Who will become Tacoma’s Biggest Carbon Loser?

Go ahead and take it personally. It’s what the Sustainable Tacoma Commission wants you to do. Of the City’s 23 volunteer committees, boards and commissions, it’s the Sustainable Tacoma Commission’s responsibility to oversee implementation of Tacoma’s Climate Action Plan for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through accountability, transparency and vigilance. To that end, the Sustainable Tacoma Commission is taking their service a step above these already worthy contributions through a Tacoma’s Biggest Carbon Loser challenge. 

Five of the Commission’s members are inviting the community to learn from their personal efforts to reduce carbon emissions at home. Residents can follow their progress through a series of videos being made in collaboration through a University of Washington Tacoma communications class project. 

“It’s about walking the talk,” said commission member and effort organizer Ellen Moore. “If we’re going to be looking at policies and efforts around these issues, we should have a good idea of what that means on a personal level.” 

The Commission hopes other Tacomans will be inspired to join the challenge. Residents can calculate their own carbon footprint from the City web site  and learn some suggested changes. Then, they can enhance their lifestyles with new habits that decrease carbon emissions. 

The commission members’ carbon weights will be revealed and the biggest loser (winner) crowned at the free Saturday, March 1 South Sound Sustainability Expo. 

Questions may be directed to the Sustainable Tacoma Commission staff liaison, Office of Environmental Policy and Sustainability (OEP&S) Manger Kristin Lynett, at (253) 591-5571 or klynett@cityoftacoma.org. The Tacoma OEP&S develops, promotes and implements sustainable practices through education, community partnerships and performance management. Tacoma is the nation’s first certified a 4-STAR sustainable community and has recently exceeded its goal to reduce community-wide emissions by 15 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.