Climate Adaptation, not Carbon Neutrality
The first U.N.-sponsored Conference on Climate Change (COP-1) was held in Berlin, Germany, in 1995. Despite thirty years and trillions of dollars spent globally to reduce carbon emissions, atmospheric CO2 concentrations continue to rise steadily. China, India, and other countries (over half the world's population) are expanding, not reducing, coal and gas-fired power plants to support their rapidly growing industrial and transportation sectors. Because the international effort to reduce emissions has had zero impact on CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, U.S. funding for Carbon Neutrality projects is being reduced.
Meanwhile, we in Flagstaff have experienced a winter drought and are looking ahead to a perilous wildfire season. This threat comes on the heels of the devastating destruction caused by the LA wildfires. The comprehensive J.E. Fuller and NAU studies demonstrated that a similar fire on the Western side of the Peaks would, through both fire and flooding, destroy approximately 2,000 structures and create up to $2.8 billion in damage from Fort Valley to the city center. No wonder our insurance rates are skyrocketing or being canceled.Flagstaff desperately needs a comprehensive, standalone Adaptation Plan for Wildfire, Flooding, and Drought. Such a plan will promote coordination between city departments and with county, state, and federal agencies. It will disclose gaps and redundancies in programs and encourage the incorporation of new technologies. Most importantly, a Flagstaff Adaptation Plan will inform the public of all that is being done to protect their lives and property.