Encourages Approval of CAAP

When Glendale established its Sustainability Commission in 2021, I was proud to serve as first chairperson. The first, [and] most important business, at the time was to create a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The city initiated a similar effort in 2012– the Greener Glendale Plan – an assortment of policies and programs to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental issues. The plan sat on the shelf without much attention. 

Now, more than 13 years later, the city is taking a more dynamic approach with its draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP). Given growing inaction at the national level to address climate change, we need local action to address local consequences of a warming planet. The recent Eaton Fire that almost reached our Glendale canyon communities reminds us that we are vulnerable and that climate adaptation is not an abstract or global issue. Sustainability is resiliency, is adaptation, is smart, and is good city planning. 

I urge City Council to adopt the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan at its meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12 and I appeal to residents to also speak up to encourage Council approval. We are all impacted by extreme heat days, less rain, increased risk of wildfire, flooding, landslides and poor air quality. The CAAP encourages the city to invest in local energy sources that can better ensure reliable power when regional transmission lines fail. It doubles down on disaster preparedness by leaning on decentralized neighborhood networks for support and communication during emergencies. It calls for adding shade trees to our city landscape so walking or taking transit is more tolerable during hot summer days. It encourages more public electric vehicle chargers to help multi-family building residents conveniently transition to emission-free vehicles, improving local air quality. 

The CAAP’s proposed programmatic and structural changes make our city better and more resilient. They are good for people and good for our environment. I look forward to a brighter, cleaner and more resilient Glendale that we all call home. 

More information can be found at the CAAP website: https://glendalecaap.rinconconsultants.com/.

Alek Bartrosouf
Glendale

Alek Bartrosouf served as a former chair of the city’s Sustainability Commission, currently serves on the Transportation and Parking Commission, lives in Glendale, and is a city transportation planner by profession.