ALLENTOWN, Pa. — City officials have released a survey for residents to share their priorities when it comes to climate change mitigation strategies.
The City of Allentown Climate Action Plan Survey is live and available online.
“Residents’ voices will help us work together to reduce our environmental impact, adapt to extreme weather, and fight for the resources that our communities need to stay strong and healthy.”Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk in a news release
“Allentown has to be ready for a changing climate world, so we’re developing a climate action plan that will help us understand the vulnerability of our neighborhoods and what we can do to keep residents safe,” Mayor Matt Tuerk said in a news release.
“Residents’ voices will help us work together to reduce our environmental impact, adapt to extreme weather, and fight for the resources that our communities need to stay strong and healthy.”
The survey asks residents to rank the importance of global warming to them, as well as concerns about the impacts projected for the city as a consequence of climate change, such as increased temperatures and extreme weather.
The third question asks residents to choose the co-benefits of climate action that are most important — such as like better air quality, saving money and addressing inequalities.
Third city to create plan
In the city’s most recent budget, funds were allocated to draft a climate action plan.
When completed, the city will be the third of the Lehigh Valley’s major cities to create a climate action plan — a plan unique to the city to address climate change mitigation strategies and increase community engagement with related issues.
“This survey is the first step in that process and the AEAC is super excited to see it come to fruition.”Kyle Ropski, chair of the EAC
“The Allentown Environmental Advisory Council has been advocating for an Allentown-specific Climate Action Plan for years,” EAC Chairman Kyle Ropski said.
“While [Lehigh Valley Planning Commission]'s regional plan currently in progress is important as well, the development of a CAP specific to the city of Allentown will ensure we have guidance more tailored to the unique aspects and needs of our community.
“The best way to be certain we meet those needs, and create the best CAP for Allentown residents, is through robust community input and engagement.
"This survey is the first step in that process and the AEAC is super excited to see it come to fruition.”
LehighValleyNews.com has reached out to the city, asking how long the survey will be available.
Lehigh Valley CAPs
The Valley has seen climate action planning in recent years both at the city and regional level.
The Lehigh Valley Planning Committee is in the midst of working on a Greater Lehigh Valley Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.
In September, the commission published its regional greenhouse gas inventory.
Overall, the report shows the region emits 12.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, or MTCO₂e, working out to about 14.7 MTCO₂e per resident.
Bethlehem’s climate action plan was published in April 2021. Since then, officials have doubled down, seeking to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions 33% by 2025, a 60% reduction by 2030 and hitting net-zero status by 2040.
The municipal operations target is a 67% reduction by 2025 and net zero by 2030.
Easton’s climate action plan has similar objectives. Published in October 2021, its goals include a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, increasing to 80% by 2050.
Allentown, so far, does not have a published climate action plan.
However, the city’s EAC in July 2021 submitted to council a climate action report.
Included are a 2018 greenhouse gas inventory, as well as sustainability efforts outlined in the Allentown Vision 2030 plan, of which “next steps” include creating a climate action plan that integrates with regional plans.
