Oil & Gas Production Gap from WEF

The charts show the gap between the amount of coal, oil and gas global production planned by industry and governments (in red), and the amounts required to meet climate target constraints (World Economic Forum comprehensive report).

 

 "More than double the amount of fossil fuels could be produced in 2030 than would be consistent with limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C".   This is the key finding of UN Oil and Gas Production report (United Nations Environment Program UNEP Production Gap Report 2023). It says world governments planned production of oil and gas is more that double the amount consistent with holding global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Centegrade.

 The WEF adds “To retain any chance of limiting global warming below 1.5°C by the end of this century, global emissions must decrease by 7% annually until 2030" in its State of Climate Action report. However, emissions are currently rising by 1.5% a year. 

The Fossil Fuel industry makes up 80% of the worlds total energy production. 

What is Oil and Gas production worth?  Ans: $3500 Billion of which 50% goes to governments and 10% to shareholders. 

What is Clean energy production worth? Ans: $1800 Billion 

What is the Oil and Gas contribution to clean energy production? Ans: 1%

On top of this, the world is perilously close to using up its carbon budget - the amount of carbon fuels we can emit without without breaching 1.5°C temperature rises – says the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

“This leaves no room for new coal mines, oil and gas fields, or fossil-fuel-burning power plants, unless existing infrastructure is retired early,” UNEP adds in its report. What can be done to meet targets in the net-zero transition? For a comparison between cutting-out and phasing-out fossil fuel see the International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Summary "Oil and Gas Industry in Net Zero Transitions."

 Given this international framework to meet Climate goals the LB Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC) remains consistent with the GHG reduction in the Laguna Beach General Plan, but what is on the agenda of city leadership in Laguna Beach? 

• The City Council voted unanimously to develop 9-parking structures for cars ;
• The City is combating balloons and single-use shopping bags;
• The City is rescuing gum-trees.

To meet climate targets in 2030 and 2050 the City of Laguna Beach like world governments remains  challenged. 

-LS

110 Freeway Closed to Cars Today

What-if, nobody walks in LA?   

What people said:

"Is this LA"?

"Feels like a Dream"

"When's the next one going to happen"?

"I heard birds chirping, bike bells ringing, kids squealing with laughter."

This was ArroyoFest (LA DOT Hosted) a free event ... six miles of the historic parkway was closed to cars from 7 a.m. to about 11 a.m.

The word got out today, Twitter (X) post:

Credit: LA DOT and Thank you.

-LS

 

Viola Brand

 Think you can ride a bike?

-LS

Zoning Laws are a Choice

"The most safe, walkable neighborhoods are often the most expensive to live in. Why? Because demand is high, but supply is low. Local zoning laws restrict housing development within these places, and simultaneously prevent other places from becoming more like them. "   -Strong Towns

Photo: Re-thinking The Future dot com

That's right, Laguna would rather covet an empty 1932 Sewer Digester and rusting tool-sheds than build a sense of PLACE for community space and multi-use affordable housing.  When will Laguna abandon symbolic, historical metaphorical elements and return to fulfill basic resident and visitor needs, like the Promenade did?

-LS

Why Car-Centric Suburbia Needs Subsidy

When does urban density subsidize car-centric suburbia? When you do the math, mixed-use walkable downtown places outperform car-centric suburbia financially every single time.

In these studies older poorer neighborhoods subsidize newer car-centric suburbanites typically nation wide. Then why does Laguna Beach plan to build 9 spanking new parking structures with the illusion of new city revenue? Density is destiny, unless bankruptcy is your game.

-LS

Cyclist Fatality Glenneyre and Oak Street 7 October 2023

 RIP

Photo Credit LA Tmes.

Photo Credit Nixle Alerts

This is a 4-way stop, the mountain bike is mangled and the preliminary accident investigation reveals:

"one of the parties might not have stopped completely."

Just think about that a while. 

 https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/losangeles/news/bicyclist-killed-small-terrier-injured-in-laguna-beach-crash/

-LS

 

San Diego Plans for Walkable Communities

Fueled by faster, riskier drivers, bigger vehicles and less police enforcement of traffic laws, pedestrian deaths nationwide rose 77 percent to 7,624 deaths from 2010 to 2021, according to federal data. -NYT

In 2013 Phase 4 of San Diego's Pedestrian Master Plan was completed, now a push to include walkable infrastructure ensures the "best possible planning of walkable communities" for new and existing developments. The emphasis seeks to make the city more walkable.

As examples, the 5th Avenue Slow Street and the Normal Street Promenade should be replicated in other parts of the city. Streetscape elements such as street trees, trash cans, bicycle racks, park benches, public bathrooms are anticipated as part of the updated plans to make walking a more enjoyable experience.  

The plans are endorsed by San Diego City CouncilmemberRaul Campillo (@CMRaulCampillo on Twitter)  who proposed funding for pedestrian promenades like the Gaslamp Quarter and the upcoming Normal Street Promenade to be replicated in other parts of the City.  

In 2008 the Laguna Beach Complete Streets Task Force proposed, wrote and delivered a Pedestrian and Bicycle Masterplan to the LB City Council, no action was taken to adopt, approve or read the submitted master plan. At present the city of Laguna Beach produced a PARKING Master Plan but no Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan and no Councilmember to endorse one.

-LS

Preemption of Minimum Parking Requirements

A new federal law HR. 3145 introduced to the 23-24 Congress would preempt State and Local laws that require minimum parking requirements. The Bill named "People over Parking" will remove minimum parking requirements for both new developments and reconstructed or rehabilitated residential and retail construction.  Intent of the law:  

SEC. 2. Preemption of State and local laws requiring the provision of parking spots for new developments.

(a) Authority regarding provision of parking spots.—In the case of a newly constructed or substantially reconstructed or rehabilitated residential, retail, commercial, or industrial structure in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce that is located not more than 0.5 miles from the closest covered public transit point, or a project for such new construction or substantial reconstruction or rehabilitation that has been permitted or otherwise authorized by the appropriate agency of local government to be undertaken, the owner of such structure or project shall have the sole discretion to determine how many automobile parking spots to provide in connection with such structure.

 The intent of this bill is a measure to address climatic changes, GHG emissions and consistent with the Laguna Beach General Plan and Vision 2030 Strategies. Given the cost of added spaces for building nine parking structures at $182,000 per space is a welcome relief from the burden on residents, commercial development and visitors. 

It's time to think different about Laguna mobility and car parking, this legislation is timely relief from 1950 planning and essential for climate goals. 

-LS

Why We Cycle

The benefits from teaching cycling:

 

•  Health and Happiness
• Awareness
• Independence
• Responsibility
• We believe in you and trust you
  

"Cycling is a good metaphor for education."

-LS 

Alameda Elementary Bike-Bus

What is way more fun than a school bus

way more fun than Mom's van........

Another successful Portland bike-bus teaches students the fun of Active Transportation. 

Listen to the fun!

 

-LS