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<\/a>The purpose of this conference was to reach a new, legally binding international agreement limiting the rise of greenhouse-gas emissions. Specifically, the conference called for all countries to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius. If global warming exceeds 2 degrees Celsius, we can expect more climate extremes, such as severe drought (something Californians know all too well) and intense temperatures globally.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important that all nations decrease their climate footprint, use more renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gases. Climate change is one of the greatest dangers the world faces, so that\u2019s why it was so critical that President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry were leading the U.S. contingent, to show the world that we are committed to reducing our climate impact.<\/p>\n
Most heads of state at the conference are national leaders, but because of California\u2019s vanguard position on climate \u2014 which sets strong renewable-energy goals \u2014 our delegation was invited to attend. Governor Jerry Brown, Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon and I led the California delegation to COP 21.<\/p>\n
While many of the international participants were working on the global-warming agreement, one of my priorities was getting a better understanding of climate change at the local level, particularly its impact on San Diego\u2019s military bases.<\/p>\n
Climate change increases global instability \u2014 leading to more hunger, poverty, and conflict \u2014 and creates more severe weather events that threaten military installations, affect training exercises, strain equipment, and endanger supply lines.<\/p>\n
But one of the biggest threats to the military is sea-level rise.<\/p>\n
The Scripps Institute of Oceanography has found that during the next 35 years, San Diego will be prone to major flooding and massive storms. If we don\u2019t act quickly, sea level in our region could be 5 to 24 inches higher by 2050. Implementing effective climate-change policies at the state and local levels is a vital part of the equation. I am proud to have been invited to help represent California, and our national security concerns was among my areas of focus.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve all seen post-apocalyptic films with themes about how our lack of action ruins the environment and imperils our future. We all must come together, from international leaders to local farmers, in order to keep those dystopian stories where they belong: Hollywood.<\/p>\n
As we move forward in addressing climate change, I hope San Diegans will be an important part of shaping what we do and underscoring the urgency of how soon we need to do it.<\/p>\n
Supporting Becky\u2019s House<\/strong>. The holidays are a festive time, but for anyone who is suffering or struggling to make ends meet, they can be a serious and painful challenge.<\/p>\n