Doing Our Small Part in Sacramento to Fight Climate Change

I attended the "Global Climate Change Forum: Adapting to the Uncertain Future" at the SMUD Auditorium in Sacramento last night.

It was hosted by the Sacramento Chapter of the League of Women Voters. I missed the film, but caught all the speakers. Roger Dickinson spoke about Sac County's programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy efficiency. John Andrews from DWR shared DWRs challenge of reducing energy use by water end-users. Genevieve Shiroma made a strong case for why SMUD is a great public utility. She noted SMUD's high scores in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and boasted about SMUD reaching its 20% emission reduction goal by 2010, a full 10 years ahead of the mandated 2020 deadline.

It was a great panel, but could have been much better marketed. I ran into the president of the League of Women Voters afterwards and she let me know they didn't do much outreach at all. I found the event in the Sac Bee. The average age of the audience was 70.
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http://www.lwvsacramento.org/

From 6:15-6:45 you will have the opportunity to view the video: “California Water and the Climate Change Strategies” which will be introduced by Elissa Lynn, Department of Water Resources Senior Meterologist.

The panel will include Professor Deb Niemeier, Ph.D., P.E., UC Davis (factors causing climate change, status and adaptations in U.S. and the world); Roger Dickinson, Supervisor, District 1, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (local communities response to climate change); John Andrews, CA. Department of Water Resources (climate change impact on water resources), Director Genevieve Shiroma, SMUD (renewables and new energy sources); Christopher J. Flores, Office of Doris O. Matsui, (status of national climate change legislation).

The Inauguration of Barack Obama

Watching the inauguration from home this morning. I've been offline for too long. I was in Beijing for much of 2008, but now it's a new year, with a new president, so I hope to be inspired post this year. The presidential limos are just now leaving the White House, on their way to the mall. Folks have been out in the cold since before sunrise. One woman had a heart attack, many more are freezing and in need of medical attention. I have ABC on the TV and NPR on the radio. Heard commentary this morning about the state of the nation when Barack Obama was born in 1961. It was still illegal for a white to marry a black at that time, schools around the country were resisting moves to desegregate, it was a different time. This is a moment we've all prepared for, but the reality of the moment is still overwhelming. The images are overpowering. We're all hopeful about what's to come. He'll inherit a world of trouble. Two wars and an economic crisis. It's not an envious position, but we hope he's the best man for the job. (One aside question, why is Dick Cheney in a wheelchair? Is he hoping to look feeble to tug at our heart strings?) Welcome to 2009, and an new administration. Let's hope Obama ushers in a new era of leadership that serves the good of the country, more than it serves a tight circle of money and influence.