Columbia Association Climate Change & Sustainability Advisory Committee Climate Change & Sustainability Advisory Committee Goals of the Committee (established 2018): Village Engagement Sessions 1. Increase Columbia’s resilience to climate change by engaging Village Boards, businesses & residents in discussions about climate & sustainability. Columbia Association recognizes the impacts of climate change & the importance of 2. Collaborate w/ other organizations to boost motivation for action on climate & sustainability. increasing climate preparedness and community sustainability 3. Help CA staff to find new ways to reduce Columbia’s environmental impact. 4. Recommend best practices to CA that will reduce Dr. Sara Via, Dr. Tracey Manning, Dr. Chiara D’Amore, Kim Drake, climate-related risks & increase Columbia’s resiliency Rachel Matney Climate.Sustainability.Committee@gmail.com to climate impacts. Presented by Dr. Sara Via, svia@umd.edu Climate Change Sustainability: - Long-term global change in patterns of temperature and Satisfying our needs in ways precipitation that protect the ability of - The scientific evidence is now overwhelming; future generations to satisfy 97% of scientists agree that climate change is real their needs. - Impacts on Maryland’s people & economy here now - Without significant action, things will get much worse. We know what to do: More sustainable agriculture Source: SAGA Learn & transportation, use more clean renewable energy 2017 2018 2018 Questions? Email Dr. Sara Via, svia@umd.edu 1
Public Opinion Estimates, Howard County, Maryland 75% of Marylanders think climate change is occurring 2018 There is an important “blind spot” but only 57% think that scientists agree * Yale Climate Opinion Maps 2018 Yale Climate Opinion Maps 2018 Last four years the hottest since 1884 The Greenhouse Effect slows heat loss from Earth, so air warms Greenhouse gas molecules interfere with heat waves as they move toward space 1 o C above pre-industrial - carbon dioxide - methane * more gas molecules, - nitrous oxide **slower heat loss ***more warming source: Berkele y Ea rth http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/gr aphs/ http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp /graphs/ 18 of 19 hottest years all since 2000– WHY? Questions? Email Dr. Sara Via, svia@umd.edu 2
Changes in patterns of rainfall Already happening: changes in temperature - Maximum & minimum temperature higher in every season - More days over 80 o and more over 90 o - More nights over 70 o and more over 80 o - Heat waves last longer - Extreme heat affects health, air quality, - more rain now falling as downpours water availability, food - this causes injury/death, damages property & crops, safety, power usage increases water pollution Storms more severe, summer & winter We are at a decision point… Current Current path path 8.5 o F Hurricane Florence Sept. 13, 2018 2018 2.5 o F We can choose the future we want It is now cheaper to fix climate change than to pay for disasters 4 th National Climate Assessment 2018, Fig. 2.2 $306 billion for disasters in 2017 ( Citibank, 2015) Questions? Email Dr. Sara Via, svia@umd.edu 3
Climate Action Already Underway The Path Forward State: Maryland making good progress toward 40% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 Adaptation Mitigation Howard County: Cope with conditions that Reduce atmospheric CO 2 to - 2015 Climate Action plan to be updated now can’t be avoided avoid the worst outcomes - Calvin Ball just announced a whole slate of climate actions to reduce energy use and increase sustainability denverpost.com We need both-- adaptation alone is not enough Using plants to remove carbon from Climate Action Already Underway the atmosphere and store it Columbia Association - Plants capture CO 2 for photosynthesis and can - Significant GHG reductions & energy efficiency store it long-term in soil and wood improvements- ongoing effort - Solar farms provide 25% of CA’s energy, totally - A “natural climate solution” w/ multiple co-benefits power Columbia Gym & the Athletic Club - Howard Co and CA want to use proven conservation - Lighting retrofits practices to increase carbon storage: to LED * woody and grass buffers - EV charging stations to reduce stream erosion - Energy Audits * deep-rooted native grass - Purchasing clean & pollinator meadows energy to offset use * tree and shrub planting - CA has just won award (no playing fields or playgrounds affected) from Energy Star!! Questions? Email Dr. Sara Via, svia@umd.edu 4
Climate Action- We can do even more Discussion - Improve energy efficiency in • What do you see as key climate concerns and buildings & homes-- save 20% environmental issues in your village? - Reduce food waste, participate • Are there populations that are particularly vulnerable in HoCo composting program to climate impacts in your village? - Buy only what you really need • What sort of climate education & outreach efforts - Increase recycling & reuse would be a good fit for your community-- talks, - Switch to renewable clean energy discussions, activities? through BGE (ask us how!) • Workshops on - Use water wisely • individual actions? - Reduce vehicle miles traveled; • conservation landscaping & carpool, mass transit, combine errands climate-friendly gardening? - Move toward plant-based diet - Climate-friendly landscaping Community Ecology Institute: 2019 makeachange1.wordpress .com Questions? Email Dr. Sara Via, svia@umd.edu 5
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