How can you support the Climate Action Plan?
- Actions for Home/Work
- Actions for Getting Around
- Actions for Waste
- Actions to Promote Nature
- Use Your Economic & Political Power
There are many actions you can take at home or at work to help the City reach its emissions reduction goals. Below are resources from the City, local organizations, and utilities to help you get involved.
- Request your free Energy & Water Efficiency Kit from the City today. These kits contain water efficiency devices like low-flow showerheads, aerators, and toilet tank leak detectors. They also include LED lightbulbs and while supplies last, also Smart PowerStrips. Email sustainability@cohb.org to set up a time to pick up your kit.
- Sign up for FPL Solar Together. This is a program that allows renters AND homeowners to sign up and receive Renewable Energy Credits from FPL building solar energy centers. When you sign up you can designate how much of your monthly electricity use you want to go towards building new solar energy centers throughout Florida. Signing up for the program can even help you lower your electricity bills over time. Be sure to claim your Renewable Energy Certificates when you sign up!
- Install solar on your home. We’ve got a whole website set up with all the information you need to know about installing solar in Hallandale Beach. You can visit the website here.
- If you need financing to install Solar Panels or other energy efficiency improvements, apply for a low-interest loan from the Solar Energy Loan Fund.
- Residents of Broward County are eligible to join the Broward County Solar Co-Op. The Co-Op has solicited proposals from various solar installers in the South Florida area and has negotiated the best price for solar installations.
- Energy Efficiency is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Use FPL's Energy Dashboard to identify high-use appliances or uses of electricity in your home and work to replace or repair those to reduce your overall energy consumption. Consider carrying out energy efficiency improvements such as installing hurricane windows by using PACE financing or a low-interest loan from Solar Energy Loan Fund. Low-cost energy efficiency projects you can carry out in your home can include sealing air leaks around floors, doors, and windows with caulk or weather stripping, adding insulation, installing and setting programmable thermostats, and installing energy-efficient LED lights.
- If you have a gas stove, water heater, or other gas appliances replace them with Energy-Star electric alternatives when they reach their end of life.
- If you live in multi-family housing, talk to your property manager about participating in the City's annual NatureScape Irrigation Audit. Within this program, Broward County staff will assess irrigation on-site and identify leaks and other inefficiencies. The property manager will get a report of all the areas where the building could be saving water outdoors and can do a follow-up visit once repairs have been made. This program is free to multi-family housing and commercial businesses but there is limited space available each year. If your building wants to participate, email sustainability@cohb.org.
- Use the free tool EnergyStar Portfolio Manager to track your energy and water consumption and compare your buildings to other similarly sized buildings throughout the US. Consider making goals based on the data you enter into EnergyStar Portfolio Manager to reduce your electricity and water use in line with national averages or superstars!
- Many appliances such as HVAC/Air Conditioning and Refrigerators use refrigerants. Refrigerants have associated "Global Warming Potential" values which measure how destructive it is as a climate pollutant. Some refrigerants, mostly known as HFCs, can have a Global Warming Potential that is more than 3,000 times as potent as carbon dioxide. If you're buying a new HVAC unit look to purchase one with the lowest global warming potential. If you're buying a new fridge, consult this list of no-HFC fridges. If you have old refrigerant canisters laying around your home, contact an EPA Certified Reclaimer to destroy them and keep those greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere. If you own a business that uses refrigerants, consider joining EPA's GreenChill program.
- Sustainable Homes Initiative (coming soon)
- Green Business Certification (coming soon)
Transportation accounts for nearly half of Hallandale Beach's greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting the way we get around to be more walking, biking, and taking public transportation can have a tremendous impact on reducing emissions. Consider the following when working to cut your emissions related to transportation:
- Ride the City's minibus or use Broward County Transit. For longer trips, consider using Tri-Rail or Brightline in the tri-county area.
- Carpool and consolidate trips with planned routes.
- Consider purchasing an electric vehicle. If you purchase a new one, you can get a $7,500 tax credit on select models.
- Use some of the many public electric vehicle chargers in our area, some of which offer free charging.
- Advocate for electric vehicle charging in multi-family housing. Read this Florida Statute about electric vehicle charging in multi-family.
- Practice bike safety while you're riding your bike.
- If you're driving an internal combustion vehicle, don't idle.
- If you're driving an internal combustion vehicle, don't park in electric vehicle charging stations/spots. This will get you a $25 parking ticket.
1.9% of the City's greenhouse gas emissions come from waste. Use these resources to reduce your waste and in turn, your emissions.
- Recycle properly. Don't recycle things that aren't recyclable and make sure your recycling is always clean.
- Reduce your single-use plastic consumption. Refuse and reduce these items as much as possible. Bring your own shopping bags to the store, bring your own produce bags and bulk containers, switch to cleaning supplies with limited packaging. There are so many ways you can get creative to use less plastic. Share your ideas with us and with others!
- Compost at home. This can be a backyard bin, an under-the-apartment-sink vermicompost bin, or by participating in compost pick-up services.
- Use FreeCycle and donate items to thrift stores. Ask friends and neighbors if they want a couch before you put it out for bulk waste. You'd be surprised what you can find for free on FreeCycle!
- Repair items rather than throw them away and replace them.
There are many ways in which you can support the City's Climate Action Plan while promoting or increasing access to nature.
- Follow the City's Code related to irrigation and fertilizing/fertilizing during the rainy season.
- Plant shade trees on your property.
- Start a vegetable garden or plant fruit trees! Use resources from our Broward County Agricultural Extension.
- Start wildlife and pollinator gardens! Certify your pollinator/wildlife garden either through Broward NatureScape or the National Wildlife Federation.
While it is important that individuals take action to curb climate change, the climate crisis will require both systemic and individual actions. An article published in 2017 showed that 100 companies are responsible for 71% of emissions. We should all take individual actions to the best of our ability, but we all must also pressure for actions at a greater scale to be taken. Below are some actions you can take, utilizing your power as a voter and consumer, to support the City's Climate Action Plan.
- Call your representatives and ask them to support Climate Actions and Policies in line with the City's goal to reduce emissions 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050.
- Ask companies you like to support to set science-based climate goals and be transparent about their progress.
- Support companies who are taking climate change seriously and are making progress in reducing their emissions.
- Invest in companies that promote alternative energy and other climate solutions and divest your finances from fossil fuel interests.
- Vote with your fork. Eat a plant-based diet. If you eat meat/dairy, buy from local or regenerative farms and limit your consumption.
- Don't buy products that contain palm oil. There are many smartphone apps you can use to scan barcodes of products to avoid palm oil.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The City recognizes that human-caused global climate change is occurring. In 2021, the City Commission accelerated the City's timeline to reduce emissions by joining the Cities Race to Zero. The City's new goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
From December 2019 to March 2020, the City conducted its first Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory. This Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory measures (1) Community-wide emissions and (2) those emissions from City Operations. Review the Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory here, which creates a 2016 baseline that we will base all reductions from. Additionally, the City discloses our Inventory results on a number of international organization’s platforms.
In 2022, the City completed a second Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory for the calendar year of 2021. You can read it here. We're currently on track to meet our reduction goals!
Read the City’s Climate Change Frequently Asked Questions Document Here
Between 2019 and 2020, Senior and relevant City staff have attended two separate training workshops to learn all about climate change so that all staff may better serve our residents. We’re ready.
Adjusting to the impacts of Climate Change
Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan
In 2018, the City was awarded a $66,000 grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Coastlines Program. With this funding, the City hired a consultant to create a Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan (VAAP). Our VAAP examines what areas of the City will be inundated with 1, 2, and 5 feet of sea-level rise. Additionally, the VAAP explores how climate change will impact groundwater (drinking water) resources, rainfall, and shoreline. The VAAP was adopted by City Commission on August 5, 2020. Read the VAAP here.
Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan
In 2018, the City was awarded a $40,000 grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for the purpose of developing a Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan. In the last four years, the City has prepared for or has experienced three hurricanes that were expected at great magnitude. Knowing that long-term recovery is benefited by having a plan, the City determined that having a Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan is an important step to increase the City’s resilience to natural and man-made disasters. The Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan was adopted by City Commission on August 5, 2020. Read the Post-Disaster Redevelopment Plan here Headline.
Regional Efforts and Impacts
Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact
The Southeast Florida region is lead by the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, an agreement between Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties to approach climate change in a unified regional manner. To learn more about the "Compact" and the Regional Climate Action Plan visit their website.
King Tides
King Tides, also called “Sunny Day Flooding” or “High Tide Flooding" are expected to occur between September and November of each year. King Tides are the highest tide of the year which can flood low-lying areas of the City with saltwater. Depending on the height of inundation, King Tides can cause saltwater to overflow past seawalls and flow up through storm drains.
In 2017, King Tide flooding was observed in Golden Isles and along Golden Beach Drive. Since 2017, the City has installed Tidal Flex Check Valves to curb tidal flooding in these areas. In 2018 no flooding was experienced. Based on NOAAA's tide predictions, In 2022, King Tides are expected to occur the following dates:
- September 8-13
- September 27-30
- October 6-12
- October 24-30
- November 6-9
- November 23-27
- Since higher tides are possible on both the new moon and the full moon, additional dates to watch for tidal impacts include August 11-13 and December 23-24.
Between now and King Tide days, take the time to prepare. Get to know your flood hazard and familiarize yourself with your flood insurance policy. The City provides property protection consultations including site visits and drainage evaluators. Call 954-457-1386 for property protection advice. During King Tide events, be careful driving or walking through flood water. If you’re expecting to walk through flood water it is best to wear close-toed shoes, as hazards may be hiding where you can’t see them. The same is true for driving- do not drive through flooded areas. Expect to experience traffic delays due to flooding. Do not let children play in or near floodwater, but if they do encourage them to wash their hands. Email photos and the location of flooding to the City’s Sustainability & Resiliency Officer and upload them to Broward County’s Document the Floods Crowdsourcing Map.
During these King Tide days, you can also prepare by educating yourself and your peers on the causes of sea-level rise and what you can do to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Reoccurring floods like King Tides provide a test-run of likely sea-level rise scenarios. As sea-level rises, the frequency of King Tides are expected to increase to nearly 50 times per year by 2030 and over 200 times per year by 2045. Remember, it is never too late to make changes in your life to be greener.