By Sofia Williams, News Editor
And Joe Farlo, Staff Writer
The City of Manhattan Beach earned the 2021 Leadership Award in Climate Adaptation on Oct. 20 for its Climate Ready MB Program.
The accolade, which is granted by the Institute for Local Government, is one of 23 leadership and innovation awards distributed to cities throughout California. The award aims to recognize Manhattan Beach’s dedication to protecting its coastline and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are honored to receive the award for the Climate Ready Program,” Manhattan Beach Mayor Hildy Stern said in a statement. “The City’s Environmental Sustainability Division strives to create a healthy, sustainable, and resilient city while furthering the city’s long history of environmental leadership, policy, and stewardship.”
Climate Ready MB includes the completion of a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment, Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan, and a Climate Adaptation Plan, as well as updating the Local Coastal Land-Use Plan, Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, and General Plan. These plans are meant to help prepare the city for events related to climate change, such as a rise in sea levels, heavy precipitation, and coastal erosion.
“The Institute for Local Government applauds the comprehensive nature of the Climate Ready MB Program,” said Erica L. Manuel, CEO of the Institute for Local Government.
The Program also includes four workshops that took place from February to June of 2021. Over 150 individuals participated in these workshops, which boasted topics such as sea level rise, coastal adaptation, climate action and climate adaptation.
Manhattan Beach has formed partnerships with The Bay Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors to increase protection and maintenance of the city’s coast. The Climate Ready MB program was sponsored in part by a grant from the California Coastal Commission.
“The Bay Foundation’s mission is to improve water quality, conserve and rehabilitate natural resources, and protect the Bay’s benefits and values,” reads the foundation’s objective.
Manhattan Beach has committed to upholding state requirements for renewable energy, waste diversion, and climate adaptation and is part of the Compact of Mayors aiming to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement as well as the Clean Power Alliance.
“Local and state governments have the ability to make a change that individual citizens do not have the power to do. They have the funding and authority to implement large-scale climate change acts that can make tremendous differences for our planet,” senior and Vice President of For The Greener Good Club Jordan McAvin said.
An additional facet of the Climate Ready MB program is Look Ahead MB, a virtual reality tour of Bruce’s Beach, the Manhattan Beach Pier, and El Porto that demonstrates the potential effects of future sea level rise as a result of climate change.
“This award recognizes the City’s dedication to protecting the valuable coastline we all cherish and have been entrusted with. The City’s Environmental Sustainability Division strives to create a healthy, sustainable, and resilient city while furthering the City’s long history of environmental leadership, policy, and stewardship,” Stern said in a statement.
According to Grades of Green advisor Robyn Murphy, it is increasingly important for governments at every level to take action as climate change worsens.
“It is important for governments to take actions right now to decrease our emissions before the impacts of these changes are felt,” Murphy said.
Leave a Reply