ABOUT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Seattle CAN?
Learn about Seattle Climate Action Now
What is the City of Seattle doing?
Learn about the city's progress
What is climate change?
Is climate change really happening?
What policy changes are currently under consideration and how can I become involved on this level?
Does the Seattle CAN campaign advocate for a specific climate policy?
No, Seattle CAN helps Seattle residents take concrete action to reduce climate pollution. However, the campaign also connects Seattle residents who are interested in influencing climate policy with local civic engagement partners. Outside of Seattle CAN, the City is already committed to the climate policies and actions outlined in the Seattle Climate Action Plan, which commits Seattle to a 7 percent reduction goal in greenhouse gas emissions below 1990 levels by the year 2012. Additionally, the City of Seattle is committed to state and federal policies that move us toward a long-term goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels. Each year, the City develops Washington State and federal legislative agendas. When the City's 2008 legislative agenda is finalized, the climate protection portions of the agenda will be made available to interested Seattle CAN participants.
How can my organization or business join Seattle CAN?
Learn about becoming a partner.
Seattle Climate Action Now! provides Seattle residents with a clear path for individual engagement — clear steps for achieving real, on-the-ground greenhouse gas reductions immediately. The campaign provides partner organizations and businesses with tools and resources to help engage their members, customers, neighbors, and employees in this communitywide effort.
Specifically, the campaign provides organizational partners with professionally developed communications resources and templates, communitywide engagement opportunities, and a comprehensive Web portal featuring a footprinting and action planning tool, resource and partner directory, events calendar, and social networking features.
Organizational partners agree to:
- Promote the messages and actions of the campaign via their events, newsletters, e-mail lists, employee communications, promotions, etc.
- Supply the campaign with current information about the organization's climate-related engagement opportunities, grant the campaign permission to co-promote these activities, and participate in communitywide climate action events
To become an organizational partner, download and submit this form
Who is participating in Seattle CAN?
A broad range of organizations, businesses, and individuals are participating in the Seattle CAN campaign. The list of current Seattle CAN partners can be found here. It is never too late to join the campaign! To join as an individual or informal group and start taking action immediately, click here. To join as a formal organizational partner of the campaign and help deliver the messages of the campaign to your neighbors, members, constituents or customers, click here
What are the predicted impacts for Seattle?
How did you calculate my carbon footprint?
We calculated your carbon footprint using the information you provided about your home energy use, transportation choices, and waste generation: the most common and most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Our calculation does not include sources of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to you that are much more difficult to assess. For example, the calculation does not include the greenhouse gases that are emitted in the production and transport of all the consumer goods you purchase. For this reason, the carbon footprint you calculate on this site is an approximation of your total footprint, most useful for personal action planning, tracking, and comparison. For more information on how your footprint was calculated, including specific formulas, explanations and assumptions, figures used for Seattle average defaults, and protocol references, click here.
How did you figure out the projected carbon reduction associated with my action plan?
We calculated the projected carbon reduction associated with your personal action plan using standard protocols and where possible, Seattle-specific emissions factors. Some suggested actions, such as actions related to involving other people and engaging civically, do not have calculable reductions associated with them but are nonetheless extremely important. For more information on how the projected reductions were calculated for your action plan, including specific formulas, assumptions, and protocol references, click here.
How did you choose which actions to recommend?
We chose those actions that were most doable and highest leverage, in terms of greenhouse gas reduction. In some cases, we chose actions that require higher investments of time or money, but that lead to truly significant savings and help shift crucial markets and societal norms. In other instances, we chose to include actions even though their direct impacts are difficult to quantify in terms of greenhouse gas reductions. Civic Participation actions fall into this category.
What if I'm already doing many of the suggested actions?
Thank you! You are setting an important example for friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Please consider deepening your engagement by encouraging others to take the steps you've taken or by asking the groups you are affiliated with to join the campaign as an organizational partner. Learn about current policy proposals and get engaged here.
How can I submit an event for the calendar?
To submit an event for the Seattle CAN event calendar, click here.
Why hasn't the event I submitted for the calendar appeared yet?
It can take us up to three business days to review your event submission and post it in the Seattle CAN calendar. Please be sure to submit your posting well in advance of your event. Seattle CAN will post all community events that are open to the public and promote the goals, messages, or actions of the campaign.
How can I suggest a resource for the resource pages?
The second version of the Seattle CAN web portal will feature a searchable database of climate solution resources and campaign partners. If you would like to suggest a resource for inclusion in this database, please contact us at SeattleCAN@seattle.gov! Please use "resource suggestion"" as your subject heading.