SAN DIEGO, CA

San Diego Fighting Climate Change

San Diego is one of the cities that is getting hit with coastal climate control. San Diego is facing many challenges. Their sea levels are rising, causing pollution in the oceans. There are water shortages and floods constantly. This is because there at 16% fewer rainy days, but there is 8% more rain during storms causing floods. Once the sea levels rise, it takes any chemicals that humans waste causing pollution to our oceans. San Diego is dealing with many heat spells. Which then turn into wildfires. The population seems to be in issue in San Diego due to its popularity in attractions. San Diego is starting to see a high demand for housing, that does not yet exist. Additionally, there are many greenhouse gas emissions that are released into the air from cars and trucks polluting the area.

 

Changes/Solutions

• Abandon suburban developments in favor of building denser urban communities
  • Very expensive, only 76% out of reach for families making <%95,000
  • Widening highways
  • Large master plan communities far from urban job centers
• Housing built around transits
  • New rail lines around commuter corridors
• By 2035 San Diego hopes to use renewable resources for 100% of the city’s electricity

 

 

San Diego Action Plan

The city of San Diego has taken multiple steps in the right direction to combat their climate change problems. In 2006, Former Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger gave an executive order to establish a statewide goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions but 2050.

This started the statewide multiyear reduction program where San Diego was taking lead in tackling California’s climate change.

 

Safety as a Priority

Some things that the city of San Diego have identified actions that will contribute to the City’s future prosperity and quality of life include:

1. Furthering San Diego’s leadership in clean technology industries: renewable energy, information technology, manufacturing, and waste management.
2. Creating the “City of Villages” come to life with walkable and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, while also revitalizing neighborhoods. All while retaining their individual character.
3. Promoting active transportation and rapid transit systems to help improve the accessibility of the vulnerable in the city such as children, elderly, people with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged.
4. Fostering programs to create well-paying jobs. Implementation of the CAP will increase the demand for high growth “green” industries.
5. “Building communities that are resilient to climate change through the identification of vulnerabilities and the corresponding implementation of adaptation measures. These measures are intended to protect public health and safety; secure and maintain water supplies and services; protect and maintain urban infrastructure and community services; protect environmental quality; maintain open space, parks, and recreation; support coastal management and protection; promote urban forest management and local food production; improve building and occupant readiness; and enhance community education, knowledge and collaboration.”

 

 

San Diego has come up with 5 Strategies to reduce greenhouse emissions:

1. 1. 1. 1. ENERGY & WATER EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
         2. CLEAN & RENEWABLE ENERGY
         3. BICYCLING, WALKING, TRANSIT, & LAND USE
         4. ZERO WASTE: GAS A& WASTE MANAGEMENT
         5. CLIMATE RESILIENCY

 

Art and Design in the Solution

There are many things that Art and Design professionals are doing for the city of San Diego. There are several groups in San Diego that have many different types of professionals working together to combat climate change. For example, planners are working with designers to create a climate-friendly city. This involves urban design planners, engineers, and landscape architects to create a space that will not only be resilient but also look aesthetically pleasing.

Below are two groups that focus on the community needs, inform San Diego about Climate Change, and host climate change events:

• Climate Kids
  • This is a program that educates kids on climate change and is very active in SD
  • Explore Outdoors- Field trips to Cabrillo National Monument, Living Coast Discovery Center, San Diego Zoo, Batiquitos Lagoon
  • Climate artwork shop where art is displayed at the Art of Change art show
  • Hands-on Science lesson with regional scientists and experts from various disciplines; regional research projects
• San Diego 350
  • Global Climate Walkout
  • Art Climate Walkout- kids, adults, elders make signs to carry for the walkout
  • South Bay Eco Justice on Tap
  • Addressing Climate Crisis through Meditation and Action

 

Sources

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/story/2019-06-22/climate-change-california-affordable-housing-crisis

https://sandiego350.org/

https://www.climatekids.org/san-diego

https://www.climatesciencealliance.org/buildingresilience

https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/final_july_2016_cap.pdf