Global Warming Gets Very, Very Local

Today is THURSDAY, July 7, 2011. Did you know that in 100 years, it's estimated that downtown Martinez will be under water? It was news to me, and not everyone believes it, but that was the scenario laid out by Jeremy Lowe of Environmental Science Associates. He was explaining to City Council members on Wednesday why the Bay Conservation and Development Commission, a state agency that regulates conservation and development along the shorelines, might extend its authority beyond its current boundaries. If the sea level rises, so do BCDC's boundaries, according to an amendment now being discussed by the agency. It's one of those convoluted issues that involves local, regional and state authority, and according to local attorney and downtown property owner Al Turnbaugh, it represents a BCDC power grab. But the interesting piece of information that came out of the presentation was the premise that the city will be underwater in 100 years because of global warming melting the ice caps and the sea level's subsequent rise. This brings up the entire question of the science of global warning, and what, if anything, we should do about it. The scientific community seems to stand pretty solidly behind the conclusions that we are entering a period of climate change, and need to prepare for the significant changes to our environment that will result. But others are just as sure that it's all hokum, a bunch of scientists trying to make money or grab headlines with scary stories about flooding and storms and droughts. Meanwhile, the general public is left to watch the debate and wonder who is right, and hope the leaders charged with making decisions make the correct ones. Because if they don't, there won't be any more outdoor dining on Main Street. Instead, we will have plenty of seafood choices. Very, very fresh seafood.

WEATHER:

Sunny with highs in the mid 80s to lower 90s, with winds 5 to 10 mph.

MEETINGS:

Today — The Marina Subcommittee (Mayor Rob Schroder and Councilman Mark Ross) lead several state agencies on a tour of the marina. The group meets at Martinez City Hall at 3 p.m., 525 Henrietta St.

EVENTS:

TODAY IN HISTORY:

1928 — Sliced bread is sold for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Co. of Chillicothe, Mo.

1930 — Industrialist Henry J. Kaiser begins construction of the Boulder Dam (now known as Hoover Dam).

1954 — Elvis Presley made his radio debut when WHBQ Memphis played his first recording for Sun Records, "That's All Right."

1981 — President Ronald Reagan appoints Sandra Day O'Connor to become the first female member of the U.S. Supreme Court.

2005 — A series of four explosions occurs on London's transport system, killing 56 people, including four alleged suicide bombers, and injuring more than 700.