San Diego Takes On Climate Change
Joining a short list of metropolitan clean energy leaders facing climate change challenges, the San Diego city council has voted to have 100% renewable energy by 2035. Other cities taking similar steps to reduce greenhouse gases include San Francisco, Paris, and Vancouver, Canada.
Following the vote, San Diego now stands as the largest of US cities to back a 100% renewable energy plan.Mayor Kevin Faulconer led this city’s launch of what is a legally binding Climate Action Plan (CAP) intended to significantly reduce climate change impacts taking place.
The San Diego CAP employs five core strategies:
- Energy & water efficient buildings
- Clean & renewable energy
- Biking, walking & transit goals
- Zero waste
- Climate resiliency
“Today San Diego took a landmark step toward securing a greener and more prosperous future,” Faulconer said in a press announcement. “We’ve done something remarkable, bringing business and environmental interests together in a bipartisan manner to support a cleaner community and a stronger economy.”
Roadmap for switching to 100% renewable energy
The climate plan outlines specific steps the city and its residents will take over the next 20 years to slash emissions. The CAP includes these actions:
- Installing EV charging stations
- Asking residents to use public transit
- Expanding city’s recycling and composting programs
- Enforcing energy efficiency requirements for city buildings
- Transitioning to solar, wind and water power energy sources
In interviews, Faulconer has said while this will not be an easy undertaking, it is one that can be achieved.”I know it won’t be easy, but at the same time when we look at the world-class leadership we’re doing already on solar, energy just as one example here in San Diego, we can build upon that.”
The CAP has earned praise from many citizens and environmental advocates. It has also earned praise from this reporter.
Image via Shutterstock
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