Local and SRJC Climate Solutions

Due No Due Date
Points 16
Submitting a file upload

There are many exciting developments to combat climate change that are happening here in Sonoma County and at SRJC. They fall into several categories:

Using less energy/ reducing GHG emissio: there are many programs to help Sonoma County residents achieve a lower carbon lifestyle
Political action: the county and city governments are trying to take action to reduce GHG emissions and we can help them with our votes and vocal support
Activists: there are many different groups advocating for lowered GHG emissions, including here at SRJC.

Assignment:

After reading the information below, submit the answers to the questions below. I have made this worth 16 points, but because it is SO important, I will give up to 10 points extra credit for well thought out and intentional responses.

Going Electric (Questions 1 & 2)

1. Read The Switch is On Links to an external site.. Why does switching from natural gas-fueled appliances to electric appliances (stoves, clothing dryers, hot-water heaters, etc.) reduce greenhouse gas emissions? (note: natural gas is another name for methane gas, CH4). Hint: consider the ways electricity can be produced

2. Read this article from the Harvard School of Public Health: Natural gas used in homes contains hazardous air pollutants Links to an external site.. What are two health hazards of the use of natural gas to heat our homes and cook our food?

Personal Actions (Questions 3 & 4)

2. Read Energy Saving Tips Links to an external site. and watch video: Tips for saving energy on Vimeo Links to an external site. from our local power company, Sonoma Clean Power. List two ways that your family could save energy.

3. Chose two personal actions you could take to reduce your GHG emissions and explain in a couple of sentences what you plan to do. Browse these sites for ideas.

- - - - How to Stop Global Warming, Solutions to Prevent Climate Change Links to an external site.
      - Top 10 things you can do about climate change Links to an external site.
      - Shrink your “foodprint” Links to an external site.(scroll down for recipe ideas)
      - Tips for reducing meat in your diet: UN Climate Change Report Making You Want to Cut Meat? Links to an external site.

Sonoma Clean Power (Questions 5 & 6)

This is our local Joint Power Authority energy provider. It has programs to help people save energy, switch to electric appliances, and purchase 100% renewable electricity. You can read more about it here. Links to an external site.Choose two of these programs and answer the questions below:

5. Describe the program in 1-2 sentences

6. How would participation in this program reduce your carbon emissions?

Group Actions (Questions 7 & 8)

As one individual, my actions make a limited impact. But when I join with other like minded individuals, systems can be changed. Here are some different groups that you should consider. I've tried to pick a diversity of groups: secular and religious, conservative and liberal, local and federal. But you know my bias- local is where we make the biggest impact!

Pick two of these groups and answer the following questions

7. What is one project they are working on right now- describe it in 2-3 sentences

8. What attracts you about this group? (2-3 sentences)

- - - Bikable Santa Rosa Links to an external site.: Their goal is to work toward a safe and low-stress bicycle network connecting all neighborhoods in Santa Rosa.
    - SoTru Links to an external site. Sonoma County Transit Riders Union. Here is a link to the national Transit Riders Union Links to an external site.
    - SRJC Sustainability Club: promotes environmental stewardship and sustainability broadly across all areas of the SRJC including campus operations, student life, academics, and civic and community engagement. This can be done through projects, joining community service, advocating for sustainable measures to SRJC leaders, and more! If you are interested for the Spring 2023 semester please contact: sustainability@santarosa.edu
    - Bay Area Climate Action Map Links to an external site.Shows climate change groups around the Bay Area- you can pick a different group from this map.
    - 350 Bay Area: Links to an external site. Ramping up solutions and ramping down carbon pollution via policies and legislation. They combine very specific solutions with movement building to change political, cultural system environment.
    - Sunrise Movement: Links to an external site.With the primary focus on the Green New Deal and youth activism
    - Citizens’ Climate Lobby Links to an external site.Large emphasis on non-partisan and shared values. They focus on passage of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act Links to an external site.
    - The Climate Center Links to an external site.Strategic goal: By 2025, California will enact policies to accelerate equitable climate action, achieving net-negative emissions and resilient communities for all by 2030, catalyzing other states, the nation and the world to take climate action.
    - Climate Reality Project Links to an external site.Their main focus is to recruit, train, and mobilize people to become powerful activists, providing the skills, campaigns, and resources to push for aggressive climate action
    - Daily Acts Links to an external site.This is a local Sonoma County organization that seeks to change the small daily actions of many people in order to transform the larger community. They focus on climate resilience.
    - RepublicEN Links to an external site.: the main group working for conservative solutions to climate change (similar aims as Citizens' Climate Lobby)
    - Religious Climate Groups: A Rocha USA Links to an external site., Green the Church Links to an external site., Religious Organizations Taking Action on Climate Change Links to an external site.
      - articles on this topic: R Links to an external site.eligious Americans Demand Climate Action Links to an external site.; Religion and Climate Change Links to an external site.