Can a Megacity Become Sustainable?: The Sustainable LA Grand Challenge Mark Gold, D.Env. UCLA Associate Vice Chancellor for Environment and Sustainability
Sustainable LA Grand Challenge: Thriving in a hotter Los Angeles Goal: Transition Los Angeles to 100% renewable energy, 100% locally sourced water, and enhanced ecosystem health and human health and well-being by 2050.
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Energy Research Objectives • Objective 1: Expand renewable energy generation • Objective 2: Design an integrated system for distribution and storage of renewable energy • Objective 3: Improve management of energy consumption • Objective 4: Ensure energy system sustainability
Water Research Objectives
• Objective 1: Maximize Local Water Supplies • Objective 2: Reduce Water Consumption • Objective 3: Improve Local Water Resource Management
Ecosystem & Human Health Research Objectives • Objective 1: Assess Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health • Objective 2: Enhance Ecosystem Health and Resiliency • Objective 3: Integrate Ecosystem Health and Human Health and Wellbeing
Morphosis – Thom Mayne, Eui-Sung Yi
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MAJOR WATER PROJECTS Federal – Central Valley Project (CVP) State – State Water Project (SWP) Local – Many other projects throughout state, including Colorado River system, Hetch Hetchy, EBMUD, Owens Valley Source: Water Environment Foundation
THE NEW NORMAL? • Precipitation, snowpack was at historically low levels until this year
Image Credit: http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/28705289/western-us-drought-having-big-impact-on-much-needed-spring-snowmelt, Yosemite Conservancy
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ENERGY AND GHG FOOTPRINT OF CITY OF LOS ANGELES WATER SUPPLIES • • • • • •
Imported water (Colorado River and CWP) – 1.29 MT of CO2/AF LA Aqueduct – 0 MT CO2/AF Groundwater – 0.3 MT CO2/AF Recycled Water – 0.59 MT CO2/AF Stormwater - negligible emissions Total in 2013-14 drought year = 1.01 MT CO2/AF = 600K MT CO2/year
In 2035 – After LA stops using coal, maximizes local water supplies (recycled water, stormwater capture, groundwater and conservation) and reaches the California 50% renewables mandate = 0.31 MT CO2/AF = 184K MT CO2/year.
@UCLAThinkGrand grandchallenges.ucla.edu/sustainable-la/
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