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We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Charleston County Sustainability Manager Arielle Gerstein, who graciously guided staff through the efforts that her department is taking toward planning for the future of our region.
In 2021, Charleston County Council prioritized sustainability by hiring its first sustainability professional and they voted to adopt the Climate Action Resolution to:
- Support the education of residents and businesses on matters related to the climate crisis;
- Establish its commitment to climate action by working closely with municipal governments on climate resilience and sustainability polices; and
- Encourage the development and implementation of a community-based integrated Climate Action Plan.
A Climate Action Plan is important because it establishes short and long-term goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change and creates a list of actions that should be taken to reach emissions reduction goals.
Why the focus on greenhouse gas emissions? We are measuring the quantity of greenhouse gases emitted in Charleston County so we have a starting point to create emissions reduction goals. Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring gases that are dispersed in the atmosphere and determine the Earth’s climate by trapping solar radiation. According to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the concentration of greenhouse gases is increasing and changing the global climate by intensifying the natural greenhouse effect. The results we see are weather events like increased flooding, droughts, hurricanes, and hotter temperatures. If we are able to reduce the quantity of greenhouse gases being emitted, we can lessen the effects of climate change.
Charleston County decided to develop a Climate Action Plan for several reasons including to:
- Develop a framework to meet sustainability goals
- Align with the sustainability work at the City of Charleston (the City of Charleston passed a Climate Action Plan in 2021)
- Help anticipate and manage climate-related risks
- Ensure infrastructure is resilient to climate change
The first step in creating emissions reduction goals is to establish a baseline year of greenhouse gas emissions levels for Charleston County. The County is using 2020 as its baseline year, so if a Climate Action Plan is implemented the County can compare greenhouse gas emissions for future years and track its progress.
The Climate Action Plan’s list of actions will focus on mitigation, meaning actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change, rather than adaptation, which are actions that manage the impacts of climate change. Examples of mitigation actions are: reducing the use of fossil fuels from homes, vehicles, and industries; cleaning the electricity grid and expanding renewable energy; improving energy efficiency in buildings; and reducing organic waste headed to landfills by composting.
The actions in this plan will map out a more sustainable and resilient future for Charleston County so it is important to collaborate closely with other local governments, business professionals, and community members. In June we held our first webinar called Climate Action Planning 101, you can view the recording here. In the fall of 2023, we plan to hold multiple webinars which will allow the public to give their input into Charleston County’s low-carbon strategies. See Charleston County’s Resilience and Sustainability website for more information and to sign up.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a presentation about Charleston County’s Climate Action Planning initiative, email Arielle Gerstein, Sustainability Manager, at sustainchsco@charlestoncounty.org.
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