Climate Crisis: A Call to Action
Greta Thunberg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAJsdgTPJpU
Greta Thunberg at the U.N. Sep 23, 2019
Australia 2020
To limit warming to 1.5 o C. IPCC says reduce CO 2 emissions 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 Gigatons of Annual CO 2 Emissions 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2010 2020 2030 IPCC, Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C approved by governments, Oct. 8, 2018
Global Emissions Have Risen Gigatons of Annual CO 2 Emissions 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2010 2020 2030 IPCC path Our path
Proceed Immediately to Gigatons of Annual CO 2 Emissions Emergency Exit 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2010 2020 2030 IPCC path Our path Emergency Exit
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Scenarios 4.8 o C. 4.1 o C. 1.5 o C.
What is U.S. share of the global GHG budget? • At the end of 2017, the remaining global budget for GHG emissions was an est. 420 to 570 gigatons for a 66% chance of limiting global warming to 1.5 o C. • An equitable per captia distribution of cumulative emissions leaves 0 gigatons for the U.S.
The U.S. used up its share of cumulative global emissions in 1944. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/06/01/climate/us-biggest-carbon-polluter-in-history-will-it-walk-away-from-the-paris-climate-deal.html
Washington State Emissions have risen above 1990 levels https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/environment/washingtons-greenhouse-gas-emissions-continue-to- trend-higher-in-latest-inv
Washington State Gasoline Sales Rose 45% from 2011 to 2018 Thousands of Gallons per Day 6,000 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 - 2011 2013 2015 2017 Source https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=A103650531&f=M
Increase in Road CO 2 Emissions 1990 to 2017 Los Angeles 16% San Francisco 16% Portland, OR 24% New York 27% Washington D.C. 29% Chicago 66% Seattle 71% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% Source: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/10/10/climate/driving-emissions-map.html
Good News on Climate
We have the • knowledge, • technology, • resources, and • will to make the needed change.
Here and around the world the change is happening.
A network of Pacific Islanders active in 15 Pacific Island Nations • They have participated in the UN climate negotiations. • Pacific Climate Warriors blockaded coal shipments to Australia with their canoes to raise awareness. • The island nation of Tokelau switched over to 100% clean, renewable solar power in 2012. • Now they are pressuring Australian banks to divest from fossil fuels.
Lakota People’s LAW PROJECT Battling the Black Snake The LPLP and tens of thousands of supporters have joined the Standing Rock and other Indigenous nations in demanding the public hearing to oppose DAPL expansion and asking that the North Dakota Public Service Commission deny the dangerous plan to double DAPL's oil capacity. Take Action to Stop KXL. Send letters: Go to https://www.lakotalaw.org/our-campaigns/battling-black-snake
Cuban Agroecology and the creation of self- sufficient cities that prioritize: • organic farming methods, • the production of useful edible crops • the use of people & other Nearly 8,000 parcelas, or small lot animal labor, & recycled gardens, are found in Havana today. resources to farm city lands. Photo: Andy Cook
ECOCLIPPER in North Holland, Netherlands A company of sailors offers emission free transport and travel, by making use of engine-less sailing ships. https://ecoclipper.org/
� SUNRISE MOVEMENT Young people organizing to win the passage of the Green New Deal and elect climate justice leaders in 2020. “We are ordinary young people who are scared about what the climate crisis means for the people and places we love. . . if we unite by the millions, we can turn this into political power and elect leaders who stand up for the health and wellbeing of all people."
WSU Energy Program Using applied building science, they assist the construction industry, code officials, facility managers and homeowners to improve building efficiency. “The Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP), created by the Washington State Legislature in 2009, encourages homeowners and small businesses across the state to make energy efficiency retrofits and upgrades. The WSU Energy Program executes and manages these community-based programs.” http://energy.wsu.edu/
NAACP E NVIRONMENTAL AND C LIMATE J USTICE Helping Frontline Communities in the United States. Launched " Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation” Toolkit in 2019 . Leading Presidential forums in 2020 on: Economic Empowerment, Environmental Justice, and Education
Climate and environmental legislation in WA State are active and will need our support. Efforts will be focused on carbon limits, clean fuels, protecting our Southern Resident Orcas, mining project impacts, and more. Outside of state legislation, there is Climate Action Month coming up (March 22-April 22) and more Climate Strikes (June 2020).
Good News: Sweden’s Success nuclear power—34% “Sweden slashed its carbon emissions by hydro rapidly building out nuclear power plants power—47% while following a standard design, which is necessary to make it affordable.” —Steven Pinker
Good News: Sweden’s Success With a carbon tax , Sweden has seen dropping greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and a rising GDP.
Good News: Renewable Costs Falling
Good News: WA Clean Energy The Clean Energy Transformation Act commits Washington to an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. Signed in to law May 2019. Learn how you can comment on Washington state climate bills today.
Good News: Collective Action “Climate change is a collective problem that needs collective action… What exactly can you do? Well, you can vote —in elections, yes, but also with your voice , your time , and your money .” —Austin Brown, UC Davis
Good News on Climate
UW Climate Change Video Contest 2019 Responding to this question: Together we can tackle climate change. What would it take to turn the tide?
Judges’ Pick “Everyone Counts” by Danny Tayara
Today’s Panelists Andrea Axel Andrea Rodgers Stevan Harrell Spark Our Children’s Moderator Northwest Trust Eileen Quigley Jill Mangaliman Clean Energy Transition Got Green Institute
Recommend
More recommend