Understanding energy inefficiencies at your business may be your first step in saving money on your electric costs. Contact Columbia Water & Light for help!
Install solar panels on your home with Columbia Water & Light's solar rebates.
Energy
Energy refers to the electricity and natural gas delivered to the Columbia community. Emissions associated with energy use account for 70% of Columbia’s total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Reducing that consumption and increasing the renewable energy goals voters approved in 2004 present great opportunities to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance our resilience.
The CAAP process identified these two energy sector goals:
- Increase generation and use of renewable energy sources, including on-site solar and energy storage.
- Improve energy resilience and demand management.
Energy
Be Part of the Solution!
All Columbians have a role to play in helping us transition to a clean energy future. Columbia Water & Light can help you get started.
Housing, Buildings & Development
Housing and buildings can be designed to maximize energy efficiency and reduce the consumption of electricity and natural gas. Emissions come from residential, commercial, and industrial buildings consuming electricity from nonrenewable sources and burning fossil fuels. Designing new buildings and retrofitting existing buildings to maximize efficiency and use of renewable energy sources reduces emissions, saves money, and increases our resilience to changing climate conditions.Through the CAAP process, Columbia identified three strategic goals for Housing, Buildings & Development:
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- Increase energy efficiency in residential, commercial and municipal buildings.
- Reduce fossil fuel use.
- Enhance building resilience.
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Housing, Buildings & Development
Be Part of the Solution!
There are a number of programs to support Columbia in our effort to reduce energy use.
Reduce energy use with Columbia Water & Light's rebates and loans.
Trade in your old A/C for a new, energy efficient one.
Transportation
Transportation refers to the form and function of transportation systems, including private vehicles, public transportation, and walking and biking infrastructure. Transportation activities made up 26% of Columbia’s GHG emissions in 2016. Privately-owned passenger vehicles account for the majority of these emissions.
Columbia’s CAAP has established two goals for improving the sustainability of its transportation system:
- Reduce vehicle miles traveled.
- Increase the fuel economy of vehicles.
Transportation
Be Part of the Solution!
Find out how easy it is to get around without a car! Biking and walking are great forms of exercise and also help reduce our emissions.
You can bike and bus at the same time.
Learn about our bike routes.
Learn about how bike-friendly Columbia is.
Waste
The waste we send to the landfill creates greenhouse gas emissions which impact our health, environment, and our economy. Given that the majority of waste we send to the landfill could be recycled or composted, it is important that we address this area through our CAAP.
Through the CAAP process, Columbia identified three goals associated with solid waste:
- Reduce waste production.
- Increase waste diversion.
- Improve waste system management.
Waste
Be Part of the Solution!
Take action today to minimize what you send to the landfill.
More than one third of the waste we send to the landfill is organic material that can be composted.
Learn about easy ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Health, Safety & Well-Being
Health, safety and well-being includes addressing impacts of climate change, such as heat stress, air quality and allergens, food security, vector-borne disease and mental health. Climate change can disproportionately impact communities that are already at risk of harm, such as low-income families, communities of color, the elderly, children and homeless populations. For example, extreme heat can endanger people without shelter or without air conditioning.Columbia’s CAAP has established two goals for improving the health, safety and well-being of Columbia residents:
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- Prepare the community, public safety and health services for anticipated climate change impacts.
- Reduce emissions associated with the food system.
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Health, Safety & Well-Being
Be Part of the Solution!
All Columbians need to be actively engaged in our resilient future.
We don’t always know when an extreme event will strike, and FEMA recommends that everyone be prepared to go without power for up to 72 hours. Put together your preparedness kit today!
Three markets in Columbia offer locally grown and produced food, flowers, plants and other agricultural products.
Natural Resources
Columbia’s natural resources bring value to our community. Urban trees help cool homes and businesses during extreme heat events. Greenspace supports wildlife, stormwater management, recreation, and the health and well-being of Columbians. Improving and maintaining the quality of water in our lakes and streams, as well as what we drink, is also important to maintaining our resilience as a community.Through the CAAP process, Columbia identified three strategic goals for Natural Resources:
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- Increase climate resilience and carbon sequestration potential of public and private lands.
- Reduce per capita water usage.
- Reduce negative impacts from stormwater runoff and flooding.
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Natural Resources
Be Part of the Solution!
Columbia has a wealth of natural resources that help keep our air and water clean and provide recreational benefits.
Plant a tree today.
On average, a residential home in Columbia uses 3,740 gallons of water per month, with toilets accounting for more than 25% of that use.
Keep our streams clean by volunteering to pick-up litter
Climate Change in Columbia
Climate change is a shift in the long-term, average weather patterns. When climate changes over thousands of years, plants and animals often adapt. When climate changes rapidly—over hundreds of years—drastic changes including mass extinctions have occurred. Our climate is changing rapidly. Decades of burning fossil fuels and other human activities have released dangerous levels of heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. These GHGs—carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides and others—are driving abrupt changes in our climate.Learn MoreClimate Change in Columbia
Be Part of the Solution!
All Columbians need to be actively engaged in our resilient future.
We don’t always know when an extreme event will strike and FEMA recommends that everyone be prepared to go without power for up to 72 hours. Put together your preparedness kit today!
From what we eat to the vehicles we drive, there are many actions we all can take to reduce our personal GHG emissions.
