Summary
These studies show that the region has been doing science-backed work to identify the areas of society that need the most help with climate change. It is a necessary first step in holding ourselves accountable.
If you thought my latest story on San Diego’s inability to reach its most ambitious climate goal, net zero emissions by 2030, was depressing, then you haven’t heard what Monday’s United Nations report on the fate the planet has to offer.
I remember waking up at 5 AM to hear Antnio Guterres, UN Secretary General, describe the atlas on human suffering that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has just released. Here’s what the most reliable science has to say about the current state global warming.
Guterres stated that the world’s largest polluters are guilty arson on our sole home. Delay means death.
Guterres stated that global emissions are expected to rise by nearly 14 percent over the next decade, despite the need for a reduction of emissions by 45 percent by 2030 in order to prevent permanent, catastrophic changes in weather patterns and sea levels. This will impact human health, food security, and economic security, particularly in less-developed countries.
San Diego is in a similar situation. A recent report from University of San Diego’s Energy Policy Initiatives Center showed that San Diego will still have to eliminate about half of its emissions by 2035, even if it implements all 16 Climate Action Plans. This is far from the goal of net zero emissions by 2030. (What does net Zero really mean? Here’s a explanation.
When I Talked to KPBS Roundtable, FridayMatthew Hoffman asked Matthew Hoffman what I would tell people who feel that combating climate changes is impossible to talk about San Diego’s struggles to meet its climate targets.
Many readers understood my story to mean that we all would burn regardless of our best efforts to avoid it. My own takeaway from San Diego’s report was the exact opposite.
This study is a great example of science-backed work in the region. It helps us identify the areas that need the most climate work. It is a necessary first step in holding ourselves accountable.
The problem of climate change is so big that it can make us feel worthless for our individual efforts. But this is not true.
Debra Roberts, co-chairperson of the UN group of scientists that worked on the UN report, was asked if individual changes were as important as those made by governments or corporations. Or should people wait for stronger commitments from these institutions.
She stated that combating climate change will require a societal response.
Roberts stated that a key component of that is how we live our lives and make decisions. It also depends on how we use our agency in the world.
Guterres’ interpretation of what science says will happen if the global economy continues to burn fossil fuels at such high rates is not exaggerated, I think. The rhetoric is hard to understand, even for someone who has studied a little climate science.
Sammy Roth is a Los Angeles Times energy reporter. He wrote about his struggle with climate despair. My colleague and I share a general optimism. This is likely because we cover areas of the economy that are actually making climate changes, such as new public power agencies pushing San Diego towards 100 percent renewable energy and net zero commitments from monopoly investor owned utilities like San Diego Gas and Electric. It is our job as journalists, to make sure that those institutions are doing the right thing with your money.
My message is that citizens should use the scientific findings from both the UN and San Diego reports to make political decisions at the polls. Instead of despair, try a few climate-healthy lifestyles to add to you routine. Soon, the region will require food waste recycling. It is possible to reduce the amount of methane gas that is released from landfills by placing food waste in a separate container on your counter and then putting it in a green waste bin at the curb.
Roberts stated that it is a strong call for everyone to do the heavy lifting to ensure a just and equitable world for many generations.
In Other News
- The U.S. Department of Energy also works to build the national electric grid in order to transport renewables over long distances. A project with a price tag of only $20 billion. (Union-Tribune)
- Sempra Infrastructure is a subsidiary of Sempra that also owns SDG&E. A large wind farm was completed in Baja, Mexico.This will transmit renewable energy to California’s grid via an across-border transmission line. (Union-Tribune)
- Sempra High profits in 2021Despite the rapidly rising energy costs in the region at 2022’s beginning, it was still $1.25billion. (KPBS)
- Oceanside was the victim of a massive strike by sanitation workers against Republic Services. That company offered to send a bid.To take over waste management in the City. (Union-Tribune)
- However, Republic Services Carlsbad promisedIt just signed a deal with, which means that there will be a seamless transition of service when the trash collection contract starts on July 1. (Union-Tribune)
