How Do Drawdown Georgia Solutions Inform Decatur?

Drawdown Georgia has been working on an analysis of the causes and solutions to climate change in Georgia for the past year. A number of Decatur residents, as well as city commissioners have looked forward to the results. Last week Drawdown Georgia previewed 20 solutions for our state!

 The question is, how do these solutions inform our choices and programs for an energy/climate plan in Decatur? All In For Decatur 100 participated in the week-long program and has prepared this simple look at which solutions make the most sense for Decatur.

 The easiest way is to take a look at the single diagram Drawdown Georgia put forth covering six areas: 1) Electricity, 2) Transportation, 3) Food and Agriculture, 4) Buildings and Materials and 5) Land sinks. That’s five you say. They sixth is called Beyond Carbon and focuses on how to create a fair, and equitable transition. It takes into consideration the economy, equity, public health and the environment. In other words, these solutions don’t work unless they consider all Georgia’s citizens.

 Looking at the 20 solution model, there are a number of solutions that aren’t relevant to Decatur and a number that rise to the top. For example, coastal wetland preservation isn’t something that applies to Decatur. Neither is co-generation of energy because we don’t have large manufacturing plants in Decatur. On the other hand, solutions like rooftop solar, electric vehicles and building efficiency are obvious choices because we know that over half our energy consumption is in these categories.

 There are secondary solutions that the city might pursue such as recycling and composting. All In For Decatur 100 recommends a triage approach. Let’s focus where we have the biggest impacts first and then move over time to other solutions. And let’s make sure we make this a just transition by providing job local opportunities and protecting our city’s most vulnerable.

 Take a look at the diagram above for a quick glance summary. Let it inform your comments on the 2030 virtual surveys here. Or delve deeper into the Drawdown Georgia research.