Last Stand has written Rep. Carlos Curbelo supporting his stand on the United States participation in the Paris Climate Agreement:
I am writing to encourage you to continue to oppose the administration’s policies that ignore the facts relating to climate change. I represent the nonprofit organization Last Stand, a group that has been formed to promote, preserve and protect the quality of life in Key West, the Florida Keys and their environs, with a particular emphasis on the environment.
We agree with the analysis that forecasts the jobs and economic impact of moving towards renewable solar and wind energy will not only be good for the environment, but will also exceed the economic impact of efforts directed by the president to rely more heavily on coal and fossil fuels. We look for your leadership to create a bipartisan plan that supports economically viable, private and public solutions to mitigate the impacts and reduce the sources of climate change.
The Florida Keys will be among the first areas in the U.S. to experience the impact of climate change through rising sea levels and more severe storm events. Thanks for taking a stand to protect your constituents and to do what is right for the planet.
For the Last Stand Board
/s/ Mark E. Songer, President
The following was submitted to Key West Citizen in response to a July 2nd editorial regarding the KW City Commission’s actions to adopt the Paris Climate Agreement:
Key West’s mayor and commissioners are empowered to set the strategic direction for the city. That’s why Last Stand supports resolutions, such as the recent adoption of the Paris Climate Accord, that guide city staff on priorities that have a daily impact on residents’ quality of life. Adopting the Paris agreement requires the city to measure and report on progress on a number of initiatives. That creates accountability for action.
To a casual observer, it may seem that the city does nothing after adopting resolutions. However, what we see is slow but steady progress, encouraged by forward-thinking leaders.
Mayor Morgan McPherson established the Sustainability Advisory Board to give recommendations on how Key West could mitigate impacts on the environment and adapt to changes that threaten our ability to live at sea level. The city had already been taking steps on the path to sustainability by starting curbside recycling in 1990 and hiring the first Bike-Pedestrian Coordinator in 1999.
Over the past 10 years, the city has celebrated multiple milestones on the path to resiliency: installing LED street lighting, obtaining clean marina certifications for both city marinas, encouraging sustainability in the comprehensive plan and code to require green certification and cisterns for new buildings and allow elevation of existing buildings to get out of flood zones. The initial phases of the solid waste master plan have been implemented, and commercial recycling is poised to increase significantly over the coming year. The city is leading by example with the new City Hall’s Platinum LEED certification.
These accomplishments and more have resulted in a city that functions more efficiently, operates at lower cost and effectively manages risk and its physical assets.
Can we do more, and do it more quickly? That depends on leadership on the commission and support of residents who let their representatives know what priorities are most important. Last Stand agrees that adopting the Paris Climate Accord was important for setting direction and priorities for city staff and a timely step towards a better future.