Support Climate Action in Charlottesville’s FY2021 Budget

WE NEED YOUR VOICE!

At C3 we are distressed by the current health and economic hardships inflicted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis reminds us all of how vulnerable we are to threats beyond our control. We hope that this distressing context might serve to help us deepen our sense of community and seal our determination to build a more sustainable and prosperous world for all.

Even so, we would like to continue with our climate budget-advocacy during the next few weeks as the City of Charlottesville will not suspend the process of reviewing and approving the proposed Government Budget for fiscal year 2021. Last year, our community spoke, and the City Council unanimously approved ambitious climate goals. This year, however, the proposed budget has not identified climate action as a “budget priority” and has reduced climate-related investments.

Add your voice to ensure that our City’s leadership on climate is more than an aspirational statement!


City Council email information

To contact all City Councilors, please send an email to council@charlottesville.org (this email will also be sent to the City Manager and other key personnel). To contact City Councilors individually, please find their email information here.


SAmple of email to City Council - Budget FY2021

Dear [City Councilor] [Last Name]:

As citizens of the Charlottesville area, we share a common goal to protect the health and vitality of our community against effects of climate change impacting our built, social, and natural systems. The future of our community, our children, and our legacy is dependent on our commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

So, we thank you for setting a leadership target to reduce community-wide GHG emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. However, we are concerned that the current version of the City’s FY2021 Budget does not reflect the commitment required to reach our climate targets.

Therefore, we urge City Council to adopt the following recommendations for this year’s budget:

1. Strengthen the City’s Environmental Sustainability Division

Provide the division with sufficient resources (such as additional staff and budget for contracting third-party assistance for research and studies).

2. Incentivize Cleaner, More Efficient, and More Equitable Energy Consumption Patterns

Establish a Climate Action Fund to match County of Albemarle’s Climate Action Pool of $ 750,000, which was created to support strategies to address climate change.

3. Incentivize Cleaner, More Efficient, and More Equitable Transportation System

Improve CAT’s service quality; Increase funding to repair and create new sidewalks and bike lanes; Increase of public EV charging stations.

4. Ensure That Climate is a Priority Criteria for Key Decision Making in the City

Require key strategic boards and committees to include a community member with demonstrated experience in climate action and policy and/or create the “Charlottesville Climate Advisory Committee”. Require the City’s “Budget Priorities” to include Climate Leadership.

Thank you, again, for supporting this common-sense idea and recognizing the need to lead on efforts to address the existing climate crisis. Together we can ensure the health and vitality of our residents, protect our natural resources, and strengthen the resilience of this dynamic community we call home.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME


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