Sustainability Measures in California
The sustainability concept has been described as the “current object of planning fascination” (Campbell, 1996). According to Senet (2014), California might be the leading economy in the globe to let go of fossil fuels as its major source of energy. Planned energy strategies in California nurture an economic environment which provides backing for renewable energy, innovative technology and energy efficacy. Specifically, proceeds from trade auctions and state’s cap, directives on utilities plus the venture capital attraction are funding the generation of renewable energy, energy efficacy programs in the buildings plus the application of clean transport schemes.
Though California leads the country in renewable energy and energy efficiency, a 2019 report by the American Lung Association shows that California towns lead the country in the requirement to decrease air and traffic pollution. Traffic is not only an environmental and health issue, but it is also a hindrance to economic output. Through conversion to a clean energy economy, the cities of California can come up with resolutions for air pollution plus traffic jamming.
California’s conversion to a clean energy economy is happening through; generation of renewable power and clean transport. Though energy guidelines plus rules are crucial to affect change, it is through the establishment of new innovative technologies and economical market forces that are causing the conversion to a clean energy economy. California has the biggest Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) as compared to any state in the country in the short term. Some utilities are expecting to achieve a 33 percent renewable power generation by the year 2020. San Diego Gas and Electric expected to get 33 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by the end of 2014, which was six years ahead of the state-mandated target in 2020 (Senet,2014).
In conclusion, to achieve sustainability, California’s proceeds from trade auctions and state’s cap, commands on utilities plus the venture capital attraction are funding the generation of renewable energy, energy efficacy programs in the buildings plus the application of clean transport schemes.
References
American Lung Association. (2019). State of the Air Report 2019.
Senet, E. T. (2014). Sustainability: How California Cities are Changing the World,”. USGBC homepage | U.S. Green Building Council. https://www.usgbc.org/sites/default/files/Sustainability-How-California- Cities-are-Changing-the-World.PDF