Beth was the MC, representing the Cool Cities team.

Julio Magalhaes talked about how he had realized that the climate change issue is a serious problem when he was working as a scientist back in the new millennium time frame. At the time he had worked for NASA at Ames Research Station. Now he coordinates climate policy for the Sierra Club and Cool Cities.

Carole McClelland of Green Career Central said that the future is bright for green careers.

     

Bruce Karney said that Mountain View has installed more solar systems in the last year than any city in California except San Jose and maybe San Diego.

Aileen La Bouff, Ecobroker/Realtor explained that she is working through her business to be more sustainable.

Gail Slocum of PG&E, a former San Mateo County Mayor, said that we can do it!

     

Sven Thesen of Calcars explained that plug in hybrid cars can be charged with 100% sustainable solar and/or wind power,  making them not part of the climate change problem. Even using electricity from the grid they are still a much better solution than gas cars because the electric motor is much more efficient than a gas motor.

Mayor Macias said that she has about 60 days left in her term as Mayor, and she wants to have a group organized to see what Mountain View can do on the Climate Change issue by the time she leaves office.

  

Council member Ronit Bryant spoke eloquently. Council member Margaret Abe-Koga talked about her husband, whom she considers to be a real environmentalist.

 

The remodeler listed a lot of things we could do around the home to make it more energy efficient. Things like replacing the seals around the fridge every few years, have energy star appliances, LPF light bulbs, and many other things.

Gary Bailey from the Sierra Club urged everybody to get involved with moving the issue forward through their Cool Cities program. Click here to visit Loma Prieta Cool Cities for more information.