Climate change a top concern for meteorologists at Operation Sierra Storm National Weather Conference
Jan 28, 2025
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The pristine waters of Lake Tahoe, nestled amidst the towering Sierra Nevada mountains, have long drawn visitors from around the world. But this iconic landscape is facing a growing threat: climate change.
Tahoe is not the only place facing this threat, it's a national and global concern, and a key topic here at operation Sierra storm by almost every speaker, including Claire Martin a retired Canadian Meteorologist.
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"I think it's a case of seeing right in front of you and seeing how far from average everything has become, I mean every event now. When someone says to me is that climate change, I literally say yes."
According to NOAA, 2024 was the hottest year on record globally, steadily increasing since the mid 1800's. While not everyone agrees with this theory, it's top discussion among scientist and those on the political side of the equation.
"Their side, your side and you come together in the middle. There will always be extenuating circumstances for every event, and there will always be underlying reason for event and there will always be enhancing reason for event. And two out of those three are climate change," Martin explained.
Another key topic was how to reduce our carbon footprint, and efforts to reduce millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Rob Jackson is the author of "Into the Clear Blue Sky" and chair of the Global Carbon Project. He travels all around educating people on how to reduce fossil fuels that he says is making our planet unlivable.
"We take measurements in people's homes and try to reduce air pollution they are breathing either what comes into their homes or that's generated in the flames from gas appliances like there stoves."
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Bakersfield as we know is surrounded by ag and oil. it's also no secret we have the worst air quality in the nation for a major city. we have all driven around town in that nasty haze, and that's concerning for Jackson.
"There are concerns because there is such a concentration of outdoor pollution that centers around Bakersfield, some of that outdoor pollution makes it indoor, if your living in a place where the outdoor air is dirty and it's 115 outside and you cant open a window to clean your indoor air to try and get cleaner air outside in, it's not practical and the outdoor air is dirty to, so yes I think people in that area face stronger health risks than the average people in the country, that's the reason we are working there," Jackson explained.
Two great speakers at operation Sierra storm. Both having a passion for a better earth. Each doing there part to bring awareness and understanding to a growing climate problem. A problem that they feel can't be ignored.
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