Focusing Our Nation

Foothill College

April 18, 2009

In the News…

• EPA declares GHG a significant risk to human health – can be regulated…

• Who knew?

• Actually…

• We have known this for years

Ice Cores – Story of Vostok

Vostok Ice Core Data•A perfect correlation between CO2, temperature, and sea level•For every one ppm CO2, sea level rises 1 meter, temp rises .05 C (global)•Process takes 100 years to add 1 ppm CO2, and reach thermal equilibrium

This is not just a correlation, this is a complex and dynamic process, with multiple inputs. Touching one input affects all other inputs, and increases in temperature becomes a further feedback and multiplier of these inputs.

GHGs and Vostok Data

James Kirchner Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of California, Berkeley

Earth Out of Balance

http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/20050428/

Accelerating Change

• Heat storms• Droughts• Storm intensity• Fires / duration• Ice quakes

• Methane release• Sea ice extent• pH of the ocean• Pest migration• Sea level rise

Ecosystem degradation, loss of biodiversity, failure of ecosystem services

So What’s the Plan?

A Subsystems Approach

• Renewable energy• Distribution systems• Smart energy• Energy efficiency• LEED / green building

• Electric vehicles• Alternative fuels• Batteries / fuel cells• Urban planning• GHG sequestration

Smart energy Smart cities

Smart citizens

Smart policy

Bigger Questions

• What is our purpose?• What is our role on

earth?• Can we live in harmony

with the planet?• Can we live in harmony

with each other?• How do we develop a

framework for sustainability?

Civilization 2.0

Our Panelists

• Robert Cormia, Foothill College Faculty• Charles Allen, Foothill-De Anza District

Executive Director, Facilities & Operations• Steve Schmidt & Jay Shideler, Los Altos Hills

Energy Initiatives Committee• Margaret Abe-Koga, Mayor of Mountain View• Curtis Williams, Palo Alto Planning Director• Peg Champion, Green Town Los Altos• Zann Gill => Smart systems • eco-cities