Welcome Climate and Environment Council’s inagural members!

InCollaboration and Leadership, NewsByKaren Clawson

Congratulations and welcome to the new slate of council members selected for the Climate and Environment Council (CEC)! The CEC is a new, collaborative, action-oriented council that will guide the implementation of the Kansas City Regional Climate Action Plan. This council, jointly supported by MARC and Climate Action KC, implements Goal 1 in the Collaboration & Leadership section of the Plan.

The new members—35 in total—were selected among a long list of qualified applicants from all over the region and collectively represent a diversity of viewpoints, expertise, and professional and lived experience. “There is remarkable energy throughout the region to make our communities healthier and more resilient. The diversity represented on this Council reflects our collective ambition to make a meaningful difference in all parts of the community. I’m thrilled that this talented group of people will help guide the implementation of our climate action plan in creative and collaborative ways,” said Tom Jacobs, MARC Director of Environmental Programs.

To move implementation of the Kansas City Regional Climate Action Plan forward, the CEC will set a broad agenda on climate resilience and sustainability. The council’s work will focus on the following core functions to carry out this purpose.

Strategy: Develop near-term regional climate action work plans.
Coordination: Prioritize, support and coordinate specific policy, technical and action plans among various organizations and committees.
Alignment: Align planning and existing initiatives with funding opportunities.
Tracking: Develop and track metrics that measure progress toward climate resilience and sustainability goals.
Action: Conceptualize and bring energy to new initiatives and capacities.

The CEC will work across a broad set of issues including energy, buildings, transportation, water, green infrastructure, food, health, innovation, finance, education and engagement.

A first meeting of the council will focus on getting to know one another and setting ground rules and guiding principles. A second meeting will center on developing a council-driven workplan that will organize action over the next two years. The council will meet every other month thereafter. CEC activity and progress will be periodically shared on the Plan’s website and through the Climate Action Newsletter.

Members

Alexis Gatson | Resident, Kansas City, Mo.
Amanda Odell | Black and Veatch
Andy Savastino | Office of Environmental Quality, Kansas City, Mo.
Lara Isch  | Office of Environmental Quality, Kansas City, Mo. (alternate)
Angelica Duckworth  | LivZero, LLC
Arthur C. Smith | Liberty Public Schools
Ashley Eusey | Hoefer Welker
Brien Darby  | Cultivate KC
Chelsee Newkirk  |  City of Overland Park, Ks.
Christina Engemann  | Spire
Damien Boley (Co-chair)  | Smithville, Mo./ MARC Board of Directors
Dana Knapp  | ArtsKC
David Johnson | Resident, Kansas City, Mo.
Emily Randel  | City of Mission, Ks.
Gayle Bergman  | Unified Government Public Health Dept. – Air Quality
Gloria M. Fisher   | Westside Housing Organization
Ian Fannin-Hughes   | Johnson County Stormwater Management
Jackson Ward | Johnson County Dept. of Health & Environment