
park along the Fort Point Channel.
·
$1.7
million per year for the ongoing program of street tree planting
throughout the city
·
$1.8
million to repave pathways at Dorchester Park
·
$7.5
million to repave pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility
and site conditions
·
$15.5
million to complete the park redesign at Copley Square to optimize
resilience to high-traffic events and storm-water
·
$9.4
million to redesign and construct a new Malcolm X Park through the City’s
first Equitable Procurement Pilot program
As indicated in
the 2019 Climate Action Plan update, the City of Boston is taking action
to stop our contribution to climate change. Between 2005 and 2016, the
amount of carbon pollution emitted by city operations was reduced by 18 percent. Last month, the
City announced the completion of $11 million in energy efficiency and
renewable energy upgrades to 14 municipal buildings, representing $680,000 in savings and a
one percent reduction in municipal greenhouse gas emissions. In February,
Community Choice Electricity began supplying over 200,000 residences
and commercial customers with more affordable and renewable electricity.
In order to provide high quality, safe, and cleaner affordable housing to
our most vulnerable residents, the City of Boston recently awarded $34 million to support the creation
of 608 new units that will be built to zero emissions standards. Climate Ready Boston is simultaneously strengthening Boston’s
climate change resilience and adaptation with near- and long-term
planning through neighborhood-level engagement and solutions.
Last week, Mayor Janey announced Reverend Mariama
White-Hammond as Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space for the
City of Boston. In this role, Rev. White-Hammond, who started today, will
be responsible for leading the Cabinet in achieving its mission of
enhancing environmental justice and quality of life in Boston by
protecting air, water, climate, and land resources, as well as preserving
and improving the integrity of Boston's architectural and historic
resources. For more information on how Boston is actively preparing for
the impacts of climate change and advancing the vision of a resilient
city, visit boston.gov/environment.
To learn more
about the grants and application process, please visit boston.gov/clean-air-grant. To learn more about the work of the
Environment, Energy, and Open Space department, please visit boston.gov/environment. |
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