Knoxville Residents Encouraged to Participate in Survey on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Knoxville Residents Invited to Share Their Thoughts on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Living in Knoxville means being part of a vibrant community that’s always looking to improve, and now, residents have a crucial chance to weigh in on an issue that impacts us all—greenhouse gas emissions. The Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) is calling on folks from all nine counties in the Knoxville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) to participate in a brief survey aimed at understanding public opinion surrounding climate change and its impact on our future.

What’s This Survey About?

The TPO’s survey takes just ten minutes and consists of 15 well-crafted questions designed to get to the heart of your views about topics such as climate change, energy efficiency, and transportation. This effort is essential for creating a public engagement strategy that considers the diverse voices in our region, including residents from Knox, Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Grainger, Loudon, Morgan, Roane, and Union counties.

The survey remains open until September 30, 2024, and you can easily complete it online at https://www.knoxbreathesurvey.com/. And don’t worry, your privacy is a top priority—no personally identifying information will be collected.

Why Does This Matter?

This initiative is part of a larger movement in which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected Knoxville as a recipient of a planning grant. In fact, Knoxville is one of only 82 metropolitan areas across the country chosen to receive funding through the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program. This program aims to allocate $5 billion in grants to local governments and communities to design and implement plans focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The BREATHE initiative is the name given to Knoxville’s regional effort under the CPRG. It aims to enhance our community’s response to climate change by driving public engagement and developing a comprehensive climate action plan by December 1, 2025. This plan will eventually be submitted to the EPA to help us all breathe a little easier.

A Collaborative Approach

The City of Knoxville is leading the charge on this effort in collaboration with the TPO and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), which is simultaneously developing a statewide emissions reduction plan called the Tennessee Volunteer Emission Reduction Strategy (TVERS).

The TPO is focused on addressing transportation as a key factor in reducing emissions and improving air quality in our area. Being part of this planning process means that you can help shape a cleaner, healthier future for our community.

What’s Next?

If you haven’t taken a moment to share your thoughts yet, now is the time! Your input could play a vital role in shaping how we tackle the challenges posed by climate change here in Knoxville. Visit https://www.knoxbreathesurvey.com/ to fill out the survey and make your voice heard.

In a world where climate issues can sometimes feel overwhelming, remember that community involvement is the first step toward real change. Together, we can work to create a brighter, more sustainable future for Knoxville and beyond!