In a landmark vote, the California legislature approved a complete shift to alternative electric energy production by 2045. California joins Hawaii, which passed its carbon-free goal in 2015. California leads the nation in deployed renewable infrastructure with 35%, and plans to be at 60% in twelve years. The state also reached its greenhouse gas emission goals four years early. The increase in alternative energy deployment is driven by decreasing cost of photovoltaic panels. SB 100 now goes to Governor Jerry Brown for signing into law. Brown has already set out ambitious goals to expand renewables and the use of electric cars. The state legislature has already passed a law that requires newly built homes to be equipped for solar power.
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| Redding, CA |
A report released on Monday says the state is in for more of the same
devastating wildfires [photo] if nothing is done to ameliorate climate change. It is the fourth statewide climate change assessment since 2006. Rising temperatures could lead to 11,300 more deaths by 2050, and the number of days of extreme heat will increase exponentially. The 2006 heatwave killed over 600 people according to the report and cost an estimated $5.4 billion in damages. Wildfires will consume on average 77% more acreage; in 2018 fire destroyed 671,000 acres.
[photo] Brown reacted to the report by terming the threat posed by climate change, "apocalyptic".
