Implement the Environmental Sustainability Plan
A healthy and vital community is environmentally and economically sustainable. Promoting sustainability also enhances our quality of life and builds the foundation for a strong and viable future for the community.
Among the many lessons of the Carvana debacle is the fact that energy conservation and environmental sustainability goals are also sound economic policy, just as it is for preserving and expanding housing across the economic spectrum. Our quality of life improves as well when we can shop in walking distance, enjoy the shade of trees and restore our natural land.
As Trustee, I will:
Implement the Skokie Environmental Sustainability Plan. Adopted in 2022, this plan rightly takes a holistic multi-sector approach to “reducing community-wide Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by 35% below 2020 levels by 2030, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.” The Village has yet to complete identified Phase 1 actions on specific implementation measures, particularly around determining housing needs as they relate to energy efficiency, affordability, and remote work options, a Village Facilities Resilience Assessment and Implementation Plan, and community education.
Ensure a clean environment. Ensure that the Village’s operations, including its vehicles, promote clean air, water and the natural environment.
Restore more natural environment. Restore as much paved vacant Village-owned land, such as parking lots, as possible to its natural state.
Minimize car dependence. Adopt a Transit-Oriented Development plan that includes affordable housing and builds in incentives that minimize car dependence and promote walkability and bicycling. I co-wrote a guidebook, Quality of Life, (e)Quality of Place on this very topic.