Chapter 1: Introduction
As Berkeley residents know, there is no longer any doubt among credible scientists that global warming presents a significant threat to humankind. Globally, the rise in temperatures has profound implications for the availability of the natural resources on which economic prosperity and human development depend. The changing climate also has potentially severe economic, health, social and environmental consequences for us close to home, including:
- Threats to infrastructure due to a rising San Francisco Bay
- Increased incidence of large wildfires
- Serious public health threats
- Water shortages
The climate action planning process produced a vision for addressing the threats outlined above. This plan's purpose is to serve as a guide for setting the community on a path to achieve that vision. In 2050:
- New and existing Berkeley buildings achieve net zero energy consumption through increased energy efficiency and a shift to renewable energy sources
- Public transit, walking, and biking are the primary means of transportation
- Personal vehicles run alternative fuels or electricity
- Zero waste is sent to the landfills
- The majority of food consumed in Berkeley is produced locally, i.e., within a few hundred miles
- Our community is risilient and prepared for the impacts of a changing climate
- The social and economic benefits of the community's climate protection effort are shared equitably among everyone
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