Introduction

Solving the problem of global climate change requires action on many different fronts. International and national policies are critical to making progress on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Steps have been taken by many local governments to lower their emissions. Sonoma County governments have been in the forefront in the nation in their efforts to cut GHGs. The challenge today is to make significant emissions reductions in the community as well. The “scientific imperative” indicates that reductions of 50% to 70% or more by the year 2050 or sooner are necessary to stabilize the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Ultimately, reducing net carbon emissions by amounts less than this is not going to avert profound and destructive changes in the global climate. Inefficiency in energy use, reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources and deforestation are bringing about a profound change in the most basic aspect of our environment: the climate. We believe that a transition in the way energy is used and produced must begin now. The goal should be to stop the increase in the CO2 level in the atmosphere. That goal is accomplished by ensuring that all human activity emits net zero carbon. This means that no more “ancient carbon” (from fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas) is introduced into the carbon cycle.

Cost-effective, carbon neutral (i.e., not increasing atmospheric carbon level) alternatives for intelligently using and producing energy exist today. It is clear that a portion of the transition to these alternatives must begin with local initiatives. Otherwise, the transition will occur under more highly degraded circumstances, at a much higher cost. If action is delayed too long, the transition will be forced to occur under a draconian regulatory regime, with much less local control. Most importantly, the longer action is delayed the more irreversible the changes to the climate and the more destructive the effects.

The purpose of this white paper is to outline a comprehensive set of technically grounded, economically feasible, locally appropriate solutions. These solutions address how a transition can be achieved in each carbon-emitting sector. The proposals embody a “lowest cost, least time” strategy for achieving carbon neutrality.

Climate Protection Campaign has the view that solutions to climate change, rather than being a drag on the economy, can stimulate the economy in new ways. Measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions start with using energy more efficiently, which lowers costs. As well, using locally produced energy will reduce dependence on foreign oil and energy market uncertainties. Energy security improves with decentralization.

Organization of Paper

Actions we propose in this paper are both "technological fixes" and policy actions. We address both the demand side and the supply side of fossil fuel use. We answer the question, "If we are to reduce our net GHG emissions to zero as quickly and completely as possible, what are the actions that must occur at the local level?"

We organize our solutions using standard greenhouse gas inventory categories, i.e., transportation; electricity and natural gas use broken down by residential, commercial, industrial sectors; water/wastewater; solid waste; agriculture. Some of the approaches in this paper include:

Identify what must be done to ensure that new development, both residential and commercial, is carbon neutral.
Quantify the realizable potential for energy efficiency measures and identify funding sources.
Propose modifications to existing infrastructure, or new designs for replacement infrastructure, that yield greater efficiency in operations, with a lower impact on basic resources. These areas would include water/wastewater and transportation systems.
Maximize cost-effective energy harvest from local resources that would otherwise be discarded, including producing alternative fuels and electricity.
Finally, we consider the achievement of net zero carbon in the context of sustainability. There is consideration of the interrelatedness of the systems we describe, although the primary objective for each sector is carbon neutrality .
Chapter Outline