Join your fellow Somervillians in addressing our city’s impact on climate change. At upcoming community meetings, the City of Somerville’s Somerville Climate Forward initiative will take a deeper look at the studies and data that we’ll be using to develop a citywide plan climate change. The initiative, led by the Office of Sustainability and Environment, is working toward setting goals for both reducing the city’s carbon footprint as well as preparing for the local impacts of climate change. Residents wanting to learn more about Somerville Climate Forward and get involved in the planning process are encouraged to attend.

On Wednesday, August 16, OSE staff will review the City’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report as well as the Carbon Neutrality Pathways Assessment. Both contain informative data on the city’s current greenhouse gas emissions and more. Then on Monday, August 21, the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment will be discussed, which examines projected climate impacts for the city. There will be time for a Q&A session at each meeting. Both the August 16, as well as the August 21, meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.

The Office of Sustainability and Environment also encourages residents, whether they are able to attend any of the meetings or not, to have a hand in shaping the climate change plan by taking the Somerville Climate Forward survey. The survey, along with additional information about Somerville Climate Forward and other environmental initiatives can be found at www.somervillema.gov/sustainaville.

Individuals with disbailities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.

— City of Somerville