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.