Columbus to take part in summer study about greenhouse gas emissions
The City of Columbus will spend the summer collecting information about local government operations greenhouse gas emissions as one of 13 communities selected to be a part of Indiana Universitys first Resilience Cohort.
The city’s office of community development explains that findings will be used to help Columbus employees identify greenhouse gas reduction strategies and begin work on the creation of an action plan to reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency and improve air quality. Data will also be collected concerning community-wide greenhouse gas emissions.
The City of Columbus is known for being innovative and forward thinking. We want to address greenhouse gas emissions, create efficiencies in local government, and encourage the same in our community. Building a sustainable community today will benefit current residents and create an environment that will attract and benefit future residents, said Mayor Jim Lienhoop.
The Resilience Cohort was established by the Environmental Resilience Institute, an Indiana University Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge initiative. The Cohort is made up of 13 Indiana cities, towns and counties that will complete their inventories this summer.
We are delighted that these 13 Indiana communities have chosen to take a critical early step on the path to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing air quality, said Ellen Ketterson, Director of IUs Environmental Resilience Institute. The findings from these greenhouse gas inventories will provide a roadmap for local officials to address emissions produced in their own backyards, improve public health, and strengthen the resilience of Hoosier communities.
Other Resilience Cohort participants include Bloomington, Carmel, Delaware County / Muncie, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Greencastle, Goshen, Michigan City, Oldenburg, Richmond and West Lafayette.