Andrea De Zubiria & Madeleine Para - 11-13-2022 - Valley’s new members in Congress have moral duty to deal with climate challenges

 Valley’s new members in Congress have moral duty to deal with climate challenges 

BY ANDREA DE ZUBIRIA AND MADELEINE PARA 

NOVEMBER 13, 2022 5:30 AM

From Hurricane Ian’s deadly toll to the destruction in Puerto Rico and fatal flooding in Kentucky, it’s clear an altered climate is hurting Americans. 

Whether enduring storms or flooding, or the growing threats of wildfires, toxic air, extreme heat, and drought, Americans are increasingly concerned by climate extremes. 

In the Central Valley we’re already navigating drought, wildfires, and poor air quality. We need far-reaching efforts to reduce carbon emissions, lessen the warming and avoid the worsening consequences of unchecked greenhouse gas emissions. 

While it’s human nature to feel overwhelmed by seemingly insurmountable problems, facing climate change head-on has been empowering for volunteers in the Fresno chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. As everyday advocates seeking “the political will for a livable world,” our chapter meets regularly with the Valley’s congressional delegation to urge for bipartisan climate policy to protect the people we love and the places we call home. 

Our persistence is paying off. Congress is listening and taking steps to stabilize our climate, reduce pollution and ensure people and businesses benefit as we phase out the burning of heat-trapping fossil fuels. Get unlimited digital access Try 1 month for $1 CLAIM OFFER 

The recently signed Inflation Reduction Act includes climate provisions such as financial incentives for Americans to pivot away from gas cars and fossil-fuel-heated homes. The act also has a $60 billion boost for domestic clean energy and is already motivating manufacturers to gear up production in the U.S. This will result in American jobs and help reduce U.S. emissions by up to 40% by 2030. 

This is a great start, but a steady flow of climate extremes highlights the haste needed to solve this problem. While climate change did not cause Hurricane Ian — a catastrophic storm that killed more than 100 people — it added to the storm’s severity. A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, and preliminary analysis indicates human-induced climate change increased the extreme rainfall of Hurricane Ian by more than 10%. The storm’s rapid intensification to a destructive Category 4 hurricane was also aided by warm ocean water, which was about 1.8 F degrees warmer than usual, creating “rocket fuel for the storm” as one hurricane researcher described it. 

Meanwhile, many in Puerto Rico are living without electricity after Hurricane Fiona caused flooding and landslides. In Canada, Fiona’s landfall was deemed the strongest on record, highlighting how we must do more to mitigate against weather-amplifying climate change.

A pressing concern is weather whiplash, where conditions rapidly swing from one extreme to another. Dallas endured heat and drought for months. Then the rain came in August, causing flash floods that killed one and left thousands fleeing to higher ground. In Kentucky, at least 37 people died in flash flooding, including families with children. 

Based on current warming trends, the White House Office of Management and Budget predicts climate change could reduce gross domestic product in the U.S. by up to 10% — about $2 trillion in today’s dollars — by the end of this century. Climate extremes are also hindering medical services, and military forces are stretched as they deal with escalating wildfires, flooding, and heat. 

The emissions reductions expected from the Inflation Reduction Act are a significant step forward, but they fall below our Paris climate commitment of 50% by 2030. More federal policy is necessary to move the economy away from polluting fossil fuels. Implementing a price on pollution (carbon fee) would quickly lower emissions, and the money could be recycled back to Americans. Adding a border fee on carbon-intensive imports would also send a signal to the world that America will penalize foreign polluters who aren’t doing their part. 

We urge Valley members of the new Congress being seated next year to support strong solutions to steer our nation toward clean energy. 

Climate change is here and making extreme weather worse, but we have the collective power to change the stakes. Now our leaders have a duty to shield us from the worst.

https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article268484442.html?fbclid=IwAR1jFnPWguh22AI4IFUmbLFZ9DB0SRZ9BJBFNEsB8Jvqz7vaCswK08t4dCc

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Anna Villavicencio - 11-26-2022 - Here’s wisdom of a 14-year-old Valley girl on encouraging climate change reductions

 Here’s wisdom of a 14-year-old Valley girl on encouraging climate change reductions

BY ANNA VILLAVICENCIO

NOVEMBER 26, 2022 5:30 AM

As a 14 year old, I am told that, “change starts with you.” In health class, we’re taught that if you’re healthy, you influence your family’s health. Then your family can influence your friends’ and neighbors’ health for the better. Most kids don’t pay attention during class — I agree it is boring. But there’s one thing I’ve learned from sitting through the long hours that is actually true! 

As Americans, we each have different changes we want to make. This can make it hard to influence others. But when something matters to all Americans, the “change” can be made easier. And most Americans can agree on wanting better lives, a stronger economy and American success. 

Many of these things are mostly controlled by the government and other worldwide events. However, we can still see their effects and care about them. We can actually influence some of them. 

One example of worldwide change is the European Union’s (EU) carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). This is targeted to start in 2023. What it will do is make other countries who are exporting to the EU have to pay a tariff. This tariff will be determined by the amount of carbon emitted in the making of the product. The more carbon emitted in the production of exports, the more money American businesses are going to have to pay Europe. 

Since the US already has cleaner manufacturing than other countries like China and India, we’ll be paying less than them. We’ll also be doing well because companies will want to move here, encouraging economic growth. But there is a way for America to have more success.

If we imposed our own CBAM, we would be level with the EU. China and others would have to pay us for their exports to us. There is also another big way our country would benefit. With other countries incentivized to emit less carbon, there would be a cleaner world with less pollution. This would save American lives, and help slow climate change. 

This is just one example of legislation that could be passed, and it’s legislation that can have bipartisan support. Enforcing a CBAM is consistent with conservative values — it’s not growing the government or creating more regulations. Instead, we would be helping create a cleaner Earth while holding other countries accountable. 

While this will create positive changes throughout the world by lowering greenhouse gasses, the change starts locally. When ordinary citizens want change, they can influence their policy-makers.

This spring, Three Rivers Union School District passed a climate resolution. This document stresses the importance of taking actions to help the Earth that aren’t politically aligned. It points out that rising carbon emissions contribute to California’s diminishing snowpack, which affects California’s agricultural economy. But it also acknowledges that there are many solutions. 

When elected officials hear from their communities, they are likely to care about those issues. In fact, my congressman, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, recently introduced a new bipartisan bill dedicated to saving sequoia trees. 

My boring health class was right: you can influence the world. Starting with your friends and neighbors, and even the government. Whether you’re lobbying through an organization like Citizens’ Climate Lobby or talking to your community, you can be a catalyst to help America succeed. 

Anna Villavicencio is a ninth grader at Woodlake High School. She is a member of the Youth Action Team of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. She and her school club Ecopact were recently featured in the documentary Kaweah Kweens.

Read more at: https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/readers-opinion/article269117587.html#storylink=cpy

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