Presentation Transcript

1. Climate Change:So What Can I Do?

   Presented by Kathy Conway Co-Facilitator SOCAN PPT available at http://socan.info/presentations-2/
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.
3. 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?
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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?
7. Climate Change Basics - I Transformed toheat Remainder escapesinto space Re-radiated out Some heat is absorbed by atmospheric gases Incoming Visible light WARNING: Not drawn to scale This is the normal process - Where does the warming come in? Atmosphere
8. Climate Change Basics - II Less escapesinto space If atmospheric gas density increases, more heat is retained by this ‘thermalblanket’ of gases Warming Atmosphere What are these gases?
9. 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?
10. Sources of Most Warming Gases – Fossil Fuels COAL OIL / GASOLINE NATURAL GAS How do we use Fossil Fuels in the Rogue Valley??
11. Rogue Valley: Use of These Fuels Fossil Fuels for energy production Natural gas for heating Energy used in homes & local businesses Energy 24% Transportation 32% Private cars/trucks Public Transit Local Freight Materials = Stuff 44% Energy to make stuff Energy to transport stuff here
12. 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.
13. Stuff (Materials) Energy to make stuff Energy to transport stuff here Personal level Collective level (Write down your ideas – one per sticky note)
14. Energy Fossil Fuels for energy production Natural gas for heating Energy used in homes & local businesses Personal level Collective level (Write down your ideas – one per sticky note)
15. Transportation Private cars/trucks Public Transit Local Freight Personal level Collective level (Write down your ideas – one per sticky note)
16. Additional Ideas for Stuff (Materials) Energy to make stuff Energy 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
17. Ideas for Energy Fossil Fuels for energy production Natural 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)
18. 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/trucks Public Transit LocalFreight
19. 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

20. Climate Change:So What Can I Do?

    Kathy Conway, Co-Facilitator SOCAN kathleendconway@gmail.com Socan.info
21. SOCAN Monthly meetings on Last Tuesday at Medford Public Library 6:00-6:30 Special Topics 6:30-8:00 General Meeting Variety of Projects (http://socan.info/projects/) Sign up to receive notices about meetings and climate change information