This is a follow-up note of thanks for your participation in the Leon County Climate Action Summit last March 28 at the Leon County Civic Center, and an update on what comes next. The support we saw for the Summit was a clear signal of our commitment to the environment and to the defense of our way of life.

In that regard, I want you to know that Leon County's commitment to real, positive action did not end with the Summit. To coordinate our response to the rapidly changing realities of climate change and skyrocketing energy costs, the Board of County Commissioners has formed a team of top administrative professionals to develop a Climate Protection Action Plan for Leon County's government operations. Their report on the next climate action milestone will be at our next meeting on May 27, when the Board of County Commissioners will vote on the plan.

The proposed plan will include our forecast of Leon County government's energy consumption rates and recommended bold reduction targets. The plan being considered by your commissioners will outline concrete measures to reduce Leon County's energy consumption, in accordance with the ICLEI Cities for Climate Protection resolution, with our baseline greenhouse gas emissions representing the threshold for measuring our success.  

I invite you to participate in this historic initiative by congratulating commissioners for their courage and foresight thus far -- either in person at the meeting next week, or by email or phone. Let them know you appreciate and support their enlightened leadership on conservation and climate protection in our community.

This is a BIG moment for Leon County, and I hope you'll be a part of it.