The City of Boston is the economic engine for our region. In 2007, Mayor Tom Menino recognized both the threats and the opportunities that climate change poses for the City and our region. The City of Boston developed its initial climate action plan that year, and updated it in 2011.

The threat is visibly demonstrated in an image showing the large areas of Boston that would have been under 2 – 4 feet of water had Superstorm Sandy hit at high tide. Those are levels expected to occur in Boston by mid-century.

Climate action will also bring significant economic benefits to Boston. Energy efficiency and behavior change can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, transportation, and solid waste-and produce net savings of over $2 billion by 2020 through lower energy bills. Demand for energy-and climate-related services will create thousands of jobs. And taking the necessary steps to prepare for climate-related change will ensure that Boston’s economic and social infrastructure remains strong.

Join us for a Green Needham meeting on May 20th as we welcome Brian Swett, Chief of Environment and Energy for the City of Boston, to Needham.

Brian will take us through Boston’s comprehensive climate action plan, addressing mitigation, adaptation, community engagement and social equity. He’ll talk about how responding to climate change is driving innovation, economic opportunity and economic growth for Boston and our region.

Through this event, Green Needham hopes to spark conversation and collaboration amongst local metro-west communities as we explore what climate change means to us—and how we can respond in ways that transform climate threats into opportunities for strengthening our local communities.