Thirty years ago, the temperature in Los Angeles typically reached 90 degrees 56 days a year. By 2072, climate models suggest there could be 87 days annually when the temperature hits that mark.
This jump in extreme heat days is a consequence of human-induced climate change, but it’s not the only one. Warming weather is also contributing to sea level rise, worsening wildfires and droughts, and a host of other problems.
Over the past few weeks, you’ve been telling us your strategies for reducing your carbon footprint, including composting, avoiding single-use plastic and adopting a vegetarian diet. We’ve been soliciting your responses to prepare for a live event The New York Times is hosting in San Francisco examining our collective response to the climate challenge.
Here’s a sampling of what you shared, lightly edited for clarity:
“I’m only driving if I absolutely can’t reach my destination on my bike or public transportation. With our climate, that’s easy. It’s at least a quadruple win: I protect our air quality, reduce traffic, get some exercise, and save money. It’s a little challenging at first and then it’s normal. I love being able to stop and smell an iris or a rose as I pedal through a neighborhood, to sense a slight incline that I never noticed in my car, and to feel the breeze in my face. And, it makes me happy.” — Shannon Rose McEntee, Palo Alto
“I moved to California last summer and I am more aware than ever of the threats that climate change poses to our beautiful state. Major changes I have made have been cutting water use whenever possible and using my electricity primarily within the super off-peak time periods set by my provider. I’m looking into solar now so I can produce my own clean energy.” — Barton Lynch, San Diego
“Many of my friends are married and considering babies. A big part of the decision revolves around what their child’s quality of life would be due to climate change. What will it be like to live on the planet 85 years from now? Many are getting dogs.” — Shauncey Durkin, San Francisco
“In the interest of decreasing our load on this fragile planet, we have given up our large gas-powered S.U.V. and are now driving only our hybrid sedan. Since we are a one-car household, we consolidate trips out and about to complete as many tasks as possible in a single trip.
We wear our clothes just a little longer, so laundry is reduced. We do not run the water while brushing our teeth. We have resurrected the old saw, ‘If it’s yellow.’ I’m sure we’ll evolve even further as we look critically at our lives, and will learn something from the messages from other California readers.” — Barbara Bowden, Palo Alto
“I’ve lived in California for 45 years and each decade has brought more awareness and with it, behavioral changes regarding trying not to add to the problem of our finite global climate system. In the ’80s I switched to farmers’ markets for produce to eliminate unnecessary shipping. In the ’90s, while living in L.A., I moved closer to work to cut driving times, and even started riding my bike to work when I could. Eventually I moved to San Luis Obispo and opened a farmers’ market-centered restaurant to promote locally grown foods. Moving to a smaller town also allowed for more walking and biking.
In the past decade, we installed rooftop solar and switched to plug-in hybrids, utilizing the generous U.S. tax rebates available and California incentives to switch to electric. This past year, with more choices and incentives, we bought a fully electric car. On a more personal scale, my husband and I eliminated red meats from our diet last year and try to go meatless at least half the time. Once we got used to it, a meat-free diet didn’t seem that restricting.” — Charles Myers, San Luis Obispo
If you read one story, make it this
The closest hurricane to hover near Southern California in almost a quarter-century is hitting Baja and could lead to flash floods in the San Diego area, as well as winds that could fan wildfires. But the residual humidity may also help mitigate fire risk.
Where we’re traveling
Today’s tip comes from Merideth Hartsell-Cooper, who lives in Sacramento:
“When folks think of Sonoma, they inevitably think of wine. But there’s much more. For lifelong learners, amateur historians, and folks who revel in overlooked gems, Sonoma is home to a diamond: Sonoma State Historic Park, which encompasses the Vallejo Home, trails, and in downtown Sonoma, Mission San Francisco de Solano and the Sonoma Barracks. There are shops and restaurants to enjoy; while you’re in the area, drive a scenic 20 minutes to Jack London State Historic Park, where you will find more trails; the beautiful cottage Jack London and his wife Charmian shared and decorated with artifacts from their many globe-trotting adventures; and of course, the ruins of Wolf House, the Londons’ dream house.
When you’ve had your fill of natural beauty and history, you can unwind with the aforementioned wine.”
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We’ll be sharing more in upcoming editions of the newsletter.
Tell us
Californians: Have growing concerns about climate change affected how you live your life? Have you made any changes? If so, we want to hear about them. (Are you driving less, eating differently or changing your job?)
Email us at CAToday@nytimes.com. Please include your name and the city you live in.
This is part of a live event that The Times is hosting in San Francisco on Oct. 12 examining our collective response to the climate challenge. Learn more.
And before you go, some good news
Students returning to classes at Santa Barbara City College over the past few weeks have been painting a mural on campus celebrating diversity.
The mural is a project by the college’s Umoja program, a resource for enhancing the cultural and educational experience of Black and African American students, KCLU reports.
“Students can see that we are making an effort to show positive Blackness here on campus and that they have a safe place to just be themselves,” said Alicia Meyer, the student program adviser for the program.
Keenan Kelton, a student at the college, said it had been difficult to have classes online during the pandemic.
“But once I actually started coming into school, I didn’t really see too many Black students here,” Kelton told KCLU. “It’s good to see that even though there’s not many of us, we have this collective here and we can come out and do things like paint this mural.”
