After years of drought, the moisture in soils has depleted, making areas more prone to combustion. Ever since the spark in Los Angeles, the wildfire season has arrived.
In recent years, wildfires have devastated numerous parts of California, from Lake Tahoe to Santa Cruz and up to Northern California. Most wildfires are considered natural phenomenons, but not to the point in which they happen so frequently that they put people into threatening states.
Living in Silicon Valley insulates you from most of the world’s greatest problems. Unfortunately, climate change is not one of them. Silicon Valley may be one of the most innovative places in the world. Yet it lacks answers to the world’s most urgent problem: climate change.
Year to Date Wildfire Statistics (CAL FIRE and Federal)
Number of Fires and Acres
While we rely on the government and innovators to guide us to the resolution, we ourselves must first recognize the pernicious consequences of climate change. The idea that climate change is still an extraneous issue to us has been stuck in people’s minds for an incessant number of years.
According to Pew Research Center, only 22% of people surveyed think climate change is affecting us severely.
“If you live in the bay area, it [climate change] really isn’t that far away anymore,” said Madeline Willett, the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Sunnyvale.
From ongoing droughts to rising temperatures to longer summers, Willett reveals that we are experiencing a new, exacerbated climate. Many homes have lost access to air conditioning due to severe heat waves in the summer. Does this not affect us? Silicon Valley is viewed as a place with high living standards. However, we are losing access to a comfortable summer because of our own actions.
Willett encourages people to pursue both daily tasks and long-term tasks to ameliorate climate change. For example, people can switch from natural gas to electricity, conserve water and energy, as well as take an alternate transportation system such as biking. As students, we have the duties to learn about climate change, advocate for greener facilities in schools, speak up to schools, and educate our parents.
The City of Sunnyvale has implemented the Climate Action Playbook, a plan that addresses climate change and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years. This playbook replaced the original climate action plan which was a long document. The Climate Action Playbook is created to be more engaging, clean, and easier to read for residents.
In addition to the playbook, Sunnyvale also provides sustainable speaker series that teach residents about the consequences of climate change and most importantly, to spread awareness. They have also collaborated with tech companies to provide shelter services and energy consumption in hope to align goals to fight for a better community. As Willet says, the role of silicon valley is to be an innovator and a leader in fighting climate change.
List of tasks to fight climate change from Saratoga City:
Recommendations for Low Carbon Transportation Reductions
#1 Drive an all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
#2 Bike, walk, or take transit whenever possible.
#3 Reduce the number of miles you drive by working from home when possible and consolidating vehicle trips.
#4 Shut your car off when waiting in line at the ATM or school pick up/drop off lane.
#5 Better yet, encourage your child to walk or bike to school.
Recommendations for Renewable Energy
#1 Switch to SVCE GreenPrime or PG&E Solar Choice 100% renewable electricity.
#2 Install a solar energy system on your home or business and consider battery storage.
#3 Replace appliances that use natural gas for ones that use electricity.
#4 Investigate electric hot water heaters and heat pumps so you can swap out heaters and furnaces that use natural gas when it’s time to replace them.
Recommendations for Energy Efficiency
#1 Switch to SVCE GreenPrime or PG&E Solar Choice 100% renewable electricity.
#2 Install a solar energy system on your home or business and consider battery storage.
#3 Replace appliances that use natural gas for ones that use electricity.
#4 Investigate electric hot water heaters and heat pumps so you can swap out heaters and furnaces that use natural gas when it’s time to replace them.
Recommendations for Waste Reduction
#1 Buy only as much as you need.
#2 Buy locally grown food and eat less meat.
#3 Put your food scraps in the green can and/or compost them at home.
#4 Donate extra food and used clothing and housewares to charities.
#5 Don’t be a “wishful” recycler. Be scrupulous about how you sort your recyclables.
Recommendations for Water Conservation
#1 Replace your lawn with a drought-tolerant garden.
#2 Install a drip irrigation system and check it regularly for leaks.
#3 Install low water flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets.
#4 Buy water-efficient dishwashers and clothes washers when it’s time to replace them.
Silicon Valley Youth Channel 
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