Disaster plans: Cities persist with pointless climate ‘action’

 Many cities in the United States, ranging from small to large ones, are adopting climate action plans. These plans aim to measure, track, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while implementing adaptation measures.

1. Nature of Climate Action Plans:

These plans often emphasize the severe consequences of climate change, citing issues such as heat waves, droughts, and wildfires. For example, cities like San Francisco and Portland warn about the urgent need for action to prevent irreversible damage to the planet.

2. Criticism of Alarmist Predictions:

Skepticism is growing around the alarming predictions associated with climate action plans. Historical predictions have often been inaccurate, such as past claims about rising sea levels impacting East Coast beaches. Recent research indicates little evidence of an increase in extreme weather events directly tied to climate change.

3. Public Perception:

Surveys suggest limited public concern regarding becoming "greenhouse-gas refugees. " For instance, only 27% of Democrats believe that climate change will make it harder for them to stay in their area, showing a lack of widespread anxiety about climate issues.

4. Effectiveness of Urban Climate Policies:

There is debate over the effectiveness of cities in reducing carbon emissions, given that rural areas contribute significantly more to overall emissions despite covering more land. Moreover, cities have limited control over energy, transportation, and lifestyle choices that influence emissions.

5. Legal Changes and Growing Pressure:

Cities face pressure to implement stricter policies, such as banning natural gas. Recent court decisions have provided legal backing for such measures, indicating a trend towards more aggressive climate policies.

The movement for climate action in American cities is not just a fringe idea but an established policy practice. With ongoing political developments, there is potential for these initiatives to become even more ambitious in the future. 

https://www.pacificresearch.org/disaster-plans-cities-persist-with-pointless-climate-action/