Following a 5-0 vote, the Sarasota City Commission passed the Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition's "Ready for 100" resolution!
The resolution establishes 100% renewable energy target dates of 2030 for municipal operations and 2045 for the entire community. Sarasota has become the second city in Florida, behind St. Petersburg, to codify its commitment to 100% renewable energy. Across the U.S., more than 30 cities have adopted this goal.
Passage of the resolution caps four months of organizing by the newly formed Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition. Volunteers gathered over 2,000 petition signatures from residents and visitors, plus 40 local business, non-profit and organizational signatories.
Passage of the resolution caps four months of organizing by the newly formed Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition. Volunteers gathered over 2,000 petition signatures from residents and visitors, plus 40 local business, non-profit and organizational signatories.
“The Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition commends the City of Sarasota for establishing these crucial target dates. Renewable energy will help clean our air and water while creating good, green jobs for our community. We look forward to working with the City and other stakeholders to make concrete progress towards these goals in the months and years ahead." Sean Sellers, Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition, Chairman
“I am pleased to have worked on the campaign, but even more pleased to live in a visionary city such as Sarasota. I especially want to recognize the National Sierra Club for creating the bold outline for Ready for 100% and for encouraging their local Sierra Club members to get engaged.” DeeAnna Dowdle, Ready for 100% - Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition – Presentation Committee
“This is huge! Thanks to our Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota members who have been so faithful in pushing this forward. Kudos to DeeAnna Dowdle!!!” Diane Cirksena, Social Justice Committee, Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
“I am pleased to have worked on the campaign, but even more pleased to live in a visionary city such as Sarasota. I especially want to recognize the National Sierra Club for creating the bold outline for Ready for 100% and for encouraging their local Sierra Club members to get engaged.” DeeAnna Dowdle, Ready for 100% - Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition – Presentation Committee
“This is huge! Thanks to our Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota members who have been so faithful in pushing this forward. Kudos to DeeAnna Dowdle!!!” Diane Cirksena, Social Justice Committee, Unitarian Universalist Church of Sarasota
What They're Saying:
We extend deep gratitude to everyone who supported the campaign. It stands as yet another reminder of what is possible when people come together with a unity of purpose and commitment to change. Our work now begins in earnest, so please stay tuned in the weeks and months ahead to help develop and support implementation strategies in the City of Sarasota, and more! Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition.
“The City Commission is sending a strong message that Sarasota is serious about seeking alternative energy sources to do our part to combat climate change and sea level rise. With this voluntary agreement, Sarasota will strengthen its role as an energy innovator and environmental leader, becoming a cleaner city with fewer carbon emissions, which experts say could slow the impact of sea level rise. This is critical to Sarasota, where sea level rise threatens our infrastructure." Tom Barwin, City of Sarasota Manager
“By signing onto “Ready for 100,” Sarasota is solidifying its commitment to sustainability and to implementing concrete, local solutions that decrease our carbon emissions. It will provide structure for the City to look seriously at how we can transition our community to 100 percent clean energy. We look forward to working with community members to identify strategies to reach this ambitious goal.” Stevie Freeman-Montes, City of Sarasota Sustainability Manager.
"The Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition commends the City of Sarasota for establishing these crucial target dates. Renewable energy will help clean our air and water while creating good, green jobs for our community. We look forward to working with the City and other stakeholders to make concrete progress towards these goals in the months and years ahead." Sean Sellers, Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition chair.
About the Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition:
Founded in 2017, the Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition is comprised of community, faith and student groups working together to foster resiliency and promote a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon society
Read the resolution here: "Ready for 100" resolution.
We extend deep gratitude to everyone who supported the campaign. It stands as yet another reminder of what is possible when people come together with a unity of purpose and commitment to change. Our work now begins in earnest, so please stay tuned in the weeks and months ahead to help develop and support implementation strategies in the City of Sarasota, and more! Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition.
“The City Commission is sending a strong message that Sarasota is serious about seeking alternative energy sources to do our part to combat climate change and sea level rise. With this voluntary agreement, Sarasota will strengthen its role as an energy innovator and environmental leader, becoming a cleaner city with fewer carbon emissions, which experts say could slow the impact of sea level rise. This is critical to Sarasota, where sea level rise threatens our infrastructure." Tom Barwin, City of Sarasota Manager
“By signing onto “Ready for 100,” Sarasota is solidifying its commitment to sustainability and to implementing concrete, local solutions that decrease our carbon emissions. It will provide structure for the City to look seriously at how we can transition our community to 100 percent clean energy. We look forward to working with community members to identify strategies to reach this ambitious goal.” Stevie Freeman-Montes, City of Sarasota Sustainability Manager.
"The Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition commends the City of Sarasota for establishing these crucial target dates. Renewable energy will help clean our air and water while creating good, green jobs for our community. We look forward to working with the City and other stakeholders to make concrete progress towards these goals in the months and years ahead." Sean Sellers, Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition chair.
About the Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition:
Founded in 2017, the Sarasota Climate Justice Coalition is comprised of community, faith and student groups working together to foster resiliency and promote a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon society
Read the resolution here: "Ready for 100" resolution.