FOLLOWING WORLDWIDE CLIMATE CHANGE MARCH, SAN DIEGO COUNCIL CALLS ON MAYOR TO ISSUE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN
By Miriam Raftery
September 22, 2014 (San Diego) – On Sunday, a global climate march drew a half million people worldwide at over 150 locations, all calling for action to stop climate change. The march drew over 400,000 in New York City and an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 in San Diego.
Today, San Diego’s City Council voted 5 to 3 in favor of a resolution asking Mayor Kevin Faulconer to issue a climate change plan.
The vote split the council down party lines, with all Democrats voting in favor and Republicans voting against.
The resolution, introduced by Councilman Todd Gloria, seeks to have San Diego produce 100 percent of its energy from clean, local sources by 2035. Gloria’s plan also would improve transit, bicycle and pedestrian paths, expand parks and tree planting, increase requirements on property for energy efficiency in buildings, and take steps to address problems caused by the effects of climate change including drought, wildfires, and rising sea levels.
While no opposition to the plan overall has been registered, some real estate leaders have voiced concerns over potentially costly upgrades for energy efficiency, that could make it harder for owners to sell their homes, City Times reports.
The Mayor’s office has issued a statement indicating a draft plan could be ready for a public hearing to be held next spring, with release of a draft for Council review in the next few weeks.
According to the Mayor’s statement, “Since Mayor Faulconer took office this spring, his administration has been working to bring forward for public review a climate action plan that will be broadly supported by the environmental community, business community, City Council and the public.”
But some have raised concerns that the Republican mayor’s plan may not go far enough to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Councilman Gloria called for “bold” action and said any plan brought to Council for a vote must be “tangible, measureable and enforceable.”