San Diego Becomes Surprising National Model for Dealing with Climate Change Impacts
Nov
28
Written by:
11/28/2011 8:15 AM
First Region to Gain Unprecedented Involvement of All City Governments
Nov. 28, 2011 – The controversy over climate change continues to polarize across the U.S., even as sea levels rise, droughts grow more prolonged and weather patterns seem ever more extreme.
"In many respects," said Dr. Emily Young, Senior Director of The San Diego
Foundation's Environment Program, "this leadership is borne out of necessity as the
U.S. Southwest is likely to face some of the first and worst impacts from climate
change nationwide, with one local study projecting a 50-50 chance of a major source
of water – Lake Mead – essentially drying up by 2021. Dwindling water supplies,
increased wildfire risks, and coastal erosion will have significant impacts on the
region's clean air and water, natural lands and the health and well-being of residents,
businesses and future generations."
"The San Diego region is among the first in the nation with such a complete
understanding of their emissions and climate change impacts, and regions across the
country are following the San Diego region's efforts closely as a model," noted Brian
Holland, National Director of Climate Programs for ICLEI, a membership association
of more than 600 U.S. cities. To date, all 18 cities and the County of San Diego have
performed greenhouse gas emissions inventories, and about half have begun
working on or have completed a plan to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
and prepare for climate change.
Among the other innovative programs developed by asserted collaboration in the
San Diego region include:
- Spearheaded by The San Diego Foundation's Climate Initiative, ICLEI-Local
Governments for Sustainability is working directly with the region's local
governments and public agencies to address issues affecting San Diego's
clean air and water, miles of coastline, extensive natural lands and the health
and well-being of its people and future generations due to the impacts of
climate change.
- ICLEI has been working with the Unified Port of San Diego and its five member
cities to prepare for and manage the risks from sea level rise, the first such
comprehensive action by port authorities in the nation. Sea levels — already
up 6 inches since 1900 — are expected to rise 12 to 18 inches more in the next
40 years according to research by Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
- San Diego County Water Authority is one of the few metropolitan water
agencies nationwide to work with local climate scientists to integrate climate
change projections into planning for the region's future water supply and
demand, in part with funding from The San Diego Foundation.
- The first municipality in southern California to do so, the City of Chula Vista
recently developed an assertive plan to prepare for the impacts of climate
change, with guidance from a committee of community residents and
businesses, and based on local climate research funded by The San Diego
Foundation. The City is now beginning to implement 11 new strategies,
including adopting cool roof and pavement provisions, improving local water
supply and reuse, increasing the number of shade trees, emergency planning
for extreme heat events, as well as efforts to preserve the coastal wetlands.
Maureen A. Stapleton, General Manager of the San Diego County Water Authority,
added, "We recognize that climate change could have impacts to the reliability of our
region's water supply, which is why we have incorporated climate change and
adaptation strategies into our region's long-term water management plan and taken
steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our operations. It also reinforces the
importance of diversifying our water supply sources and investing in major water
storage and conveyance projects for our region."
Since 2006, The San Diego Foundation has taken a unique and determined leadership
role in preparing the San Diego region for the impacts of climate change. The
Foundation has invested $1.5 million to help reduce the region's polluting emissions
and the harmful effects of climate change, and on building a strong economy and
healthy environment that expands business opportunities while protecting the San
Diego region's spectacular natural beauty.
The Foundation's strategy includes supporting technical assistance to local
governments, funding research on regional emissions and climate change impacts,
and bringing organizations together, rather than them doing so on their own, to
collectively answer tough questions about how to build and sustain a strong economy
while addressing impacts of climate change on the region's clean air and water,
natural lands and the health and well-being of its people and future generations.
According to public opinion research commissioned by The Foundation in 2010, San
Diego residents suggested that the region take a leadership role in planning for
climate change. "The San Diego Foundation has done that, and philanthropy has
played a catalytic role in providing that leadership, but we cannot and have not done
it alone," said Bob Kelly, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. "We are
grateful to elected officials and staff of all the cities and public agencies that have
taken leadership on this issue, with a planned and proactive approach for the benefit
of future generations."
In addition to partnerships with government and nonprofits, businesses such as
QUALCOMM, Bank of America and Kaiser Permanente have provided critical funding
to augment The Foundation's collaborative efforts. The region's innovation has also
attracted investments from national funders such as the Kresge Foundation and the
National Science Foundation, in anticipation that what happens in San Diego will
serve as powerful examples for other areas of the country.
By preparing in advance for these changes and not waiting until climate change
impacts have intensified, the region can save money and has the potential to receive
other economic benefits. "Taking a leadership role in climate change "said Ruben
Barrales, President and CEO of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, "positions San
Diego to benefit from strong and sustainable business development and increased
potential for employment."
Last year, The San Diego Foundation commissioned a report, Economic Vitality: Clean
Jobs in the San Diego Region, which found that one in 10 jobs in the region are linked
to green industries and that traditional industries are starting to change in order to
take advantage of emerging technologies. The report highlights how the San Diego
region has developed as one of California's fastest growing areas for clean jobs,
attracting $445 million in venture capital in the last five years alone.
"No matter what one believes about climate change and its causes," said Kelly, "San
Diegans throughout the region expect local government, business and the
community to work together and act now, as a leader in the state and the nation, to
address the very real impacts of climate change."
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