Two Ways to Be a Climate Advocate in Erie in 2024

Contributed photo

This corridor on West 12th Street is currently under consideration for redevelopment via the 12th Street Reimagined study, which offers a great opportunity for local residents to advocate for a Green and Complete Streets ordinance to help make our community healthier and more sustainable.

The year 2023 was the Earth's hottest on record and the extreme temperature increase negatively impacted Erieites last summer. SeaWolves games, children's summer camps, and park classes were canceled in June due to smoke fueled by Canadian wildfires linked to warming temperatures.

Unfortunately, 2024 is shaping up to be even hotter. An erratic thunderstorm in January, similar to what Erieites expect in the summertime, brought unusually high winds. Impacts included disruption to Presque Isle State Park operations, storm damage for businesses and houses, and widespread power outages. There are more signs of warming temperatures and extreme weather this spring: songbirds arriving early to feeders and spring bulbs popping up only to be covered by lake effect snow.

In the Erie Reader's 2023 Year in Review, managing editor Erin Phillips emphasized the urgency of addressing climate-related disasters stating, "All other Year in Review summaries don't really matter if we don't address the major one: climate change…The tipping point has happened, the floodgates are open, and we can hope (while also advocating, protesting, attending council sessions, etc.) that 2024 will bring more development on this issue locally."

Environmental history shows us that policy action leads to impact, catalyzing long-term shifts in systems and processes. Formalizing municipal commitments through ordinances assures that progress cannot easily be undone later. This is especially important in local government where decisions greatly impact residents' everyday lives. There are two key initiatives to advocate for in 2024 from an environmental policy lens: the creation of the city's first Climate Action Plan and the use of its street safety study to jumpstart work on a Green and Complete Streets Ordinance.

City of Erie Climate Action Plan:

Climate Action Plans are the most common tool for local governments to outline strategic environmental goals and prioritize corresponding policies and programs. Erie joined over 440 municipalities in Pennsylvania to initiate a climate action plan. In his January "State of the City" column, Mayor Schember briefly mentioned a $10,000 Partners for Places Mini Grant awarded to the city by the Funder's Network to "set an agenda for Erie's sustainable future focused on the intersection of climate action, racial justice, and equity." Initially received in May 2022, but postponed by other efforts, staff turnover, and consultant hiring delays, the city is moving forward with the project's first phase this spring. PennFuture advocated for municipalities in the Lake Erie Watershed to engage in climate action planning, and we are serving on this project's advisory committee.

Here's what you can do:

In Phase 1, community-based organizations are set to receive support and compensation for holding public input sessions about Erie's environmental challenges. Receiving feedback from those most impacted by these challenges, including young people, communities of color, and New Americans, is essential for shaping and prioritizing the city's actions. Attend one or more community input sessions planned for later this year, and encourage others to join you. More participation from the community will encourage elected officials to pursue funding for a second phase. A second phase is essential for a full plan outlining the partnerships and additional capacity needed to implement prioritized action strategies.

Green & Complete Streets Ordinance:

A Green & Complete Streets Ordinance is another municipal tool to address climate issues by incentivizing less fossil-fuel-intensive forms of transportation — walking, biking, and public transit.

As of 2021, over 1,300 US municipalities adopted Complete Streets policies. Passing such an ordinance is seemingly the city's only published environmental legislative commitment, appearing as a recommendation in its 2021 Active Erie Transportation Plan. 2024 is the ideal time to build momentum for ordinance passage.

Currently, Erie is not a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly city, but it has the formula to become one. Top goals for Complete Streets ordinances are improving road safety for non-motorist users and consistently including their needs in street improvement projects, which will also encourage healthier outdoor habits that will reduce vehicle use and associated emissions, making Complete Street policies climate-relevant.

More Benefits of a Complete Streets Ordinance:

One of the National Complete Streets Coalition's 10 elements of a strong Complete Streets policy is defining and prioritizing investment in underserved communities. In historically redlined communities like Erie, communities of color often face lower vehicle ownership rates coupled with a lack of investment in infrastructure for walkers, cyclists, and public transit users. The well-maintained roads are often meant to divert traffic through these areas and act as barriers for residents to access services, as seen with Erie's Bayfront Connector. Proximity to these busy arterials elevates exposure to air pollutants from vehicle exhaust and its long-term, negative health impacts.

Robust Complete Streets policies also consider trees and green water infrastructure essential to inclusive roadways. This urban greening beautifies neighborhoods and builds community resilience to climate change and extreme weather. Trees and plants cool urban heat islands and reduce toxic runoff into Lake Erie during heavy rain. As a Great Lakes community, the passage of a Green and Complete Streets Ordinance is more inclusive of our role as water stewards.

Where the City of Erie left off:

2024 is the ideal time for the mayor and city council to chart a course toward passage.

Late last year, the city requested proposals from consultants to prepare a Comprehensive Transportation Safety Action Plan due to rising vehicle crash statistics. A Safe Streets for All Steering Committee will be created to inform the plan. If the city is already convening these stakeholders to discuss transportation safety, they are also well-positioned to advise on and create momentum for passing a Green and Complete Streets Ordinance.

Additionally, the Erie Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), our regional transportation planning board, is setting aside $7,000 annually for Complete Streets ordinance development per new federal funding requirements. This year, the city should collaborate with Erie MPO to incorporate this $7,000 annual funding stream and other funding streams into the city's roadmap for Green and Complete Streets ordinance passage.

Here's what you can do:

Passage of a strong Green and Complete Streets Ordinance promises clarity, transparency, and formality for decision-making processes that the city and residents can rely on. However, community members play an important role in ensuring a strong ordinance is ultimately passed. If safe, inclusive, and climate-resilient streets matter to you, attend city council meetings to tell the mayor and council that you want action toward a Green and Complete Streets Ordinance. Consider emailing or calling these elected officials to voice your opinion too. As we strive for a Green and Complete Streets ordinance, participating in the planning of individual projects, like the Safety Action Plan and 12th Street Reimagined study, is critical. If you can access special meetings on these topics, attend and voice your concerns. Advocating for green and inclusive designs for ongoing projects will only strengthen the case for ordinance passage.

The City of Erie is taking significant measures within its jurisdiction to combat climate change, but to bring about a substantial impact, we need policy changes. This year, our local leaders have two crucial opportunities to address climate change's overarching and intersectional challenges. Local experts are tackling housing, transportation, land use, and more. We need more voices to ensure Erie's first Climate Action Plan and a strong Green and Complete Streets ordinance make it over the finish line.

Jenny Tompkins is the Erie-based campaign manager for clean water advocacy at PennFuture, a statewide environmental organization with five offices across Pennsylvania. She can be reached at tompkins@pennfuture.org.