California, the third largest and most populous state in the US, is the place that we call home. As residents of the Golden State, we’re lucky to live in a state with some of the richest and most diverse ecology in the entire world: beautiful coastlines and world class beaches, snow capped mountains, bountiful farms and vineyards, spectacular deserts, and some of the oldest known trees in the world. In addition to the state’s natural wonders, California is home to world class cities, a rich history, hubs of creativity, progressive movements, and a population as diverse as its environment. It’s our love for California and our work as organizers on climate change that inspired our project to take a closer look at the ways that climate change already is, or will, threaten life in our beautiful state.
California is at risk of severe climate impacts that could affect millions of people in the state: drought, wildfires, sea level rise and beach erosion, seasonal changes affecting the wine industry, decreased Sierra snowpack, and landslides. The diverse landscape and demographic of the state means that many places and people will be affected if world leaders do not act to reduce global warming pollution according to scientific recommendations. We’ve spent the past month talking with farmers in the Central Valley, wine growers in Northern California, and Southern CA residents living in fire-prone areas, who have experienced the impacts of wildfires.
We’re taking a closer look at climate change impacts here at home in these upcoming weeks while world leaders are meeting in Copenhagen for the UN climate negotiations to make decisions that will impact the future of our climate. Ted Lemon, a winegrower in Sonoma County and Christopher Locke, a walnut farmer in the Central Valley, are already seeing the effects of a changing climate on their crops. Karen Telleen-Lawton in Santa Barbara and Eric and Megan Johnson of San Diego have had their lives impacted by Southern California wildfires, which could become more challenging for firefighters and more threatening to people and property with continued droughts and a shrinking water supply.
The stories of these Californians represent a glimpse into the future of what climate change could look like for our beautiful state. Californians are calling on President Obama to protect their future by taking action this week in Copenhagen. Efforts being made across the state can only go so far, and if our President does not commit to science-based global warming solutions, he will be compromising our businesses, our homes and the identity of California as the state that we’ve grown to love. You can follow the stories of these individuals throughout the week right here on the Greenpeace USA blog.
— By Jenny Binstock and Lauren Thorpe, Greenpeace Field Organizers in California
