Fossil Free by '33

In 2004, after more than three decades of environmental leadership, CEC drastically restructured to focus on a single mission: to move Santa Barbara County and our surrounding region away from fossil fuels in one generation. Given the urgent concerns of climate change, peak oil, and dependence on foreign oil, we strongly believe that this transition should be the top environmental and economic priorities for the region and nation.

Fossil fuels have played a pivotal role in the evolution of modern society; without them, we would likely still be living in an agricultural economy, with none of the benefits that we enjoy today in terms of transportation, medical advancements, sanitation, and entertainment. But a century of burning fossil fuels has taken its toll, and the time has come to find alternatives. CEC’s mission is to make today’s generation the last to rely on gasoline for fueling its cars, and coal- and natural-gas-created electricity for heating and lighting its buildings.

Why we need to replace fossil fuels

There are a number of serious, complex problems that arise from relying on non-renewable energy sources. Here are three:

About 70 percent of our nation’s oil demand is imported — much of this from politically unstable regions in the Middle East, making the American economy vulnerable to unfriendly foreign governments, terrorism, blackmail, or other disruptions in supply. In addition, protecting these resources requires military commitments that are expensive, in terms of both dollars and human life.
Fossil fuels emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere — the two major “greenhouse gases.” As these gases accumulate, they act as a blanket, keeping heat in our atmosphere and oceans, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences for our planet and everyone living on it. In the last century, global temperatures have risen an average of about 1.3° F, and twice that in polar zones. This may not seem like a large increase, but on a global basis, this is an incredibly fast, dramatic temperature rise.
Fossil fuels – which took millions of years to develop – are a limited resource. The phrase “peak oil” refers to that point in global oil production when the oil that remains in the ground becomes more difficult and less cost-effective to extract. While experts don’t agree on when we will reach the “peak” (or if we already have), all agree that we will – and soon. Over the last few years, we have started to experience some of the volatility in price and supply that many believe is related to peak oil.

How we can do it

The two biggest energy-using sectors in our region are buildings, which account for about 37 percent of our energy needs, and transportation, which accounts for about 48 percent. In our energy plan for Santa Barbara County – A New Energy Direction – CEC focuses on solutions in which there are available, cost-effective technologies, and where we have the potential for local influence.

For example, in the building sector, our communities can set stringent local building codes and educate and inspire designers and builders. However, in the transportation sector, fuel efficiency standards are set in Washington, D.C. and cars are designed and built in Detroit, Berlin or
Tokyo. This is not to say that we can’t influence energy use on our roads; to the contrary. We just need to take a creative approach that keeps in mind those things that we have control over.

For details on how our region can move away from fossil fuels, see Our plan for getting there .

How the Santa Barbara region can lead the way

California is in a unique position of influence, having recently passed the most comprehensive global warming solutions bill in the nation (AB 32). As with recycling 20 years ago, many states are now waiting to see what type of mandates and voluntary programs California will propose before they take action of their own. As the 6th largest economy in the world and one of the most influential states in the nation, what happens here matters.

Santa Barbara, too, is in a unique position. Our region has access to an array of renewable energy resources – particularly the sun, wind and ocean – and our communities are defined by a level of deep environmental concern. While we may not be the largest or most influential region in the state, we are perfectly positioned to serve as a testing ground. When it comes to making political and societal changes, Santa Barbara is small enough to be able to change course with relative speed, and yet large enough to matter when those changes are made.