At our February meeting, Robert and Kelly will present an update on building electrification activities in the San Diego region. This presentation will include a recap of why building electrification is important, comments on the recent gas stoves “controversy,” and what incentives are available. They will also review the City of San Diego’s CAP Strategy 1 on “Decarbonization of the Built Environment”, and their plans for this year. The presentation will close with a discussion of why hydrogen blending for buildings is an expensive and superfluous approach.
Building Electrification has become a nation-wide conversation as our country looks for ways to lower green-house gas emissions. Please join us for this important conversation and learn how our region is leading the way towards decarbonization. The LWV San Diego is part of the Building Electrification Coalition.
Dr. Ron Askeland from SD-SEQUEL presented at our January meeting on the ongoing progress towards a gas-powered leaf blower ban. Running a gas-powered leaf blower for one hour creates the same amount of air pollution as running a car for 11 hours. Eliminating 400 leaf blowers is the same as taking 37,000 cars off the road. Two-stroke engines are the worst. They are also noisy; some people are particularly bothered by the noise. They increase asthma and neurological damage, especially for workers using them constantly. For more information and equipment upgrade voucher incentive information, visit sd-sequel.org.
Also presenting at our January meeting was Kati DeBolt, who discussed the destruction of chaparral and open space in Poway. For more information on what is being done, visit preservewildpoway.org.
The Environment Committee of the San Diego City Council is asking for input on their committee work plan. Register your priorities by taking their survey: Public Input Request for Environment Committee Work Plan.
Next Environmental Justice meeting: February 28 at 10am. Join with Zoom.
The SEAC Environmental Justice Subcommittee continues to research the intersection between climate change and health. Last meeting we discussed an article titled “A Hotter Planet Takes Another Toll on Human Health,” by Bill Mc Kibben. This paper focuses on people working and living in hotter climates, with the end result being organ damage and possible needs for organ transplants (such as kidneys). Most of the world’s workers are not protected by organizations such as OSHA, and are put at great risk to their health from lack of fresh water and shade while working in hot climates. We will continue looking at San Diego City and County entities and how they are working with the public regarding Heat Risk Education and Warning Messages.
Water Interest Group
by Anne Omsted, Chair
Next meeting: Review past speakers and plan for the coming year. February 14 at 3pm. Join with Zoom.
In January, the group heard from Jennifer Gaines, Project and Planning Supervisor for planning staff within the County of San Diego’s Watershed Protection Program. Did you know that no runoff of water from a private or public parcel of land is legal? By simply reviewing the regulation of stormwater and runoff water, she taught us how carefully state laws try to monitor and control what happens in this area.
Zero Waste Tips
