Electric cars, photovoltaic solar panels, energy efficient light bulbs and kitchen appliances, and other greening elements are shaping the future of Berkeley, California as the city is setting a tough course in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The new eco-friendly measures showcase Berkeley's determination to take the lead with actions to reduce the city's greenhouse gases by 80 percent by 2050. The new policies are ready for their moments in the sun six months after city's voters overwhelmingly passed Measure G.
"It's extremely urgent," says Richard Norgaard, a professor in the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley. "We will have to pay one way or another… if we destroy planet Earth, we pay the price of destroyed agriculture, etc. I'd rather pay the price of taxes."
The measure for the first time stipulates what will be expected from residents to tackle global warming.
Requirements on energy efficiency will affect permits for all new buildings, resold homes, and renovations. The permits will be granted after businesses or residents replace appliances, upgrade walls and windows with insulation, and install electric-car outlets in their garages. Increased incentives will be given for those who install solar panels and other energy savers.
Some experts in Berkeley even raised to new heights the importance of individual contributions and greening of the environment.
"It will take many, many small actions, not just a couple of big flashy policies," says Cisco DeVries, chief of staff to Mayor Tom Bates. "One of the most important parts is that every person in Berkeley needs to take responsibility for reducing their footprint on the planet."
But some residents might have mixed feelings about the new measures.
Proposals such as installing solar panels for water heaters are effective and efficient, but some think it is too costly. Incentives such as free bus passes for tenants are sure to be popular, while hard rules such as replacement of old appliances or new strict requirements on building materials, may meet with resistance.
In the past, Berkeley was the first city in the United States to convert all of its diesel vehicles to bio-diesel. Berkeley is now the first city in the Bay Area to draft out concrete details of its long-term plan that guides residents toward the reduction of greenhouse gases.
Berkeley reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 9 percent between 2000 and 2005, according to city's reports. Greenhouse emissions, as measured in 2005 were comprised by 17 percent from diesel vehicles, 29 percent from gasoline vehicles, and 36 percent from natural gas, and 18 percent from electricity.
The actual plan of action is still being finalized, and is to be submitted to the Berkeley City Council in December of this year for approval.
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