In June, Pacific Beach Planning Group heard about a climate action plan that seeks to fight global warming by weaning the city from using nonrenewable energy sources onto renewable energy sources over time. “We’re urging the mayor and city council to support a climate action plan that would require the city to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2035,” said Nicole Capretz, of the Environmental Health Coalition. “It is legally binding, meaning the city would be required to achieve that goal.” A carbon “footprint” is defined as the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by an organization, event, product or person. Warning that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have already exceeded a level most scientists consider to be safe and could cause climate change on a global scale, Capretz said, “We need to take action. This threat is severe.” Citing the ongoing California drought as one example, Capretz noted the prospect of climate change is “really scary.” She added Mission Beach is most at risk locally from the prospect of global sea level rise caused by gradual polar meltdown. The environmental advocate said the burning of fossil fuels for transportation is the biggest driver of climate change. She said the best solution to turning the tide on carbon dioxide increases and climate change is to push for 100 percent use of renewable fuels while also advocating for 50 percent of people using transportation alternatives other than cars. “We expect the city council to take action on this plan in the next few months,” Capretz said. More information is available at climateactioncampaign.org. In other action: • Planner Eve Anderson noted that Great News cookware, open in PB since 1977, is closing.
• Planner Chris Olson said he will be termed out from the planning group for a year starting in 2016. He said that he will continue to be involved, but he urged local residents to step forward and help with ongoing work on the Eco-District and other environmentally friendly projects in the community.