| Local Policy Description: | Expand Climate Change Outreach and Education Program
Brattleboro should partner with existing environmental education programs such as that at the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center to develop and implement an education program on climate change to be incorporated into the public school curriculum. This curriculum will be catered to different age groups and could be a useful tool for general outreach about the Brattleboro Climate Change program. Programs in school could incorporate hands-on learning projects such as monitoring light usage in school or having students monitor automobile usage at home. The director of the program could also pursue grant-writing and utilizing funding opportunities such as the Human-I-Tees and Schools Go Green grants that are available for environmentally oriented projects. Building outreach and awareness of climate change can also extend beyond the classroom. In this respect, resources that discuss specific climate change issues with a focus on positive solutions could be compiled for all Brattleboro residents. This may include inserts in tax bills, public displays, tabling at local events, continuous public forums, press coverage, and citizen participation in the climate change protection process. Such outreach activities are instrumental in generating interest in Brattleboro's involvement with climate change efforts. The administration of such a program could become the responsibility of the Energy Efficiency Coordinator, should Brattleboro create this position.
Establish Energy Efficiency/ Community Environmental Coordinator Position (Proposed)
One way to ensure the completion of the five milestones of the Brattleboro Climate Change Protection Campaign would be to hire a full or part-time Energy Efficiency/ Environmental Coordinator. This person would assume direct responsibility for measures such as the 10% Challenge Program and the Outreach and Education Program, and would serve as an organizer and catalyst for the implementation of other measures. The individual would be charged with maintaining the emissions inventory on climate change software so that the town can measure its progress towards the emissions reduction target, and could also assume responsibilities not directly related to the climate change campaign, such as assisting with other planning duties.
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