Should The Air Show Go On?
Ruth Sandven | Published on 4/29/2023
Should The Air Show Go On?
For the May meeting SEAC will host Gary Butterfield of Veteran’s For Peace whose current campaign addresses the “military’s outsized contribution to the climate crisis”. The U.S. Military is the world’s largest consumer of gas and oil and therefore the largest contributor to greenhouse gasses worldwide. San Diego, having the highest concentration of active-duty military in the world, hosts The Blue Angels Airshow- an airshow that “produces pollution for entertainment purposes”. Join us as Veteran’s For Peace questions if the show should go on.
Our April speaker from the Desert Research Institute discussed the research on the increasing risks of heat on human health. Heat can accelerate existing medical conditions. The DRI studied four focus groups of a total of 43 people from San Diego County regarding
heat; represented were universities, schools, government, and non-profits. Each group also either worked with or lived in an underserved community.
DRI concluded that there is a gap between educators and receivers on heat risk education and warning messaging. A fully coordinated campaign (as opposed to crisis management) is being developed and will be offered to established community groups (schools, health groups, churches) who have trusted relationships with community members and can provide bi-directional interaction between the messenger and the intended receivers.
The Environmental Justice Subcommittee will include this data as it continues its study of the intersection of climate change and health and plans how we can further education of this critical climate issue.
I hope you were able to attend our March meeting with Justin Daniels of the Native Plant Society! His photos of the desert super-bloom were gorgeous and he shared secret spots for wildflower hiking! Just in case you are wondering, November is the best time to spread your wildflower seeds.
I am still looking for a Co-Chair for SEAC! Please join me in leading this dynamic group of interesting people and important topics! Email me: ruths@lwvsandiego.org