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Climate Smart Bainbridge
Bainbridge Island has big climate action goals and we need your help! We’re working to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25% by 2025, and 90% by 2045, compared to 2014.
Roughly 40% of U.S. GHG emissions come from five basic household activities: transportation choices, electricity use, heating, food choices, and waste. The great news is there are lots of ways you can take action to protect our environment, save money, and improve your health and the comfort of your home.
The Climate Smart Challenge makes it easy and fun to reduce your GHG emissions. You select the actions specific to your journey and lifestyle, track your progress, and watch your carbon footprint decline as you make changes at home. You can collaborate with your neighbors, share ideas and resources, and work towards your goals together.
Watch a short presentation on how the Climate Smart Challenge works, and learn about actions taken in support of our 2020 Climate Action Plan, in the video below. Together we can create a Climate Smart Bainbridge!
Join the Bainbridge Island Climate Smart Challenge today!
Stop by our last Climate Smart Bainbridge table of the season this Saturday, October 1st at the Farmer's Market. City staff will be available from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm to talk about the Climate Smart Challenge - including new climate action lesson plans and a new Climate Smart Leader recognition program - and the new pledge to reduce single-use plastic waste.
The City’s Climate Smart Challenge has free lesson plans and activities to help students measure carbon footprints, identify concrete climate solutions, and address climate anxiety. Lesson plans with short videos and slide decks for grades 4-6 and grades 7-12 are available below.
- Lesson Plan Outline for Grades 7-12: includes a 40-minute and 60-minute "What is Your Carbon Footprint?" activity and a 45-minute "Climate Solutions Challenge" activity.
- Lesson Plan Outline for Grades 4-6
*Please right click to open documents in a separate tab*
Kids can also download and print these coloring sheets. Post your artwork in a window to show you have a Climate Smart home!
If you have questions about the lesson plans or need more information, please contact Hannah Ljunggren, Climate Action Outreach Coordinator, at hljunggren@bainbridgewa.gov.
The Climate Smart Teams Program provides a fun and impactful way to learn about actions to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare your homes and families for the impacts of climate change. The Teams program helps you take action, get more connected with your neighbors, and build a more resilient and sustainable Bainbridge Island.
The Teams Program includes a series of meeting agendas that focus on climate and sustainability solutions, emergency preparedness and resilience. You can form a team with neighbors, friends, church members, PTO members, classmates, coworkers - anyone you like! The Teams program materials include short videos, guided discussion questions and a celebration to recognize the impact of team members who complete actions in the Climate Smart Challenge.
You can access materials for the Teams program using the links below or by contacting Hannah Ljunggren, Climate Action Outreach Coordinator, at hljunggren@bainbridgewa.gov or 206-780-8594.
Read the Team Leader Guide (PDF)
Learn how to form a team (Video)
Meeting Topics
Click on the links below to review the agendas for facilitated discussions related to the Climate Smart Bainbridge Team program.
- Climate Smart Bainbridge Teams Introduction (PDF)
- Climate & Sustainability - Home Energy (PDF)
- Climate & Sustainability - Transportation (PDF)
- Climate & Sustainability - Food & Waste (PDF)
- Climate & Sustainability - Water (PDF)
- Emergency Preparedness - Build Your Kit (PDF)
- Emergency Preparedness - Make a Plan (PDF)
- Community Resilience (PDF)
- Community Action & Celebration (PDF)
Do you know someone who's going above and beyond as a climate action leader? Nominate them as a Climate Smart Leader!
The Climate Smart Leaders program celebrates and promotes individuals and groups that are active in the Climate Smart Challenge and taking the lead on climate action in our community. Climate Smart Leaders help to inspire others in the community to join the Challenge - and perhaps become Climate Smart Leaders themselves!
Climate Smart Leaders have:
- Earned at least 5,000 points in the Climate Smart Challenge
- Participated in the Challenge Teams Program
- Completed one or more of the "Big Actions" in the Challenge
- Taken other actions to lead on climate action in our community
Leaders can be nominated by themselves or others. If you believe that you or someone you know is a Climate Smart Leader, please fill out this short nomination form. If selected, leaders will receive recognition via social media.
Climate Smart Leaders in the Community
Please help us celebrate our first Climate Smart Leader, Congregation Kol Shalom! They recently received recognition as a "Certified Cool Congregation" for their efforts to replace an old fuel-oil boiler with efficient electric heat pumps. These efforts reduced their energy consumption by 60%, preventing 9.6 tons of carbon emissions annually. Congratulations to Congregation Kol Shalom!
For more information, please contact Hannah Ljunggren, Climate Action Outreach Coordinator, at hljunggren@bainbridgewa.gov.