By Sarah Job, Malden Catholic High School student
On December 21, 2022, Massachusetts’ Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs adopted a statewide greenhouse gas emissions limit for 2050. Per this newly established limit, the city of Malden just released the final version of its Climate Action Plan on September 17, 2024.
Carey McDonald, Councilor-at-Large, describes Malden’s climate action plan as “the city’s first comprehensive, city-wide plan for addressing the threats of climate change in our community.”
“The CAP has two goals: climate mitigation, which is reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and doing our part to protect the planet; and climate resilience, which protects our community from hotter temperatures, worsening storms, and rising sea levels,” McDonald states. Malden’s initiative to combat climate change is pivotal in addressing and rectifying the global climate crisis on a local level.
“The plan is more than achievable,” said Mayor Gary Christenson, “It provides us with the strategic roadmap we need for climate action.”
A Path to Net-Zero Emissions
When taking a look around, the strides Malden has taken since 2017, when it became designated a Green Community, are not to go unnoticed. From the Malden Public Schools’ composting program, to the Malden Community Electricity program, the Transit Action Plan, the Malden Warming Center, Bluebike stations, Hazardous Waste Collection Days, and so much more, Malden officials have not shied away from proving to its citizens that climate action is an issue they take seriously.
As for the years to come, the Climate Action Plan (CAP) outlines several key initiatives in meeting its net zero goals. For starters, the plan invokes a combination of transitioning to clean energy sources and ensuring equitable access to affordable renewable energy options for all residents to reach its goals of net zero in energy and buildings.
Secondly, when looking to mitigate heat and flooding impacts, CAP drafters think it best to focus on fostering neighborhoods with more green spaces and healthier tree canopies that will protect citizens from heat, flooding, and extreme weather. This pairs with Malden’s aim to enhance community resilience by empowering the community with knowledge, resources, and connections to better prepare for, withstand, and cope with climate challenges. Additionally, the city plans to accelerate sustainable transportation by prioritizing walking, biking, and public transit while transitioning to electric vehicles and expanding access to alternative transportation options. Lastly, through strengthening community partnerships, transparency, and accountability in city leadership, Malden has made “Championing Good Governance” a top priority.
Implementation Strategies for Championing Good Governance
Championing good governance is Goal #1 of Malden’s Climate Action Plan. In achieving this ambitious goal, the city has begun working with the racial equity audit team to develop a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan for the city. However, to properly champion good governance, one must question their government officials so when asked, “What is the most crucial step you and your fellow government officials must take to establish further trust and a sense of transparency between the government of Malden and its citizens?” Mayor Gary Christenson responded, “Keeping up what we’re doing, continuing to create plans like this, and following through.”
Showcasing the city’s plan to stay strong in its efforts despite what could be unforeseen turbulence along the way, Councilor-at-Large Carey McDonald also reports “The foundation of the CAP is environmental justice, our commitment to center those parts of our community most at risk, neighborhoods who are lower income, BIPOC, and with higher numbers of immigrants.” These objectives will help lead Malden down the path of health, safety, and resilience.
What’s Next, and How You Can Help
Like most things, the Climate Action plan isn’t perfect. The city’s plan to address the climate has forecasted many issues. For one, in many cases, there may be blockers to green retrofits in some municipal building upgrades. This means that there may be obstacles preventing the implementation of environmentally-friendly improvements in certain city-owned buildings. Furthermore, there are still many vehicles without any electrical alternatives, hindering the city’s goal of sustainable transportation.
Aside from logistical blockades, there are financial considerations, with the workload being contingent on successfully securing the necessary funding. When asked, “What happens if the city cannot receive adequate funding for the goals outlined in the plan?” Gary Christenson replied, “There have been times where we were turned away prior to drafting this plan because granters didn’t see us having this plan, but I believe this plan will now set us up for success in procuring these grants.”
The Mayor of Malden also admitted that it would be tough to address the cost efficiency of greener living in low-income homes, but with officials determined to create a more accessible Malden, it is the hope that financial barriers will not remain so prevalent.
After learning of the city’s plan to provide its citizens with a better Malden, you may wonder, “How can I help?” The Climate Action Plan conveniently provides its readers with multiple “Take Climate Action Today!” subsections detailing just that. These sections include suggestions spanning participation in local organizations focused on climate action to making efforts to live a greener lifestyle. One of the best ways anyone could help is to request a tree through the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Tree planting not only helps cool the city but also contributes to Malden’s overall air quality. The best part is that all costs are covered for target areas within Malden!
Additionally, it is essential that community members prioritize being active democratic participants. If you wish to see real change, you must register to vote! Moreover, with the presidential election coming up, there is no telling what legislation may aid or hinder Malden’s plans, which only further capitalizes the need for those who can go out and vote in the best interest of their community in both city and presidential elections. There are also many more ways to help outlined in the climate action plan.
Looking Ahead
“This plan is for the next generation,” states Councilor McDonald.
With the release of Malden’s Climate Action Plan, local citizens are able to obtain Malden’s comprehensive plans for its environmental future and what it will need from its citizens to achieve those goals. These plans, of course, as ordained by Massachusetts’ greenhouse gas emissions limit, are not limited to Malden. If you do not live in Malden, we encourage you to research what your community is doing in response to Massachusetts’ mandate. Every city, along with its citizens, must do its part in the effort to combat climate change. No plan is without its limitations, but the climate action plan is set on providing its city and citizens with much-needed change.
This story was collaboratively prepared by UMA’s summer interns from Malden Catholic High School. It was written by Sarah Job and edited (first draft) by Molly Tittemore prior to the final edits by the editorial staff of Neighborhood View.
Video Overview of the Climate Action Plan
The video below was professionally produced by Bilal Sa’ed in collaboration with Urban Media Arts and the City of Malden.
A Sidebar Podcast
In looking to provide a more nuanced look and perspective on this topic, Malden Catholic high school interns – Sarah Job, Joyce Kimani, and Molly Tittemore – created a podcast episode for the UMA series “Culture Matters in Malden.” They interviewed fellow student Ayuska Tamang on her perspective as a youth migrant student living in Malden. The episode is titled “Climate Change: Migrant Equity” and can be found at the link below.
Urban Media Arts has compiled a multimedia web page of information about the city’s Climate Action Plan with media produced by UMA participants and collaborators. Visit that page here.
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