Climate Change 101
What is Climate Change, and What are Greenhouse Gas Emissions?
We have all heard about “climate change” and “greenhouse gas emissions” on the news, in our classrooms, or online. These terms can seem complex or intimidating, but the reality is actually a lot simpler. Here's what you should know:
Climate change refers to long-term changes in global temperature and weather patterns. In recent decades, climate change has accelerated, primarily due to increased greenhouse gas emissions from human activity. Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are gases in the Earth's atmosphere that “trap” heat and warm the planet. Human activity, such as burning fossil fuels like natural gas and oil to power our homes and vehicles, emit GHGs. The more GHGs we emit, the more heat the planet traps.
Impacts in Redwood City
How Climate Change Impacts Redwood City
The impacts of climate change are felt across the world and vary from community to community. The impacts that post the greatest risk to Redwood City, with our coastal access and warmer climate, include:
- Rising temperatures
- More frequent and longer-lasting extreme heat events
- Sea level rise
- Intensified precipitation, erosion, and flooding events
- Increased risk of wildfires & poor air quality
- Decreased availability and quality of water
- Increased risk of disruptions to energy systems and infrastructure
Carbon Neutrality
What is Carbon Neutrality?
In alignment with global climate efforts like the Paris Agreement, Redwood City’s Climate Action Plan calls for our community to reach carbon neutrality well before 2045. To be "carbon neutral", we would need to find ways to permanently remove an equivalent amount of GHGs from the atmosphere as we emit every year. While some technological solutions on the horizon could achieve this, we are not banking on that.
The good news is that there are readily available solutions to address every source of GHGs from Redwood City. Even better is that these are solutions that will pay dividends over time as we rely more on abundant renewable energy and durable products instead of extractive energy systems and disposable goods.
Climate Change & Equity
Committing to Equitable Climate Action
We cannot address climate change without also addressing equity. Climate change often disproportionately impacts those who are least responsible for pollution, most vulnerable to its effects, and least equipped to adapt. Many impacts—such as health-related challenges—will fall hardest on socially vulnerable populations.
Redwood City is committed to proactively engaging socially vulnerable groups and those traditionally underrepresented in planning processes, ensuring they have a voice in shaping Climate Action programs and projects. When all community members have an equal opportunity to plan for and shape their futures, the result is a healthier, more resilient community for everyone.
What You Can Do
Reduce Your Contribution to Climate Change
Join the City in striving for a healthier and safer community.