City of Antioch: Environment: Climate Protection

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions-What causes global warming?
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) trap heat in the atmosphere which causes global warming. There are four main types of greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20) and high global warming potential (GWP) gases.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)
is released into the atmosphere primarily as a result of the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal) for power generation and in transportation. It is also emitted through various industrial processes, forest clearing, and natural gas flaring and burning of organic matter. Some carbon is sequestered (captured/stored) in vegetation and agricultural soils which keeps it from collecting in the atmosphere.

Methane (CH4)
is produced primarily as a result of the decomposition of organic wastes in municipal solid waste landfills and from agricultural and biological processes related to wetland rice cultivation, livestock digestion and waste. Methane’s overall contribution to global warming is significant because it is estimated to be more than 20 times as effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere as CO2.

Nitrous oxide (N20)
is naturally produced in soils from microbial processes. Additions of nitrogen to soils by the agricultural sector increases the amount of N2O emitted. Nitrous oxide is also emitted during industrial production activities, solid waste combustion and fossil fuel combustion. Nitrous oxide is approximately 300 times more powerful than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere.

High global warming potential (GWP)
gases include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). HFCs are primarily used as replacements for ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). PFCs and SF6 are emitted by a variety of industrial processes including aluminum smelting, electric power transmission and distribution, magnesium processing and semiconductor manufacturing.

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Global Warming Impacts-Bay Area and California

Local governments are responsible for dealing with the impacts of climate change, from providing the first responders to extreme weather events to dealing with the day-to-day implications for public health, infrastructure and economy. The impacts of climate change in California and elsewhere will depend on how quickly humans reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) produced a 2006 report entitled "Our Changing Climate: Assessing the Risks to California," which addresses the statewide implications of global warming. The CEC predicts that California temperatures will increase from 3 - 10.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century. The 10.5-degree scenario would be accompanied by sea level rise of as much as 3 feet by the end of the century and steadily increasing after that.

A 1990 study by the Pacific Institute estimated that sea level rise of 3.3 feet (1 meter) in San Francisco Bay would threaten structures valued over $48 billion. To help people visualize the impacts of sea level rise, visit the interactive on-line map (aerial photo view) that shows approximate impact on Bay Area coastlines of various sea level rise scenarios ranging from 0-7 meters.

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Reducing Antioch’s Emissions

The City of Antioch is currently undergoing a greenhouse gas/ carbon emissions inventory, both for the municipality of Antioch as well as for the community at large. Once the emissions inventory is complete, the City shall begin the process of drafting a climate action plan. Stay tuned for more details.

Carbon Reductions Staff Report

City Emissions Charts and Graphs

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Your Carbon Footprint-Your impact on the climate and global warming

Can one individual or family really make a difference in the fight to reduce global warming?

Absolutely! We all contribute to global warming every day and the choices we make really matter. The emissions we produce by driving our cars and leaving the lights on add up quickly. The energy we use at home accounts for about a fifth of U.S. global warming pollution, according to the Environmental Defense Council.

To help you get started, the following free tools & resources are laid out in a two-step process that will help you:

learn more about your household's impact on global warming, and
Identify ways you can cut your emissions to help fight global warming

First: Measure your carbon footprint.

Use one of these free online emissions calculators to gain a better understanding about your household's greenhouse gas emissions (global warming pollution). Learning which aspects of your lifestyle cause the majority of emissions will enable to focus on your life choices that have the greatest impact on climate and deserve the most attention. Some emissions calculators are more quick and easy than others, so you may want to try more than one. Most calculators estimate emissions resulting from how we consume energy and manage waste at home as well as the transportation choices we make; others account for energy use at work or which goods and services we choose. If you want the most accurate results, do a little research to gather your own real numbers (e.g. your recent electric, gas, and/or oil bills) and use one of the more detailed emissions calculators (e.g. Cool California Calculator or US EPA - Household).

Environmental Defense-Individual or Family
An Inconvenient Truth - Individual
US EPA - Household
Cool California Calculator [designed specifically for California households and businesses]

Other possible calculators:

Second: Be a part of the climate protection solution.

Explore actions you and/or your family can take to lower your emissions while reducing your energy and waste disposal costs, including simple changes you can make at home, school, work and/or on the road. The US EPA emissions calculator can also be used to estimate amount of emissions you could avoid for each action you choose to take, and how that amount relates to your total emissions. The Cool California Calculator, designed specifically for California households and businesses, will be upgraded in late summer 2008 to include additional tools and links to help you reduce your GHG footprint.

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What can you do? - Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions (sometimes called your ‘ carbon footprint’)

Learning which aspects of your lifestyle cause greenhouse gas emissions will enable you to focus on your life choices that have the greatest impact on climate and deserve the most attention. If you have not already done so, first use an online greenhouse gas emissions calculator to help you understand your household's carbon footprint, including your greenhouse gas emissions from energy use, transportation, and waste disposal.

Ten simple things you can do to help reduce your carbon footprint

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, if your family did all of the items listed, you could cut your own global warming pollution by more than 11,000 lbs per year!

To view additional suggestions, use these links:
– Making a Difference at Home and on the Road
– What You Can Do at Home, Office, School or On the Road

10.

Plant a couple of additional trees around your home.
——» Pollution reduction = 20 lbs/year

Next time you buy a refrigerator, purchase a high-efficiency model with the energy star logo.
——» Pollution reduction = 220 lbs/year

Buy food and other products with reusable or recyclable packaging. [Reuse & Recycling in Contra Costa]
——» Pollution reduction = 230 lbs/year

Next time you buy a washing machine, purchase a low-energy, low-water-use machine with the energy star logo.
——» Pollution reduction = 440 lbs/year

6. Install a solar thermal system to help provide your hot water. [Green Building in Contra Costa]
*——»* Pollution reduction = 720 lbs/year

Recycle all of your home's waste newsprint, cardboard, glass and metal. [Recycling in Contra Costa]
——» Pollution reduction = 850 lbs/year

If possible, leave your car at home two days a week. Take public transportation to work, school, or on errands instead. [Public Transportation in Contra Costa]
——» Pollution reduction = 1,590 lbs/year

Replace two of the five most frequently used light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent light bulbs.
——» Pollution reduction = 2300 lbs/year

Insulate your home, tune up your furnace, and install low-flow shower heads.
——» Pollution reduction = 2,480 lbs/year

Next time you replace your most frequently used automobile, purchase a fuel-efficient car, rated up to 32 mpg or more.
——» Pollution reduction = 5,600 lbs/year

Want more ideas?

The EPA's What You Can Do at Home, Office, School or On the Road website includes 30 action steps that individuals can take to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, increase the nation's energy independence, and save money.

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