'Plan B' - California Preparing to Adapt?

In early December, pre-Copenhagen, the San Francisco Chronicle ran a lead story about California's efforts to plan for - not mitigate - the results of climate change.

Following a recommendation of the new report "California Climate Change Adaption Strategy - 2009" , the Governor in December created a new 23-person State's Climate Change Advisory Panel (CCAP) to make specific suggestions and recommendations in 6 months, by July 2010, especially to prepare for:

1. Increased wildfires and extended fire seasons.
2. Rising sea levels along 1,100 miles of coastline.
3. Reduced availability of water with reduced snow pack in the Sierras and extended periods of drought.

To visualize climate risks in the State, Google is preparing "Cal-Adapt" (prototype for Windows or Mac only)

Downtown Santa Cruz, built on a flood plain, was singled out as an area of risk in the released report (page 68)

"For example, the City of Santa Cruz has a levee system that protects some low-lying parts of the city against a 100-year flood. With a sea-level rise of approximately one foot, the anticipated 100-year flood event in Santa Cruz is expected to occur every 10 years, increasing the likelihood of storm-related inundation."

[Source: PIER Research Report, CEC-500-2009-014-F - Page 30:

"... By 2050, sea level rise, relative to the 2000 level, ranges from 30 cm to 45 cm. As sea level rises, there will be an increased rate of extreme high sea level events (Figure 19 and Table 7), which occur during high tides, often when accompanied by winter storms and sometimes exacerbated by El Niño occurrences (Cayan et al. 2008c). Importantly, as decades proceed, these simulations also contain an increasing tendency for heightened sea level events to persist for more hours, which would seem to imply a greater threat of coastal erosion and other damage. Virtually all of the increase in frequency and magnitude of sea level exceedances can be ascribed to the underlying secular increase in mean sea level.... "]

Here is the article SF Chronicle (12/3/09)

Also a blog report here from Legal Planet (UC Berkeley and UCLA - Law Schools)

Useful Reading:

FAQ (from past summer) - best thing to read - note: SFO underwater

A number of very useful, interactive maps (Pacific Institute)

And a Pacific Institute Report on Sea level rise. Full Report

SC 100 year flood: (Pacific Institute)

What we can do - events this weekend

What we can do...

A few environmental events this weekend:

1. "Flow" Coastal-Watershed Council - Free Environmental Film Series -- 6:30 PM Friday Dec. 11 in the Santa Cruz Harbor Community Meeting Room, 365 Lake Ave. (harbor side)
   
   
2. Candle Light Vigil - Sat Dec 12 - 4 pm - Clock Tower
   
   
   
3. Sounds of 350 - Sun Dec 13 - Interlight Service (Soquel)

Open Letter to Santa Cruz City Council

November 16, 2009

Dear City Council Members:

At the last meeting, I inquired about the status of a few items related to climate change, reducing energy consumption, vehicle miles traveled, etc.

When I ran out of time, Mayor Mathews suggested I submit some of the questions which I did.

With the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference fast approaching, and our Congress ineffectual, the world will soon take full notice of our "... abandonment of moral responsibility...." [Rajendra Pashauri, Chair of IPCC].

As I do, many Santa Cruz citizens want to know what measures the City is taking, now, to reduce CO2 and energy in accord with the latest science.

Where are we on joining the UK's 10:10, for example? Where I can read the 2008 GHG Inventory report, promised in September? Which ideas are we implementing from the blue chip "Moving Cooler study?

Thank you.

Jim Rothstein

City of Santa Cruz - GHG (1996-2008)

Using the City's data, I plotted 2 graphs.



Although the City has reduced CO2 emissions since 1996, the top pie chart shows the contribution from each sector.   (Transportation has actually increased; the biggest decrease is Commerce - due to factory closing before 2000).

The second shows the relative contributions to the total.  Again, transportation with about 50% is main CO2 contributor.

350 Santa Cruz - Less than 24 hours to go!

October 24, 2009 is becoming an historic day!  (See on Twitter, #350ppm)

Thousands of events in 174 countries - all focused on Climate Change (350.org)

Copenhagen in 44 days!

In Santa Cruz, please attend the Saturday events of your choice plus the march (12:30 pm - far end of Wharf) and rally.  Please bring your children, and help make 350 Santa Cruz a NO IMPACT, zero waste day.

Why we need you?  Not all Americans understand the peril.
Thanks to the many, many people who are helping in Santa Cruz and to the 350 Santa Cruz Coalition.

Latest Info

Why 350?  McKibben's Op-ed piece in today's Boston Globe.350.org

350 Santa Cruz: ( http://www.350.org/action-list?country=us&city=Santa+Cruz)
Facebook: 350 Santa Cruz  (http://www.facebook.com/pages/350-Santa-Cruz/144995913483)
Twitter: 350SantaCruz (http://twitter.com/350SantaCruz)

Event List  (confirmed as of 10-23-09)

updates  here: (http://www.350.org/action-list?country=us&city=Santa+Cruz)


Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, 10:00am - 5 pm, all day, http://santacruzmuseums.org/
Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History invites everyone to stop by and watch some or all of the film, which will be shown through the day.
(Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, http://santacruzmuseums.org/ 1305 East Cliff Drive)

Hoisting The Sails to 350: An Oceanic Plea for Greenhouse Gas Reduction.  http://www.350.org/node/8842
Three boats will set sail with banners displaying the number 350, between Santa Cruz Harbor and The West Cliff Lighthouse, view from end of Wharf.
(Greg Cotten and a City of Santa Cruz: Climate Action Team.)

350 and Practical Activism at UCSC, 11 am - 5 pm, http://www.350.org/node/8649

March: Wharf To Town Clock, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm, http://www.350.org/node/8842
(Santa Cruz 350  Coalition Initiative)  Meet at far end of Wharf, bring signs.


350 Peace Flags and Drawings of the Earth, 1 pm, Town Clock, http://www.350.org/node/8842
(Santa Cruz School Children)


Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Through Diet, 2 pm - 4 pm, http://www.350.org/node/8842
(Santa Cruz Vegetarian Meetup) Emphasis on information and food choices.


Mock Trial of Internal Combustion Engine,  2 pm, Town Clock, presiding judge: Hon Fred Keeley, http://www.350.org/node/8842
(People Power)  Features Bill Monning as Bailiff to read charges leveled against defendant, Micah Posner as idealistic pro bono defense attorney.


Main Rally with Speakers, Town Clock, 2pm - 4pm, http://www.350.org/node/8842
(Santa Cruz 350 Collision Initiative) Includes Ross Clark (SC climate czar), Lupa Brunjes (BioCharEnergy.com), Cheryl (Lower Carbon Footprint Through Diet), James Barsimantov (Science & Government Policy; UCSC and EcoShiftConsulting.com) + guests!


Potluck Dinner/Live Music/Presentations, and Movie Event, at Live Oak Grange, http://www.350.org/node/8842
Producer Maria Terezinha Vaz and Director Giovanni
Vaz Del Bello will be showing their environmental film: A
Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions from Curitibia, Brazil.
(Transitions Santa Cruz)

Simultaneously, people in every corner of the world will be taking similar action, from climbers with 350 banners high on the melting slopes of Mount Everest to government officials in the Maldive Islands holding an underwater cabinet meeting to demand action on climate change before their nation disappears.

November 1 - 30, 2009
Climate Change Book Exhibit at Santa Cruz Public Library

Press Coverage

SC Weekly
Interview Climatologist Dr. Schneider (http://news.santacruz.com/2009/10/21/interview_with_climatologist_dr._stephen_schneider)

350 Day and Activist Bill McKibben (http://news.santacruz.com/2009/10/20/activist_bill_mckibben_kicks_off_first_annual_350_day_of_action)

GT Weekly  (http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/santa-cruz-news/santa-cruz-environmental-news/237-a-day-of-action.html)

Earlier   (http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/santa-cruz-columns-commentary-oped/santa-cruz-editors-note-letters/170-this-weeks-editors-note-a-letters-to-good-times.html)


And watch for the Sentinel!

Oct 24 - Update October 2

Dear All:
[If you wish to be removed from this list, just let me know - apologies.]

Status: Oct 24  - International Climate Action Day

L.A. County Board of Supervisors "strongly urges" all 10 million residents of L.A. County 2 attend Oct 24 SouthBay 350 Climate action in MB!    (more below on LA)

-Two important NY Times articles today
-NY Times Editorial, (10/2/09) One Way or the Other - discusses Sen Boxer's legislation, EPA and Copenagen,
-Economics of Climate Stabilization, refers to 350.org  and discusses latest study that economic impact can be minimal, note call for biochar
-Spoke with Sen Boxer's office about our efforts and could appropriate staff person come on Oct 24 to discuss with our citizens, letter here.  (facebook)
-Send email to several faculty and staff at UCSC, Cabrillo, CSUMB - inquiring about 'teach-ins' more here
-Made a dozen or so phone calls to environmental groups (thx to County for assistance); several groups very interesting and things are snowballing
-Santa Cruz Public Library will host Book Exhibit on Climate Change, I will put together a list suggestions?  (Book collection in your school?)
-Trying to PG&E re: Oct 24 participation (thx Dan Haifley)
-another Oct 24 event in motion: Santa Cruz Vegetarians
-Cheryl of Vegetarians has offered to help and coordinate with other groups.
-Los Angeles, South Bay 350 - wishes us the "best", Look at what's happening
County of Los Angeles generously agreed today to supply buses for park and ride @ Manhattan Beach 350 Climate Action! HUGE help, Thanks LAC!  (Les White - ?)
-several others have offered to volunteer, but a few are confused that, in other cities, each organization is making its own events, posting them on 350.org.   Perhaps, then, some one like me is merely coordinating and pushing it along.  In others words, I don't belong to any group, I don't have any events, I just want others to do so!

What you can do:

1. Discuss Climate Change with your community, group, or family
2. Post an event for October 24 at 350.org
3. Sign the UN Petition: Seal the Deal!
4. Stay involved, please use one or more of the following:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/350-Santa-...
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=23463...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/scgreenwatch

What kind of events for October 24?   Here's what's happening in Denver.
It can be anything you like, potlucks, garden walk, religious service, teach-in.

Please keep 2-4 pm open for joint activity.

Letter to Supervisor Coonerty of Santa Cruz County

(Next post will discuss the September 30, 2009 Meeting)

September 25, 2009

Dear Supervisor Coonerty:

I am not a political person, but the need for swift action on climate change has drawn me closer to our government.   Unfortunately, the government actions and approaches I have seen, admittedly limited observations, are significantly unequal to the challenge.   You are correct that you can't just make rules, nor can I.   Our planet does not care about such issues. 

What this meeting is about is to find ways now to meet the challenge in Santa Cruz County.  Again, nature does not negotiate.

With 72 days until Copenhagen, this is my suggestion.  I think there can actually be many positive benefits.

1. (immediate) Full disclosure and full transparency of all data, documents, targets, deadlines, risks, open issues, etc related to energy use, transportation and eCO2 emissions in Santa Cruz county.  If you ("you" means county or local government) do not have information:  say it clearly.
2. (immediate) Appeal to all  families, community groups, churches, non-profits, schools, grocery stores, homeless, universities, even your enemies to encourage immediate vigorous debate, ideas and action  on climate change.  Give people the power to talk on street corners; to become truly informed citizens.  Intelligently, use all the resources of our talented, diverse community to plan, innovate, educate, act; we all know this much bigger than government.  (more below)  Let every child know how to calculate the CO2 emisssions from the family car and feel the work it takes to run a house for a hour (stair master isn't enough!).
   
3. (before Thanksgiving of this year) Completion, verification, full public disclosure of all Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, energy use  and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Santa Cruz County, both for baseline year and current.  Do this as per ICLEI protocols, or the most aggressive recognized methods in the international community. 
   
4. (before Thanksgiving of this year) Adoption of immediate, aggressive eCO2 reduction targets.   Borrow ideas from other communities; we need action. 10x10 (10% reduction by 12/31/10), 12x12 etc.  Seal the Deal!
   
5. (October 24, 2009) Urge huge Santa Cruz rally (use buses), teach-ins, education, commitment on International Climate Action Day
   
6. (Thanksgiving of this year) Deliver focused, clear, accurate materials, videos, websites, outreach programs, goals to engage every organization and family in this community.  Be ready for what comes back; and keep the focus on action.
7. (UN: Climate Change Conference - Copenhagen)   Show the local results to prove Santa Cruz County is a world leader. 
8. (December 1, 2010 - on)  Measure and present the results; keep our community focused and the acting; and always do what is necessary without delay.  Never adjourn with out action.   And, apologies if pedantic, never attempt to fool nature; never.
   

In a sentence, I am calling upon you, the supervisors and the government of Santa Cruz County to lead, to govern - not merely manage, by demonstrating urgency, openness, unity, political will and utter determination to get CO2 down now and every year following.    Find a way.   There is just no more time.


Thank you.

72 Days to UN Climate Conference: Santa Cruz Library to have Exhibit

Suggestions welcome: 

In honor of UN Climate Conference in December, the Santa Cruz Public library has asked me to help organize a collection of books, posters, photographs in both the children's section and main floor. I have ideas, but open to... everyone's thoughts. 

Should it shock or just educate; how to engage and not preach?

Letter to Supervisor Coonerty of Santa Cruz County

 Sent by email.
I will meet with him on September 30 for 1/2 hour.

 9/25/2009
 
Dear Supervisor Coonerty:

I am not a political person, but the need for swift action on climate change has drawn me closer to our government.   Unfortunately, the government actions and approaches I have seen, admittedly limited observations, are significantly unequal to the challenge.   You are correct that you can't just make rules, nor can I.   Our planet does not care about such issues. 

What this meeting is about is to find ways now to meet the challenge in Santa Cruz County.  Again, nature does not negotiate.

With 72 days until Copenhagen, this is my suggestion.  I think there can actually be many positive benefits.

1. (immediate) Full disclosure and full transparency of all data, documents, targets, deadlines, risks, open issues, etc related to energy use, transportation and eCO2 emissions in Santa Cruz county.  If you ("you" means county or local government) do not have information:  say it clearly.
2. (immediate) Appeal to all  families, community groups, churches, non-profits, schools, grocery stores, homeless, universities, even your enemies to encourage immediate vigorous debate, ideas and action  on climate change.  Give people the power to talk on street corners; to become truly informed citizens.  Intelligently, use all the resources of our talented, diverse community to plan, innovate, educate, act; we all know this much bigger than government.  (more below)  Let every child know how to calculate the CO2 emisssions from the family car and feel the work it takes to run a house for a hour (stair master isn't enough!).
   
3. (before Thanksgiving of this year) Completion, verification, full public disclosure of all Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, energy use  and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in Santa Cruz County, both for baseline year and current.  Do this as per ICLEI protocols, or the most aggressive recognized methods in the international community. 
   
4. (before Thanksgiving of this year) Adoption of immediate, aggressive eCO2 reduction targets.   Borrow ideas from other communities; we need action. 10x10 (10% reduction by 12/31/10), 12x12 etc.  Seal the Deal!
   
5. (October 24, 2009) Urge huge Santa Cruz rally (use buses), teach-ins, education, commitment on International Climate Action Day
   
6. (Thanksgiving of this year) Deliver focused, clear, accurate materials, videos, websites, outreach programs, goals to engage every organization and family in this community.  Be ready for what comes back; and keep the focus on action.
7. (UN: Climate Change Conference - Copenhagen)   Show the local results to prove Santa Cruz County is a world leader. 
8. (December 1, 2010 - on)  Measure and present the results; keep our community focused and the acting; and always do what is necessary without delay.  Never adjourn with out action.   And, apologies if pedantic, never attempt to fool nature; never.
   

In a sentence, I am calling upon you, the supervisors and the government of Santa Cruz County to lead, to govern - not merely manage, by demonstrating urgency, openness, unity, political will and utter determination to get CO2 down now and every year following.    Find a way.   There is just no more time.


Thank you.

Plastic Bag Ban - Applaud Santa Cruz Sentinel's Editorial, Santa Cruz Weekly

Recycling does not work.

Applaud the Sentinel's clear support of a plastic bag ban for Santa Cruz, even if it invites industry ligitation.  Enacting this would be an opportunity for Santa Cruz to demonstrate its commitment to doing the right thing.

Santa Cruz Weekly is also voicing concern, and in this about Oceans meeting.

Considering banning plastic bottled water, too.   Santa Cruz water is excellent and like all tap water, heavily regulated to insure safety.

Why?
Read the report from Project Kaisei on the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in SJ Mercury News.

Full Sentinel editorial

Banning Plastic:
http://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/19/plastic-bag-wars-poised-to-continue/
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0721-04.htm

City of Santa Cruz - Water Department

With 90-degree temperatures and a Stage 2 water shortage, water is very much on our minds.  At the the last City Water Commission meeting (August 24, 2009), two presentations were particularly important:

Toby Goddard, the city's Water Conservation Manager, presented a status report.   Here are some of the highlights (his full report: Status Report on 2009 Water Restrictions)

• About 1/2 of our water comes from the San Lorenzo River.   However, this year the daily flow is substantially below the 72-year average flow (about 1/3 below).
• The city's goal for May-October water usage is a 15% reduction.
  
• Several large customers have reduced their water usage more than 15%.  (thanks)
  
• In May and June daily water demand reduced by 15% (great!), but since July use has started to rise and  we must be  careful.
• Overall, Mr. Goddard is pleased with the results to-date.   Unlike previous shortages, water users are recognizing the need to improve watering and irrigation systems, reduce flow in shower heads and change some wasteful behavior.
• Mr. Goddard attributes the conservation to public cooperation and greater awareness.  His department is eager to work with consumers, educate and assist with problems.

Terry Tompkins, a chemist and Deputy Director/Operations Manager of Graham Hill Road Treatment Plant, spoke on water quality and the disinfection process.   This is much more complicated then adding a bit of chlorine to the water; it a remarkably complicated chemical and biological system, subject to changing federal regulations and priorities and, of course, changing water and biological conditions.   It is a delicate system to keep in balance.

Our water system is  really a patch work of 6 water systems, with only 1 treatment plant to treat the water before we drink it.   In other words, Graham Hill can't go offline for more than a few hours.   Fortunately, most of us can take this for granted.  Mr. Tompkins does not.

Mr. Tompkins spoke of potential problem with by-products of the disinfection process.   Today, we are fine, well within federal safety margins.  But he is thinking ahead.

Modern water filtration systems use membrane technologies, which are relatively new and still quite expensive.   There are alternatives, one process requires flushing the system of 50 million gallons of water, not a popular choice in a water shortage.  At this meeting, Mr. Tompkins was alerting the Commission to the possible need to purchase such a membrane, at an estimated cost of $40-$50 million. [Update 9/8/09 - the Water Department is currently re-examining lower cost solutions with comparable water quality without using expensive membrane technology.]

SAVE WATER.   It really is precious.



City of Santa Cruz Water Department
http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/wt/

City of Santa Cruz Water Department - Conservation
http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/wt/conservation/index.html

City of Santa Cruz Water Department - Water Shortage Contingency Plan

http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/wt/conservation/pdf/WaterShortageContingencyPlan.pdf

City of Santa Cruz - Water Commission - August 24, 2009 Report (.pdf)
http://www.scribd.com/share/upload/15245392/wobopgqufcskjw0untf


Sentinel Article on  Water
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/rss/ci_13200783?source=rss

Algae and Santa Cruz

I found Laura Chesky's As Green As It Gets (GTWeekly, August 19, 2009) a fascinating article about potential for harvesting oil from algae in Santa Cruz. .

Here's a very clear explanation of why algae harvesting isn't so easy, by Amada Leigh Haag, who's been covering algae for awhile for several publications.

This morning I spoke with Peter Koht, the city's Economic Development Coordinator.   He cautioned that the timeline in the GTWeekly article might be a little "optimistic" (probably will not start this year) since it takes time for permits and approvals.

But Koht is very excited about the project and considers Jonathan Trent, the NASA scientist, to be quite a visionary, even a "genius" with very sharp ideas.   Google has helped fund the algae project.   Officially, the city has offered to help the AlgaeOMEGA project obtain permits, but not formally endorsed the project.

Not just in Santa Cruz, but I've been hearing about algae research in Watsonville, as well as over the hill.  Will post when I hear.

Santa Cruz Green Watch: Mission & Background

Mission:
This very local blog is an attempt to provide simple, direct, useful information about  very complex issues related to the environment, sustainability and the political process in Santa Cruz, California.


Background:
Occasionally, you will see posts/comments about China, where I lived for the past 5 years.

Daily life is so different that I don't think I can explain any of it:

• Sidewalks for cars, streets for people; 
• grown children returning from far-away cities to buy a brand new apartments for parents, cash on the table; 
• a culture of do, but don't speak; 
• vomiting in the street; spitting on the floor
  
• endless hard bargaining; 
• train stations the size of football fields, but more packed; 
• discuss the future, never, ever the past; 
• red envelopes; 
• 20 minutes to select a watermelon; 
• a land of 1.3 billion people all quite "clever", who just want "a good life."

Yet there are things we can learn from the Chinese; and things they can learn from us.

When an old building or even an entire city block comes down in China - a frequent event - a group of poorer, usually migrant, workers suddenly appears to salvage, sort, clean anything of possible value, by hand:    bricks. old pipes, toilets, wire, plastic.    They seem to work 24/7, light or dark, rain or shine - it is a business.  It is the same in a village.  Reuse has been a part of Chinese culture for ages.

On the other hand, when I asked a local government official,  fluent in English and a visitor to over 80 countries in his official position,  about the quality of new buildings, he said: "As soon as we finish one building, we have to build another one.  We have to build quickly.    The need is urgent.  We are behind and we must catch up."  Albeit, he omitted mention of the self-interest that many officials have. 

I returned to the US to be simultaneously shocked by parts of our own culture, yet energized by the challenges we as a people and species face.... "We are behind and we must catch up."  Wake up.

The writer has BS in physics (MIT), MS physics (U. Chicago) and MBA (U. Chicago).