Campaign Updates
Here are just a few of the projects the Climate Change Program is working on as part of our effort to maintain and improve the health of our beautiful "Range of Light."
Again, welcome to the new newsletter from the Sierra Nevada Alliance’s Climate Change program – The Sierra Resource!
For the past couple of years, we have provided you with Sierra-specific campaign updates, resources, events, and top news regarding Climate Change and Land Use through two different monthly newsletters. By combining these two newsletters, we believe we will be able to more effectively keep you updated on the Regional Climate Change program, which focuses as much on land use and resource planning as climate change, as well as related information from Alliance Member Groups, partners, and the wider world.
We want to make sure this newsletter is valuable to you, so please send us your feedback at any time!
What does the election mean for Climate Change?
By Anna Olsen
Regional Climate Change Program Intern, Sierra Nevada Alliance
The first mention of climate change during the election came during the President’s victory speech - only ten words out of the 2000 words:
"We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet."
But does that mean major changes on the climate change front? The President will likely stay the course he is currently on in regards to energy and environmental policies. His environmental initiatives from the first term including stricter fuel economy standards and regulations on coal-fired power plants are less likely to be repealed. Additionally, a second term means the Obama administration will need to carry out U.S. commitments made in climate talks at Copenhagen and Durban to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 4 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and to craft a global agreement by 2015 to combat climate change.
Going into his second term, President Obama is again likely facing opposition in Congress, but again can utilize the EPA to create new standards. But this time, experts and environmental groups are wary of how to achieve a clean-energy future and say the biggest chance of passing initiatives is by circumventing Congress entirely. The makeup of Congress is not changing much, so the question comes down to if the Republicans in the House will be as uncompromising as they have been in the past few years, or if they are feeling the effects of climate change themselves.
The amount of Americans that believe global warming is real has also grown. According to a 2012 study by the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, 70 percent believe in global warming, a 13 percentage percent increase from two and half years ago. Additionally, 54 percent of Americans believe global warming is caused mostly by human activities, an 8 percent increase just since this past March. With the public more aware, will this open the door for more sweeping climate change reform.
You can read more about the information presented at:
Climate Change Action and More Drilling Likely in Obama’s Second Term
Scientific American, David Biello , 11.07.12
Is Washington Ready to Act on Climate Change?
TheDailyBeast.com, Miranda Green, 11.09.12
California State Issues
The major issue with respect to Climate Change in California was Proposition 39, named the "Clean Energy Jobs Act". The measure is to raise $1 billion annually for the state, with the money to be split between the general fund and a new $500-million program to promote green buildings.
With the passage, the state will create the Clean Energy Job Creation Fund. Money from the fund will be used to create jobs in California improving energy efficiency and expanding clean energy generation by focusing on retrofits to schools and other public buildings. Additional funds will go to job training programs and Property Assessed Clean Energy programs in public-private partnerships.
The measure passed overwhelmingly 60.2% to 39.8%
Sierra Nevada Issues
There were several Supervisor openings within the Sierra Nevada counties. The county supervisors are vital for land use changes playing an important role in determining the patterns of growth and development.
Click here to view the changes for Sierra Nevada County Supervisors
Resources
Position Opening: Executive Director,
The Foothill Conservancy
Description: The Executive Director is responsible for program development and management, capacity building, fundraising, personnel management, board support, community and media relations, communications, finance, and planning. The executive director position requires extensive public contact and sound judgment to ensure that Foothill Conservancy activities are managed consistent with the organization’s approved policies, procedures, principles and strategies.
Location: Pine Grove-Pioneer, CA
Contact Information:
jobs@foothillconservancy.org no later than Friday, November 23. No calls, please
Click here for more information.
Position Opening: Advocacy Coordinator,
American Lung Association in California, Fresno
Description: The Advocacy Coordinator will focus on advocacy and outreach activities to promote the smart growth requirements of Senate Bill 375, California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act. The Advocacy Coordinator will represent the American Lung Association at local and regional meetings related to land use and transportation planning, identify and recruit health organizations, physicians and health professionals in the San Joaquin Valley to engage in the SB 375 process, join the lung association’s advocacy network, the Health Professionals for Clean Air. The Advocacy Coordinator will raise awareness among local and regional elected officials and the public of the health impacts caused by air pollution and climate change; and advocate within regional planning processes for the inclusion of health-promoting land use and transportation strategies.
Application Requirements: TWO documents, both in Word or pdf format: 1) Formal Cover letter that includes your specific qualifications for this position, salary requirements and why you are interested in this position; and 2)Resume
Contact Information:
American Lung Association in California
Human Resources Department
424 Pendleton Way
Oakland, CA 94621
Fax: 1-866-522-1681
cajobs@lung.org
Click here for more information.
Announcing a new online home for the
National Complete Streets Coalition
After a summer of working on the details of this transition, we are proud to announce a new online home for the Coalition. The new web home has all the same great resources for Complete Streets advocates and practitioners. Learn about what makes a Complete Street, discover how local leaders are changing policy across the country, find out about bringing the Coalition to your town or city, and see other ways you can get involved.
Click here to explore the NCSC's new online home.
California Climate Change Vulnerability and Adaptation Study
In 2012 California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) concluded two years of work involving over 120 researchers from seven UC campuses and other institutions. Comprised of over 30 reports, this expansive study of California’s vulnerability to climate change addresses questions like: What do rising sea levels mean for coastal communities? With the vital Sierra snowpack shrinking, can California ensure ample water for homes and for its world-leading agriculture and wine industries? And, as temperatures climb, where is California most at risk for devastating wildfires or public-health threats to our most vulnerable citizens? The results reported below give planners, public-health officials, land-use managers, and others the research-backed basis they need to develop strategies to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Click here for more information.
Comic of the Month
Newsletter contents prepared by Anna Olsen.
If you have articles, events or announcements that you would like included in this newsletter or if you have feedback, please email anna@sierranevadaalliance.org.
