San Diego, CA, October 9, 2006 – Melting ice caps and stranded polar bears are haunting images, but how will global warming affect the San Diego region? State-of-the-art projections by world-renowned scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography are sobering, to say the least.
According to Dr. Daniel Cayan of the Climate Research Division at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a part of UC San Diego, without a drastic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, in 40 years downtown San Diego will have average temperatures on par with La Mesa today, and La Mesa will feel like Campo. Other adverse effects include a rise in sea level by one to three feet in the next 75 years, putting our beaches and coastal communities at risk, and decreased snow packs in the Sierras, diminishing a major water source for the area.
Climate Smart is a new initiative being launched in San Diego County to deepen community awareness about the local impacts of climate change and catalyze regional action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Four institutions (The San Diego Foundation, San Diego Natural History Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the San Diego Regional Energy Office) are joining forces to advance this initiative and will bring together philanthropy, research, public education, and financial incentives to spur government, business and individuals to do more to slow global warming.
“Global warming will have detrimental consequences for our quality of life,” states Bob Kelly, President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. “We have a choice to act before it is too late. Government, business, nonprofits, and individuals can all make a difference in slowing climate change.” Indeed, some cities in our region are already taking action. Just last week, the City of Chula Vista signed onto the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. The City of Del Mar did so last year.
With support from The San Diego Foundation and Mission Valley Rotary Club, the San Diego Natural History Museum will host a six-part lecture series called, Global Climate Change: Perspectives and Solutions. This series will address the issues that climate change presents on a global and local scale. All lectures are free to the public and no registration is required. In addition to the lecture series, the Museum will be screening HBO’s Too Hot Not to Handle starting in October and An Inconvenient Truth starting in December. Shown twice daily on the Museum’s giant-screen theater, these films will be included in museum admission at no extra charge.
Later this year, The San Diego Foundation will invite proposals for its Blasker-Miah-Rose Grant Program to support additional research on the consequences of climate change for our region. The Foundation will award up to $500,000 over the next three years to support this work. The Foundation will also work with donors to build additional resources for nonprofits to work with government, business and consumers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In January 2007, the San Diego Regional Energy Office will unveil its portion of the $2.8 billion California Solar Initiative which provides rebates and incentives to businesses, government, and consumers to install solar panels on rooftops across the County. The public has already shown a growing appetite for solar energy, as demonstrated last week by the thousands of people who attended various Solar Energy Week events. San Diegans are eager to learn more about generating their own power while helping the environment. This marks the second year that the San Diego Regional Energy Office has put on Solar Energy Week and the 7th year for the organization’s highly popular San Diego Solar Homes Tour.
As the Natural History Museum's lecture series comes to a close next spring, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography plans to open an exhibit, Feeling the Heat: The Global Climate Challenge, in May 2007. This exhibit will be the first of its kind in San Diego County, allowing visitors to explore how scientists measure global temperatures, track climate change, and investigate the critical connection between the ocean and climate. Of special interest, based on computer simulations and employing state-of-the-art visualizations, will be "California 2050," a fast-forward glimpse of environmental conditions in the Golden State when today's children have children of their own.
This is 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.
ABOUT THE LOCAL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
The San Diego Foundation
For over 30 years, The Foundation has been committed to improving the quality of life in the San Diego region. With over $500 million in assets and over 1,200 funds, The San Diego Foundation is a knowledge-based grantmaking organization that supports a broad range of charitable purposes. Since its inception, The Foundation has granted $420 million back to the community. The website is: www.sdfoundation.org and the phone number is 619.235.2300.
San Diego Natural History Museum
Founded in 1874 and actively engaged in biodiversity research and education, the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mission is: To interpret the natural world through research, education and exhibits; to promote understanding of the evolution and diversity of southern California and the peninsula of Baja California; and to inspire in all a respect for nature and the environment. Located in Balboa Park, near downtown San Diego, the Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM; and is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The website is: www.sdnhm.org, the phone number: 619.232.3821.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
Founded in 1903, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for global science research and graduate training in the world. Scripps has been a leader in climate research since the 1950s, when Charles Keeling began his pioneering measurements of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Today, Scripps scientists continue cutting-edge investigations of the causes and pace of climate change and its implications for California and the world. The website is www.scripps.ucsd.edu and the phone number is 858.534.3624.
Birch Aquarium is the public exploration center for Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Its mission is to provide ocean science education, to interpret the research discoveries of Scripps Oceanography, and to promote ocean conservation through interactive exhibits and public programs for all ages. Birch Aquarium at Scripps is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The website is www.aquarium.ucsd.edu and the phone number is 858.534-FISH (3474).
San Diego Regional Energy Office
San Diego Regional Energy Office is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation that implements programs, provides information and fosters public policies to facilitate adoption of clean, renewable, sustainable and efficient energy technologies and practices. SDREO is the region’s independent voice on energy issues and a trusted resource for businesses, consumers, public agencies and local governments. The website is: www.sdenergy.org, the phone number: 858.244.1177
KEY CONTACTS:
The San Diego Foundation: Anahid Brakke, Marketing and Communications, The San Diego Foundation, 619.235.2300
The San Diego Natural History Museum: Jim Stone, Director of Public Programs, 619.255.0248 OR Delle Willett, Director of Marketing, 619.255.0244
Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Cindy Clark, Director of Communications, 858.534.1294
San Diego Regional Energy Office: Tom Geldner, Director of Marketing, 858.244-1184
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