FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2023
MEDIA CONTACTS: Gordon Tepper, Rebecca Cheng and Michael Anderson | (516) 869-7794
Brian Devine | (516) 869-2475
North Hempstead Takes Temperature on Climate Change
North Hempstead, NY – In June 2022, the North Hempstead Town Board and its Climate Smart Communities Task Force distributed a survey to identify key issues, perceptions, concerns, and priorities with respect to climate change in the Town. Nearly 500 responses were collected and analyzed. The results are significant for benchmarking how the Town can progress in its climate action planning.
“It is always important to check in with residents to ensure that their priorities match ours,” Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said. “Results from the survey confirm that our residents are worried about the impacts of climate change and want to get involved with actions the Town is planning to reduce emissions and help us adapt and thrive in a changing environment.”
Key findings of the survey showed:
? 84% of respondents feel climate change is an urgent problem we need to prepare for.
? Most respondents have already felt unsafe from extreme storms (73%) and loss of power (72%).
? Most are concerned for the impacts of climate change (74%) over the next 5 years, and even more so (84%) for the next generation.
? The biggest perceived barriers for progress reported are resistance to change (52%) and politics (67%).
? 83% of respondents stated they want to be part of the solution. They are interested in engaging in a wide variety of solutions such as reducing waste and increasing recycling/composting, sustainable landscaping, tree protection and planting, renewable energy, creating a walkable/bikeable transit-oriented community, electric vehicles, green infrastructure, and resiliency measures.
“It is clear that this is an urgent, time sensitive issue that the community recognizes,” stated Council Member Mariann Dalimonte. “The Town will be embarking on new initiatives to help our environment and participating in climate actions and projects to help us become a Climate Smart Community. I am very proud of efforts I am leading, including introducing a bike share program in Port Washington to reduce car dependency and adding oysters to our waterways to improve our water quality.”
“The information gathered from the survey enables us to prioritize certain climate smart projects based on community interest,” stated Council Member Veronica Lurvey. “For example, the findings showed increased interest in reducing the greenhouse gases emitted by landfills through activities such as composting. I am very interested in a municipal compost program that will make composting more accessible to our residents.”
The Town’s Climate Smart Community Task Force feels the survey findings represent the start of the transition toward sustainable lifestyles. The survey will be redistributed every five years to measure how residents feel the Town is progressing on reducing fears and concerns related to climate change.
Residents can access the full analysis of the 2022 Climate Survey along with tools and resources to mitigate climate change at NorthHempsteadNY.gov/ClimateAction
