And A Climate

Change Action Plan:

Taking Personal

Responsibility

Climate Change Effects to Colorado Forests and Wildfire Frequency

Climate Change Effects to Forests Mountain Pine Beetle and Pine SawflySpruce Beetle and BudwormSudden Aspen Decline

Increases in Fire Intensity and FrequencyA Climate Change Action Plan: Taking Personal Responsibility

Forest Insect PestsMountain pine beetle outbreaks since 1998 -3.4 million acres affected

Warmer winter temperatures increase insect winter survival

Warmer spring temperatures: earlier and more reproductive cycles

Newest outbreak: pine sawfly south of Denver

Spruce Beetles and BudwormsSpruce beetle outbreaks have increased over 5 years - 398,000 acres of active infestation in 2013

Western spruce budworm defoliated 156,000 acres in 2013

Insect-killed trees add fuel to wildfires; increase fire intensity for 1-2 years

Sudden Aspen DeclineRapid, landscape-scale deterioration of canopy

1.21 MM acres affected in Colorado from 2000-2010

1/3 (237,000 ac) of GMUG NF aspen affected

Severe drought (2002) created conditions for insects and disease to invade and kill trees

Wildfire Intensity & FrequencyIncreased area burned predicted from increased temperatures of 1.8⁰F

Increased forest insect outbreaks increases fire frequency

100% increase predicted in Western U.S. by 2050

200-500% increase predicted in Colorado

Forests and Wildfire SummaryProjected rates of climate change are faster than rates of response in natural systems

Increased temperatures are already affecting plants, animals, and humans

Loss of aspen and spruce predicted on West Elks, Uncompahgre Plateau, parts of Grand Mesa (47% of suitable spruce habitat)

A Climate Change Action PlanDelaying action will increase future costs.

As individuals, we have the opportunity to affect public policy (i.e. EPA Clean Carbon rule-making);

We can vote for needed changes through the political process (support candidates for change);

We can work to change local regulations (zoning rules, building codes, HOA guidelines); and

We can make personal choices each day to reduce our carbon footprint.

Household Energy ConsumptionU.S. population is 4-5% of total world population, but consumes 25% of all fossil fuels and produces 25% of total carbon emissions

The U.S. consumes an average of 57.8 barrels of oil equivalent per person each year

Personal household energy use consumes 2/3 of the total: 10 barrels for food, 13.5 barrels for cars, and 15.4 barrels for homes for total of 39 barrels of oil

U.S. uses twice the energy/person than Europe and 9 times the energy/person of developing countries

Energy Impact of Buildings40% of total energy and 39% of CO2 generated in the U.S. comes from heating, cooling & lighting buildings

World average CO2 production from buildings is 9%.

U.S. buildings are larger and less efficient; have doubled in size since 1950’s .

Technology exists and is being used in Europe to reduce home energy use by 80-90% (NetZero homes).

As individuals, we can choose to live a more energy efficient lifestyle.

Reducing Home Energy UseTurn down thermostat in winter, up in summer. Each degree saves 3-4% on energy use and cost.

Use ceiling or room fans to increase comfort in summer; moving air feels 5 degrees cooler.

Replace water heater with on-demand unit; turn down water temperature or use timer on older units.

Add insulation and storm windows to older homes.

Change to fluorescent or LED light bulbs.

Turn OFF electronics (with power strip)

Replace older appliances with Energy Star rated ones.

Reducing Community Energy UseBuilding codes and HOA requirements can become more energy-friendly.

Require LEED or similar ratings for public buildings.

Require Energy Star ratings for new homes.

Encourage Energy Star standards for new construction:

2”x6” construction = R-19 rated walls

24 inch attic insulation = R-49-60 attics

Insulated foundation and floors; low E windows

Energy Star appliances (furnace, air, water heater)

Improving HOA Energy StandardsAllow for smaller homes to be included within existing and new subdivisions. U.S. homes have doubled in size in the past 50 years while family size has decreased.

Allow for non-standard looking, passive solar homes (earth bermed, concrete-foam block construction, etc.)

Allow for standing-seam metal roofs; a light colored metal roof reflects 4x the solar energy as an asphalt roof.

Energy Impact of Food SupplyPrior to 1945, it took 1 calorie of human or animal muscle energy to produce 5 calories of food.

The “Green Revolution” after WWII was based on use of agricultural petrochemicals and fertilizers.

Now it takes 10 fossil fuel calories to produce 1 calorie of food in the U.S.

Food production consumes 17% of our total energy.

There are around 120-150 basic foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, dairy products, fish, meat).

U.S. manufactures over 300,000 food “products” using fossil fuels at every stage.

Human Impact of Food Supply2/3 of adults in U.S. are overweight, lifespan is shorter despite spending 2x for health care as Europe, Canada

On average Americans eat 2200 pounds of “food” per year; 1100 calories/day more than needed.

Meat consumption has doubled since 1935; we eat 100 pounds more meat each year than Europeans.

More energy is needed to produce 1 calorie of meat protein (25 calories) than plant protein (2.2 calories)

Livestock production produces more greenhouse gases (18% worldwide) than transportation use.

Reducing Food Energy BudgetReduce overall meat consumption.

When you do buy meat, buy grass-fed meat rather than grain fed (uses ½ the energy to produce).

Eat whole foods rather than manufactured food “products” that take energy to produce, package and ship (shop outside aisles of supermarket).

Eat seasonally and buy locally to reduce transportation costs of food (farmers markets, farm stands).

When available, buy organic foods grown without petrochemical-based fertilizers and pesticides.

Transportation Energy Impact2009: 254 million registered passenger vehicles; 50 million more than registered drivers.

Average gas mileage in 2009 for all passenger vehicles was 17.1 mpg.

As vehicles have improved slightly in efficiency, U.S. drivers have increased miles driven/year, negating any fuel savings.

Reducing Transportation EnergyBuy most fuel-efficient vehicle you can afford.

Drive fewer miles; group errands to make fewer trips.

Drive slower: 55 miles/hour uses 23% less fuel than 75 miles/hour

Carpool or share rides to work, school, meetings.

Use public transportation when possible.

Walk or bike for short errands.

What If We Are Wrong?If we take action now, based upon the 95% of scientists who believe that climate change is affected by human activity, and discover later that they were wrong:

We will have conserved fossil fuels for future use

We will have reduced carbon and methane air pollution

We will have increased renewable energy sources

If we wait to take action, based upon the 5% of scientists who don’t believe human activity affects climate, and discover later that they were wrong:

It may be too late/too costly to make effective changes

The ones that are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the

ones that do.Anonymous

Sources

2013. Colorado State Forest Service. Report on the Health of Colorado Forests.

2011. National Research Council. Climate Stabilization Targets.

2008. Pat Murphy. Plan C: Community Survival Strategies for Peak Oil and Climate Change. New Society Publishers.

2014. Jim Worrall and Susan Marchetti. “Climate Change Projections for Picea engelmannii” and “Sudden Aspen Decline”. USDA Forest Service.