Promote clean air emissions
To: Anni Marshall, Mayer, City of Avalon; Ted Apodaca, Editor Catalina Islander
I am writing in response to the Catalina Islander article “Catalina Express faced with stark options if new air regulations take affect”, and the subsequent letter to the editor by Claire Bourke.
I’d like to reframe this conversation from the perspective of the proposed regulations.
I recently read the February 28, 2022 publication “Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability- Summary for Policymakers”, written by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (“IPCC”, the UN’s body for assessing the science related to climate change). The 37-page summary can be found at this website: IPCC_AR6_WGII_SummaryForPolicymakers.pdf.
This report shows that human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. People and ecosystems least able to cope are being hardest hit.
It shows that climate change is a grave and growing threat to our wellbeing and a healthy planet.
It shows that our current actions will shape how people adapt and how nature responds to increasing climate risks in the future.
The IPCC Climate Change 2022 report describes with very high confidence levels the unavoidable climate hazards and damages that occur with an increase of 1.5°C warming, and the escalating risks with every increment of global warming above that level.
The magnitude and rate of climate change and associated risks depend strongly on mitigation actions over the next 10 years, although many of the risks detailed in the report are now unavoidable, irrespective of (greenhouse) emission scenario. The report states with high confidence, for example, that accelerating sea level rise will encroach on coastal settlements and that future sea level rise combined with storm surge will compound flood risks.
Brining this home, the risk of droughts and fresh water insecurity is rated high in most small island locations. Of course, Avalon is already rated a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone by CAL FIRE, their highest rating.
The recent Catalina Islander article about the challenges faced by the Catalina Express states that the Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) Regulation to reduce emissions was adopted in 2007, was amended in 2010 and will be fully implemented by the end of 2022 when Tier 4 engine technology will need to replace certain existing diesel engines.
The Air Quality Management District (AQMD) states that such actions have the potential to improve long term air quality, and to reduce long term energy demand in the South Coast Air Basin (2016 State Strategy for the State Implementation Plan Resolution 17-7 (ca.gov)).
I encourage Avalon residents not to oppose the proposed CHC regulations, or its timeline, but to join Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall’s efforts to find ways to help fund the Catalina Express Tier 4 engine upgrades through grants or other means. I
know when the SCI Co. boats required engine upgrades they were able to secure AQMD Carl Moyer Program (CMP) grants to purchase the Moonstone upgrade in 2009, and the Seawolf upgrade in 2012.
Although this particular funding is no longer available there may be other assistance programs.
I encourage the Avalon City Council to promote clean emissions, and to develop public/private partnerships with businesses such as the Catalina Express that are hard-hit.
In the Islander article Mr. Bombard said he understands and supports the environmental goals of the CHC rule changes.
In the end there will be financial and convenience costs to all of us if we want to minimize the devastating effects of climate change that are already taking place.
The science tells us this requires immediate and meaningful action.
According to the IPCC 2022 Climate Change report, “The extent and magnitude of climate change impacts are larger than estimated in previous assessments… with adverse socioeconomic consequences.”
The financial costs of implementing recommended mitigation, such as the proposed Tier 4 engine upgrades, will be much less than the cost of doing nothing, or of postponing action on climate change.
The answer isn’t to pass the buck to the next generation, when the damage to our planet will be exponentially worse and likely irreversible. We need to face the climate crisis head on, today.
I hope the costs of Tier 4 engine upgrades for the Catalina Express can be subsidized through grant funding or other financing options, but upgrades of the magnitude required will likely cost their company, and will likely result in increased costs to their passengers.
If we lived in San Diego we would be debating the new “road charge” for driving, while numerous other locations are also grappling with the costs of implementing responsible climate policies.
I want my grandsons to be able to grow up enjoying the beautiful natural world in which we were blessed to grow up.
It’s worth it to me to pay the extra cost of boat fare to make it more likely they will have this opportunity, and I’ll happily participate in efforts to raise funds for island residents who can’t afford the increased boat costs.
Yes, it may mean our visitor counts could drop. But the call to action is urgent.
The IPPC 2022 Climate Change Report states “The cumulative scientific evidence is unequivocal: Climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health.
Any further delay in concerted anticipatory global action on adaptation and mitigation will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all” (this statement is rated at a “very high confidence” level).
Dawn Sampson
Avalon
