Marin foundation to fund $10 million in climate change projects
By D. Ashley Furness, Business Journal Staff Reporter
MARIN COUNTY — The Marin Community Foundation will fund $10 million worth in climate change-related projects during the next five years, according to an announcement today.
“We want Marin to do more than just play its part,” said foundation President Thomas Peters. “We want to spur Marin residents to set the standard for how an entire community rallies around a global issue. In doing so, we’ll be building on decades of world-renowned environmental stewardship in the county.”
Research related to the carbon-absorbing, also known as “carbon sequestration” abilities, of the rangelands of West Marin will be central to the funding. The Marin Carbon Project comprised of scientist, ranchers, county agencies and other nonprofits has already received about $240,000 to be used in the effort to increase the land’s natural ability to sop up carbon.
“By exploring the use of compost, different grazing patterns, and even different kinds of plows, scientists are finding the potential to permanently remove hundreds of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,” Mr. Peters said.
Additional funding will be allocated to projects related to energy and water saving as well as traffic mitigation. Some of the projects will receive foundation funding for the first time, but others, including the Safe Routes to School program, will receive renewed grants.
Foundation officials hope the total allocation will result in a reduction of at least two million metric tons of carbon emissions.
The green initiative is one of four identified in the foundation’s new strategic plan. Others announced earlier in the year include five-year allocations for educational achievement, poverty and services for low-income families and developing more affordable housing. The foundation has distributed more than $800 million during its 21-year tenure.
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I’m guessing there are no more poor folks in Marin that might have better use for the money? Maybe acting locally on a bazillion dollar global issue makes more sense than having a significant effect on on a local problem
by mike
Mike – Not sure what your point is or why you are trashing Marin and categorizing us all as a homogeneous society. There is a significant local unemployment issue and these types of programs create jobs, which has a significant effect on a local issue.
by Tami