Menlo Park council open to bold new climate goal: carbon neutrality by 2030

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It’s so aggravating to me that no one wants to consider a ban on gas powered leaf blowers as a means of reducing GHG emissions. Sure, as a percentage they don’t amount to as much carbon as cars but they are much more polluting than cars and there are efficient and effective alternatives readily available. On top of their carbon spewing two-stroke engines they destroy peace and quiet, remove top soil, aerosolize toxic lawn chemicals and animal feces, destroy insect habitats and terrorize birds. Let’s ban gas blowers in Menlo Park!

Lselkins, I like your idea. It is both practical and likely to improve the quality of life for Menlo Park residents. Unfortunately, those qualities mean that it is unlikely to be of any interest to the council.

Bold goals mean nothing if there isn't action to support them. How many years did it take from the Green Ribbon Citizens' Committee work before a goal was even adopted? How many years will it be before the Council makes decisions about development rules so mixed use development occurs rather than this boom of office buildings that just bring commuters (not even sales tax revenue)? How many years before there is a viable continuous network of safe passages for bicyclists and pedestrians? How many years and how many millions more of consultant dollars will occur before a council makes the tough decisions that enough is enough? The downtown plan and the bayfront plan were supposed to manage development until at least 2040 but both are getting blown away (at least the office parts of them). Sitting idly won't fix anything, especially the climate.