The NRDC’s Daniel Lashof fields questions and suggests solutions, at the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club’s “Climate Change is Now” forum.
BY DONATHAN SALKALN | What if Chelsea were to be struck by another Sandy-like storm? Would we be better prepared, or would many be trapped with no water or electricity for days on end, and nowhere to go for help?
According to Daniel Lashof — director of the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund’s Climate & Clean Air Program — if Chelsea were to experience a future power failure, all elevator and water service could be restored to public housing’s high-rises, and community centers and schools could be powered to open up as emergency shelters and help centers at a minimal cost.
“There is an opportunity to build resilient solar-powered microgrids into our neighborhood that can isolate themselves from the power grid. If this Community Center had solar power on its roof with battery back-up, it could provide basic electricity for people [to use it as an emergency shelter]. The costs of solar power have come down in huge amounts over the last few years. The technology and economics are there,” said Lashof at Hudson Guild’s Elliott Center while addressing the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club’s February 21 “Climate Change is Now” forum.
“We have dumped unlimited quantities of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere for decades by burning coal, oil and natural gas,” Lashof explained. “CO2 traps heat and heat is the fuel that amplifies the extreme weather; not just storms, but heat waves and devastating droughts.”
The NRDC has charted over 3,500 monthly extreme weather records set in 2012 alone for heat, rain and snow. Lashof, who holds a BA in physics and math from Harvard and a doctorate from Berkeley, not only forecasted more storms, but also pointed his finger at fossil-fueled power plants as the biggest culprit. He did note, however, that the auto industry has made giant strides (prodding by the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] and President Obama has led to preparations for carbon and fuel efficiency). Lashof also offered updates and solutions at the individual, city, state and national levels. “As individuals, the choices we make in transportation, using Energy Star appliances, sealing of windows and instillation, they all add up,” he said.
On local and state levels Lashof brought positive reports — hailing the Bloomberg administration for creating “one of the greenest cities in the world. The NRCD is trying to replicate the successful programs that New York City has implemented, in other big cities around the country. On the state level, Governor Cuomo and New York State is a participant in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a nine state group that sets overall limits on power plant emissions. They recently released plans to reduce the allowed carbon pollution by 40 percent of what the cap used to be.”
It was at the federal level of fighting climate change where Lashof spoke the most passionately, emphasizing that the United States needs to set an example to the world (specifically, China and India) when participating in global climate talks.
“There are over 1,500 U.S. fossil power plants, coal, natural gas and a little of oil. They contribute over 40 percent of carbon pollution,” said Lashof, noting that legislative solutions are hindered by an immovable wall of U.S. Senators who continue to support what industry and jobs they still have in their states.
Environmental groups like the NRDC have chosen, instead, to lobby the existing laws — in particular, the Clean Air Act (a law that was confirmed by the Supreme Court). Their efforts have focused in demanding the EPA uphold its duty in enforcing the law and, hence, lowering the emissions of fossil-fueled power plants.
Lashof reported progress has been made, as the EPA is currently negotiating eco-friendly and attainable power plant standards on a state-by-state basis. He also expressed his opposition to the proposed Keystone Pipeline. “It will unlock a huge store of fossil fuels in Canada that are dirty and dangerous to produce,” Lashof stated.
After CRDC moderator Judy Richheimer and forum organizer John Johnson opened the floor to questions, CRDC member Leathea Vanadore asked Lashof what she could do to help the cause. Among his suggestions, including attending demonstrations in Washington, was to join the NRDC. “It only costs $10,” he said.
Donathan Salkaln is Vice President of the Chelsea Reform Democratic Club (the home club of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Assemblymember Richard N. Gottfried). The CRDC meets monthly to exchange political ideas on protecting the rights and improving the lives of those residing in Chelsea. Visit crdcnyc.org or email them at info@crdcnyc.org.
The Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund is located at 40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011. For more info, visit nrdc.org.
