ABOUT CLIMATE SMART

The San Diego Foundation launched Climate Smart as part of its Climate Change Initiative, to raise public awareness about the local implications of climate change and catalyze more comprehensive regional action on global warming.

Four institutions joined forces with The San Diego Foundation to advance this initiative - the San Diego Natural History Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, San Diego Regional Energy Office, and the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center - by bringing together philanthropy, research, public education, and financial incentives to spur government, business, and individuals to do more to slow global warming.

Climate Smart is in the first phase of what is envisioned to be a multi-year effort to bring government, business, the research community, and nonprofits together to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our time.

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CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

Recent data drawn from ice cores reveals that carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere are at their highest point in 600,000 years. Rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere have contributed to the Earth’s rising temperatures. In fact, the past few decades are the hottest on record for the planet in the last 400 years. Glaciers are melting at an accelerating pace, sea levels are rising, hundreds of plants and animals are moving closer to the poles, and we are experiencing a growing number of severe storms and droughts worldwide. For more information, see the Birch Aquarium's web site Making Sense of Climate Change.

What does this mean for California and the San Diego region?
A recent report issued by the California Climate Change Center, Our Changing Climate, Accessing the Risks to California, finds that global warming impacts will be widespread and significant throughout California.

First and foremost, our climate is expected to become much warmer, ranging from 3 to 10.5 degrees by the end of this century. Global warming will also affect our health, by worsening our air quality, intensifying heat waves, and expanding the extent of infectious diseases. Sea levels will likely rise by one to three feet, putting our beaches and coastal communities at risk. Decreasing snowpack in the Sierras will diminish our water supply, increasing the likelihood of summer water shortages. Storms and wildfires may become more frequent and severe, posing a threat to people as well as our native plants and wildlife.

We can change this climate forecast. There are solutions available today to reduce emissions and minimize the impacts of global warming on our region. We must act now.

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To make a contribution to the Climate Smart Fund or for more information on how you can get involved to support Climate Smart, contact Dr. Emily Young at The San Diego Foundation, (619) 235-2300 or environment@sdfoundation.org.