The Time for Climate Action is NOW
Smoky days like in September 2020 will be more likely going forward.
Unless we change course, the world will heat up by 2.7C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. To avoid climate catastrophe, we must keep levels below 2C, and ideally 1.5C. In order to achieve this goal, global carbon emissions must be drastically cut by 55% by 2030. We are already at 1.1C, and the time to take serious action is quickly running out. The reality is time is already up to prevent some of the consequences of climate change. The World Meteorological Organization says that extreme weather events such as California’s record-breaking wildfires or last month’s atmospheric river/bomb cyclone event are becoming the new normal.
This week’s COP26 Conference is seen as the last opportunity for the international community to come to a consensus on actionable goals for reducing carbon emissions. Several deals have already been made, including ending deforestation by 2030 and cutting methane emissions by 30% by the end of the decade. More agreements are expected during COP26, which runs through November 14, although time will tell if these goals are actually realized. While countries and major corporations have a huge role to play in curtailing the human impact on the environment, we all can do our part. In Berkeley, we have often led the way on environmental issues, with new concepts originating in our city becoming common practice throughout the world. Over the last few years, we have been advancing policies to meet the environmental challenges we are facing while reducing our carbon footprint. Here are some of the highlights.
Greening our Buildings and Energy
Berkeley made international headlines in 2019 when it became the first city in the country to require all new construction to be electrified, eliminating natural gas, a major contributor of greenhouse gases. Over the past two years, dozens of jurisdictions across the country have followed Berkeley’s lead, with Santa Clara becoming the 51st US city to phase out natural gas in new construction just last month. In 2018, natural gas accounted for 31% of greenhouse gases produced in the City of Berkeley (excluding UC Berkeley and the Berkeley Lab), making it the second largest contributor to GHGs in the city, behind transportation.
One of the first major pieces of legislation I introduced as Mayor was the Deep Green Building Initiative along with Councilmember Hahn in February 2017. This overarching proposal addresses a variety of recommendations for new and remodeled residential developments including achieving zero net energy or greater for buildings. For existing structures, education and community outreach has provided information on how to transition to electrification. The Energy Code has been updated to promote zero net energy, healthy building materials, and water conservation. The Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO) has been updated, requiring building owners and homeowners to complete and publicly report comprehensive energy assessments to uncover energy and GHG emissions saving opportunities. BESO is required prior to sale of a house or whole building under 25,000 square feet, and on a 5-year recurring cycle for large multifamily and commercial buildings.
In late 2016, Berkeley voted to join East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), a community-governed, local power supplier that provides cleaner, greener electricity to Alameda County residents and businesses, at rates that are lower or comparable to PG&E, with a focus on local renewable development. I was a long-time champion for community choice energy and was a founding member of the EBCE Board of Directors. EBCE began service in 2018, providing 86% GHG-free electricity. In June 2021, the Berkeley City Council voted to upgrade accounts to 100% renewable, from locally sourced wind and solar. These changes will go into effect in April 2022 for residential customers and October 2022 for commercial. Earlier this year the City joined a program in partnership with EBCE to install solar and battery energy storage systems on municipal facilities.
Equitable and Environmental Transportation
59% of Berkeley’s greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation. While total GHG emissions have been reduced by 26% between 2000-2018, emissions from transportation have remained constant. A significant way we can lower our GHG emissions is ending our reliance on fossil fuel vehicles. The City is in the process of phasing out its fleet of gasoline powered vehicles, replacing them with EVs. In January 2021, Council took the first step to phase out the sale of new vehicles that run on fossil fuels by 2027 while promoting the sale of EVs, particularly among low income communities, along with electric micro mobility alternatives such as e-bikes and scooters. Plans are underway to update our zoning codes to allow for denser development along transit corridors, notably at Ashby and North Berkeley BART. Earlier this year, Council voted on removing parking minimums and incentivizing public transit options in new development.
As one of the many Berkeley residents that does not drive, I want to make sure we have alternative forms of transportation that are safe and accessible. In 2017, the Council approved the latest Bicycle Plan, providing a comprehensive guide to transform our bike infrastructure into a world-class system that is safe to use for bicyclists of all ages and skills. Similarly, at the beginning of this year, the Council voted on a new Pedestrian Plan, focusing on infrastructure improvements through the lenses of safety and equity. Next year we will be exploring funding mechanisms to make sure that our transportation infrastructure goals are met. We are also working regionally with our transportation agencies such as BART and AC Transit to optimize their services.
Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change
Droughts, wildfires, floods. These are all natural disasters that are impacting the region with increasing frequency and intensity, sometimes simultaneously. During the 2011-2017 California drought, the City took a 26% reduction of municipal water consumption, mainly through upgrading our infrastructure and reducing irrigation, which has placed us in a good position during the current drought.
The last few years California has experienced record shattering wildfire seasons. During this time, we have been improving safety conditions and expanding disaster preparedness. This includes the creation of a 19.3 mile fire break east of Tilden Park, and the largest investment the City has made in wildfire mitigation, such as reducing hazardous fire fuels, vegetation management, clearing paths, and emergency preparedness. Berkeley voters approved Measure FF last year, and we have already invested $12.75 million from the funds generated in that measure to improve fire safety. Specific initiatives include the expansion of vegetation clearing efforts, installation of a new evacuation warning system, the purchase of additional emergency vehicles, neighborhood evacuation drills, developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the construction of larger training facilities.
Vision 2050
Infrastructure and the environment are interconnected. Much of the infrastructure in our city was built over 75 years ago and is approaching the end of its lifespan. Aging infrastructure, in combination with exponentially worsening predictions of climate change impacts, could have serious consequences for Berkeley residents' future. To address this, my office launched the Vision 2050 campaign. In 2018, Berkeley voters approved Measure R, which calls on “the Mayor to engage citizens and experts in the development of Vision 2050, a 30-year plan to identify and guide implementation of climate-smart, technologically-advanced, integrated and efficient infrastructure to support a safe, vibrant and resilient future for Berkeley”.
Last year, the Vision 2050 report was published, providing a roadmap to achieve this goal. Highlights of the report include:
Support vibrant and safe communities by taking equity into consideration, including green open spaces, safe mobility, and resilience against natural disasters.
Ensure strong infrastructure for future generations by developing long lasting infrastructure with advanced technologies, combined with efficient maintenance
Accelerate transition to carbon neutrality by implementing electrification, developing natural streetscapes using green infrastructure, and prioritizing human-powered and public transportation.
The Road Ahead
As Berkeley goes, so goes California. And as California goes, so goes the country. From more recent examples such as eliminating natural gas in new construction, to more historic firsts such as curbside recycling, Berkeley has been on the vanguard of environmental issues. While we cannot stop climate change by ourselves, we can inspire others to adopt the policies we have made to protect our environment and our future. From individual choices such as your diet and how you commute, to more institutionalized policies implemented by governments, there still is a narrow path forward to avoid climate catastrophe. Regardless of the outcome of COP26, we owe it to future generations to advance policies that adapt to climate change and reduce our impact on the environment. It may require a global paradigm shift, but in Berkeley, we are ready to lead the way.