We Believe We Can Make A Difference through Local Action
The Menlo Park Green Ribbon Citizens’ Committee (GRCC) advocates, inspires, and supports action among the residents, businesses, and institutions of Menlo Park to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to sustainable levels.
Do You Know the Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Menlo Park?
- A 50 - 90% loss of Sierra snowpack by 2100 (the source of our drinking water as well as cheap clean hydropower)
- Bay waters flooding businesses and homes east of 101, our water treatment plant, and area airports and highways
- Increasing heat waves and wildfires with serious safety and health impacts
What is the GRCC?
We are a group of individuals from the Menlo Park community who volunteer our time, energy, and talent to address the climate change problem.
Launched in spring 2007 with support from the Menlo Park City Council and staff, the volunteer-led Green Ribbon Citizens’ Committee (GRCC) held numerous open public meetings that facilitated research, discussions, and educational programs on climate change action.
The GRCC’s first nine months of work by more than 120 volunteers resulted in a November 2007 Climate Action Report & Recommendations (available on www.menlopark.org) recommending to the City a number of interim low cost, high impact potential actions in the following areas:
* Energy & Waste Reduction
* Transit & Transportation
* Land Use & Building
* Communications, Education, & Outreach
* Green Business Development.
Consequently, the City Council authorized development of a Climate Action Plan and approved approximately 20 related budget measures proposed by the GRCC.
In 2008, the GRCC efforts are focused on helping individuals and community groups learn and take action. Because climate change affects our whole community, we value a diverse range of expertise and perspectives and hope you will consider joining us!
Reducing Our Community’s Carbon Footprint -- Leading by Example
Our community‘s per capita CO2 emissions rates are among the highest in the world. To sustain life on the planet as we know it, our emissions must be rapidly reduced by 80% by 2050; that translates to a very doable 2% per year.
The GRCC’s efforts for 2008 and beyond are focusing on outreach to engage the wider community in effective action. We’re organized into the following all-volunteer action teams:
- Green Building Action Team
- Business Action Team
- Communities of Faith Action Team
- Neighborhood Action Team
- School Action Team
- Transportation Action Team
- Outreach and Education Team
Your Time and Our Time for Climate Action
Each team welcomes new members who can participate as their time, interests, and passion allow.
Together we can make a difference that our children and grandchildren will thank us for.
Please join us!
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