Between the recent fires in California and the news that 2024 was the hottest year on record, it should be abundantly clear to everyone that we are in the midst of a climate crisis. The city of Minneapolis has made sound strides in addressing global warming on the local level, but we are not the climate leaders we can and should be. Our goal of being carbon-neutral by 2050 is admirable; however, I would like to challenge us to aim for instead being carbon-negative by then. Too many people view climate action as a burden, but I prefer to see it as an opportunity to make people's lives easier and restore our environment. 

Here are just three climate solutions the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) can support that will not only fight global warming but can also help make the day-to-day lives of Minneapolis residents easier:

“Green-ifying” Our City: Study after study shows amazing benefits to maintaining green spaces and planting more trees/shrubs/bushes/etc., from improved mental health, to cleaner air and water, to increased public safety and carbon sequestration. Every playground, trail, tree, and shrub is not just there for our enjoyment but is also an intentional investment into our collective well-being and that of our environment. I am an ardent supporter of increasing green space across the city, starting by working with the city and community partners to transform abandoned or under-utilized properties into green spaces that are designed by the community and for the community. 

Supporting Urban Agriculture: Expanding upon the benefits of “green-ifying” our city, urban agriculture opportunities like community gardens help us build a more local and resilient food system. It helps people feed themselves and their families, save money on groceries, and form connections with their neighbors. There are currently fifteen community gardens on MPRB property and counting; I am in favor of growing this number, both by starting new gardens and bringing existing ones into the MPRB umbrella to protect them from corporate development. I also hope to expand the MPRB’s urban agriculture programming to make sure that we are being intentional with our resources, listening to community members, and helping them meet their needs and desires to the best of our ability. 

Installing More Solar Power: There are currently eight solar installations on MPRB property and the latest one became operational in 2018. Also, the MPRB has partnered with Xcel Energy to make sure that one hundred percent of its energy comes from wind sources as of 2021. This is good, but to have a resilient energy system is to have energy produced as close to where it’s being consumed as possible. I believe we need to resume installing photovoltaic solar power on MPRB properties as it would provide us with more reliable energy, help us save money in the long run, and allow our community centers to continue serving residents in instances such as power outages. 

Climate action is not just good for the planet, but it is also good for people! By addressing this global crisis locally, we can make our day-to-day lives easier, eliminate local carbon emissions, and create a vibrant, resilient, and just Minneapolis. 

In community, 

Adam Schneider

1/16/2025