presented by kathy conway co-facilitator socan ppt available at //socan.info/presentations-2
TRANSCRIPT
Climate Change:So What Can I
Do? Presented by Kathy Conway
Co-Facilitator SOCAN
PPT available at http://socan.info/presentations-2/
Today’s Goal
That Climate Change poses a serious threat to current and future generations is beyond reasonable doubt.
This discussion will explore what we can do individually and collectively to avoid the worst case projected consequences.
Plan
Rogue Valley Projections Climate Change Basics What are the gases? Where do these gases come from? How do we use Fossil Fuels in the Rogue Valley? If we’re ready to take action – what do we do?
Projections for Pacific Northwest from US Climate Assessment-1
(Released May 6, 2014)
Changes in the timing of stream-flow related to changing snowmelt are already observed and will continue, reducing
the supply of water for many competing demands and causing far-reaching ecological and socioeconomic consequences.
Projections for Pacific Northwest from US Climate Assessment-2
The combined impacts of increasing wildfire, insect outbreaks, and tree diseases are already causing widespread tree die-off and are virtually certain to cause additional forest mortality by the 2040s and long-term transformation of forest
landscapes. Under higher emissions scenarios, extensive conversion of subalpine forests to other forest types is
projected by the 2080s.
Projections for Pacific Northwest from US Climate Assessment-3
While the agriculture sector’s technical ability to adapt to changing conditions can offset some adverse impacts of a
changing climate, there remain critical concerns for agriculture with respect to costs for adaptation, development of more climate resilient technologies and management, and
availability and timing of water.
How did this happen?
Incoming Visible light
Transformed to
heat
Some heat is absorbed byatmospheric
gases
Remainder escapes
into space
Climate Change
Basics - I
WARNING:Not drawn to scale
Re-radiated out
This is the normal process - Where does the warming come in?
Atmosphere
If atmospheric gas density increases,
more heat is retained by this ‘thermalblanket’ of gases
War
min
g
Less escapes
into space
What are these gases?
Climate Change
Basics - II
Atmosphere
What are the gases that are responsible?
Carbon dioxide = CO2
Methane = Natural Gas
Oxides of Nitrogen
Which is the most serious contributor?
Where do these gases come from?
Sources of Most Warming Gases – Fossil FuelsCOAL NATURAL GASOIL / GASOLINE
How do we use Fossil Fuels in the Rogue
Valley??
Rogue Valley: Use of These Fuels
Private cars/trucksPublic TransitLocal Freight
Transportation32%
Energy24%
Materials = Stuff44%
Energy to make stuffEnergy to transport stuff here
Fossil Fuels for energy productionNatural gas for heatingEnergy used in homes
& local businesses
If we’re ready to take action – what do we do?
SET (Stuff, Energy, Transportation) your mind to do something
Preparation (adaptation) Reduction (mitigation)
In the past we thought about money when we talked about budgets. Now need to consider our Energy budget and Carbon budget.
Stuff (Materials)
Energy to make stuffEnergy to transport stuff here
Personal level Collective level
(Write down your ideas – one per sticky note)
Energy
Fossil Fuels for energy productionNatural gas for heating
Energy used in homes & local businesses
Personal level Collective level
(Write down your ideas – one per sticky note)
Transportation
Private cars/trucksPublic TransitLocal Freight
Personal level Collective level
(Write down your ideas – one per sticky note)
Additional Ideas for Stuff (Materials)
Energy to make stuffEnergy to transport stuff here
Personal level Buy from B-Corps Buy from companies who use less energy (wind/solar-not fossil fuel,
conserve) Collective level
Change codes and incentives for greater efficiency in manufacturing Encourage businesses to include carbon emissions in their decisions
Ideas for Energy
Fossil Fuels for energy productionNatural gas for heating
Energy used in homes & local businesses Personal level
Increase domestic energy efficiency (Clean Energy Works) Convert to renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal)
Collective level Encourage businesses to increase energy efficiency Establish incentives for businesses to increase energy efficiency Encourage businesses to use energy from renewable sources Change the laws to allow Aggregate Energy Purchasing (coops)
Ideas for Transportation
Personal level Buy a more efficient vehicle Buy an electric car and solar panels to
power it
Collective level Support development of bus/train
systems within & between cities Support ordinances to reduce/eliminate
idling Support efforts that increase vehicle fuel
efficiency
Private cars/trucksPublic TransitLocal Freight
Other
Personal level Divest from fossil fuels Encourage friends & family to reduce energy consumption Avoid credit card companies that promote misinformation about
climate change Collective level
Support candidates for elected office who are committed to action to address climate change
Climate Change:So What Can I
Do? Kathy Conway, Co-Facilitator SOCAN
SOCAN
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