HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-22-20 Public Comment - M. Eggers - In support of the Bozeman Climate PlanFrom:Eggers, Margaret
To:Agenda
Subject:In support of the Bozeman Climate Plan
Date:Tuesday, December 22, 2020 12:11:09 PM
Dear Mayor Andrus, Commissioners, Natalie Meyer and Jon Henderson,
Congratulations on the development of the stellar Bozeman Climate Plan! This email is in
wholehearted support of adoption of the plan this evening. We absolutely need to this plan to
prepare for and act to reduce and mitigate climate change impacts. As a member of the Gallatin
City County Board of Health, and co-author of the recently released Climate Change and Human
Health in Montana (C2H2, available at www.montanaclimate.org), I know that your Climate Plan is
also essential to our County’s community health. It will help provide the local organization and
infrastructure to address key health threats identified in C2H2, including increased flooding, worse
droughts, extreme heat days and more wildfire smoke. Additionally, our community’s ability to
address climate impacts will help to reduce stress and mental illness, which are under recognized
but serious health consequences of climate change (C2H2, p. 51.)
And as we are learning during this pandemic, public health and economic wellbeing are inseparable.
The same concept applies to climate-driven increases in wildfire, flood and drought, which not only
directly affect our health and our economy, but are also starting to influence state and local credit
ratings. As Moody’s Analytics stated, “Cities and counties with plans for reducing their exposure to
climate risks… could see their credit ratings improve as a result, or at least not deteriorate.” Hence,
your Bozeman Climate Plan will also help to protect our local economy.
Thank you all for your hard work on this outstanding, groundbreaking plan. It shows tremendous
leadership.
Sincerely,
Mari Eggers
Research Assistant Professor
Associate Director, Environmental Health Program
Montana State University
Member, Gallatin City County Board of Health