Why We Care - the Climate is in Crisis

If climate is the normal weather pattern then climate change is the disruption of those normal patterns. Some scientists call it climate weirding and it is causing more extreme weather events, droughts, fires, and floods. 

We are putting 152 million tons of manmade global warming pollution into the atmosphere every single day. That pollution — especially carbon dioxide (CO2) — is building up and it’s trapping heat. Energy from the sun comes to Earth in the form of light. That energy is absorbed by the Earth and warms it. Some of that energy is re-radiated from the Earth in the form of heat. Some of that outgoing heat is trapped by the atmosphere, which is a good thing — it has kept our planet at a stable temperature. Now, however, we have been “thickening” the atmosphere by filling it with heat-trapping pollution. More heat energy is trapped, and it is warming our planet at an unprecedented rate. 

There are many sources of human-caused global warming pollution: agricultural practices, forest burning, transportation, and many other factors. But the main source and cause of the rising global temperatures we are seeing today is the burning of fossil fuels.  Fossil fuels still provide more than 80 percent of the world’s energy. Fossil fuel use and emissions have gone up dramatically since World War II.  As a result of this pollution being trapped in the atmosphere, global temperatures have risen dramatically. Nineteen of the 20 hottest years ever measured with instruments have occurred since 2001.

To control climate change, we need to stop burning fossil fuels and replace them with renewable energies like Wind, Water, and Solar. We have the technologies and with increased adoption, prices are dropping.. Now it’s time for individuals, businesses, and policy makers to deploy them.

Here in San Anselmo most of our emissions come from transportation and the natural gas that we use to power our homes and businesses. There are many ways for San Anselmo residents to put the brakes on climate change - by making the switch to clean transportation and clean power in our homes and businesses, improving our energy efficiency, and reducing our waste. We have included links to help you learn how.

Learn More

United Nations Climate Reports
Key reports on climate impacts and solutions from around the United Nations.

Berkeley CoolClimate Calculator
Use this website and enter key information to determine your “carbon footprint. ” to learn where you can take action to better the planet.

MCE Clean Energy
Sign up with MCE and choose the deep green option to power your home. A monthly increase equal to around the cost of a cup of coffee means powering your home with 100% clean energy like solar, without having to add panels to your roof!

Take a Resilient Neighborhood Course
In this free 5-session workshop you will reduce your carbon footprint and get prepared for emergencies. Taking simple actions like trimming energy and waste, conserving water, and making smarter transportation choices can save money too. You’ll see the positive results of your actions and help build a stronger and safer community. 

The Story of Plastic (Animated Short)
A new video from the story of stuff project! Help write a new story of plastic. Together, we can break free from plastic and create a future where people and the planet come first!

Marin Tracker
This map from the Marin Climate and Energy partnership shows how each community’s emissions have changed over time relative to the 2005 baseline year. See how Marin County compares to other Bay Area counties at Vital Signs. 

Marin Climate Challenge
Join the Marin Climate Challenge and help create a safer, healthier future.

Electrify Marin
The County of Marin is offering rebates to single family property owners for the replacement of natural gas appliances with efficient all-electric units, including water heaters, furnaces, ranges and cooktops. Replacing natural gas appliances with electric models will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality, and make your home a safer environment.

Climate Safe California
|Climate-Safe California is a bold suite of policies to address the climate crisis. It is a unique, urgently needed, and comprehensive campaign that will catalyze similar efforts in other states, the nation, and the world. Endorse Climate-Safe California here.

https://marinefm.org/
At Environmental Forum of Marin (EFM), we're all about education for action. Our founders started by protecting Marin's natural beauty and wild shorelines. Thanks to our EFM members that proud legacy continues

MarinCAN:
Marin is a community-driven campaign to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, prepare for climate change impacts, and meaningfully address and integrate equity. Drawdown: Marin works with Marin County residents, businesses, organizations, agencies, and local governments to design and implement local climate change solutions.

Cal-Adapt
Great website that tracks California's climate change research and has excellent interactive mapping tools.

California Climate Change Portal
This is the state's general website on climate change including information on current research and resources for individuals, businesses and local governments wanting to take action.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Organization established by the United Nations Environment Programme & World Meteorological Organization in 1988 to provide the world with a clear scientific view on the current state of knowledge in climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic impacts.

Bay Area Air Quality Management District Climate Program
BAAQMD's page on climate protection includes information on their programs and information on their work related to AB32.

350BayArea.org
A grassroots movement striving for deep greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The site includes information on how residents can take action and includes an up to date calendar on climate events throughout the Bay Area.