The irreversible consequences of climate change are knocking on District 8’s door. Even though Chattanooga is one of the South’s most beautiful cities, we’ve got work to do. Litter, illegal dumping, and crumbling infrastructure are easy to find in District 8. It’s time for District 8 to lead by example and do our part to keep our corner of the planet healthy. Here’s how we’re going to do it:
Begin regular community cleanups and education. We’ll partner with organizations like Sunrise Chatt, Greensteps, Public Works, and Healing Gardens CHA to educate community members on waste reduction, composting, and recycling, while we collaborate and clean our district. District 8 is ready to lead by example when it comes to being good stewards of our natural resources. With organization and education, we’ll clean and revitalize our district.
Invest in infrastructure and create green jobs. Climate action and economic gains aren’t mutually exclusive. With creative thinking, the ongoing climate crisis can be transformed into a labor revolution, giving good-paying, stable work to communities in need. City-led climate action could support and create jobs; we need a robust workforce to help us reduce carbon emissions, decarbonize buildings, transform public transportation, install and maintain solar fields, and so much more. The climate crisis is our opportunity to train skilled workers from disadvantaged communities so they can secure high-wage, environmentally responsible careers.
Introduce a robust environmental public policy. The people are their most powerful when they band together. District 8 is full of climate activists and organizations ready to unite our community and get involved. Together, we will work to draft short and long-term goals for District 8, pushing the city toward carbon neutrality, zero waste, and stronger environmental protections.
Urbanization brings innovation and collaboration, but it often weakens our relationship to the land. Unfortunately, the clock is ticking. Our efforts in District 8 can’t stop climate change on a global scale, but we can create a culture focused on stewarding the land correctly, in hopes that the generation after us is more prepared than ever to fight climate change.
If you’re convinced we ought to bloom where we’re planted, and the fight for the well-being of the planet begins at home, vote for Marie Mott for city council on Aug. 4.
Marie Mott