Bainbridge Island’s Climate Change Advisory Committee is developing the island’s first-ever Climate Action Plan and is seeking community input.

Michael Cox, co-chair of the committee, said the purpose of the action plan is to help reduce Bainbridge’s greenhouse gas emissions and help prepare residents, businesses, and the city services for a changing climate.

“The plan will establish a clear road map of priority actions and projects that makes sense for Bainbridge Island,” Cox noted.

The committee will host two workshops in early December as work on the plan progresses.

“The purpose of the two workshops is to receive input from the community on what actions they believe we should take to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and prepare our island for climate change,” Cox explained.

The first workshop is scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 7 at Bainbridge Island City Hall.

The second is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 in the library at Bainbridge High School.

Each workshop will include an overview of observed and projected climate impacts for Bainbridge Island, including sea level rise and changing rainfall patterns, as well as results from an island-wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory commissioned by the city. The results of the study will be presented to the city council at its study session on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

The bulk of the upcoming workshops will center on breakout sessions to gather ideas and input on the main focus areas of the Climate Action Plan: energy supply, transportation, land use, buildings, solid waste, forests, and shorelines.

Organizers said results from the workshops will be used to inform the Climate Action Plan and shape actions and policies for reducing greenhouse gases and adapting to climate change on Bainbridge.

For more information, visit the city’s Climate Change Advisory Committee webpage: https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/922/Climate-Change-Advisory-Committee.