by Katy Grimes, E&E Legal Senior Media Fellow and California Globe Editor
As Appearing in the California Globe
Is California really experiencing a ‘climate emergency?’
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors just voted to appoint 13 members to the newly created Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force, following their declaration of a climate emergency.
On Dec. 16, 2020 while California residents were under Covid lockdown orders, “the Sacramento Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted a resolution declaring a climate emergency and directing the formation of the Task Force,” the Board announced.
What does the resolution say?
“Sacramento County is at risk of experiencing the devastating effects of extreme heat and weather events caused by rising atmospheric greenhouse gasses, resulting in climate change, including rising temperatures and more extreme heat waves, drier landscapes and more intense droughts, increased frequency and magnitude of wildfires and associated air pollution, health impacts, utility and transportation services interruptions, economic disruption, property loss, dislocation, housing shortages, food insecurity, gaps in education due to school closures, impacts on agricultural production; increased risk of floods, and increased demand on public sector resources and emergency response capacity.”
“On March 23, 2022, the BOS approved a resolution (bad link) that set the Task Force compensation and composition, endorsed the guiding principles and scope of work, and directed the Sustainability Manager to begin a public application process to fill member seats.”
This is all so interesting because a recent Harvard Caps Harris poll found that a majority of those polled don’t find climate change quite the emergency that politicians do. Numerous polls around the country reveal that climate change just isn’t a priority for nearly anyone.
