AgdaPkt 2014-10-20 Closed and Special Joint with SA_Revised_10_17_2014

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8.A. - Page 75 Section 4: Evaluation of Environmental Impacts 4.7 - GREENHOUSE GAS Potentially Less Than Less Than No Significant Significant with Significant Impact Impact Mitigation Impact Incorporation a) Generate greenhouse gas emissions, either directly or indirectly, that may have a significant ❑ ❑ ® ❑ impact on the environment? b) Conflict with an applicable plan, policy or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing the El emissions of greenhouse gases? a) Less than Significant Impact. Climate change is the distinct change in measures of climate for a long period of time. Climate change is the result of numerous, cumulative sources of greenhouse gas emissions all over the world. Natural changes in climate can be caused by indirect processes such as changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun or direct changes within the climate system itself (i.e. changes in ocean circulation). Human activities can affect the atmosphere through emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and changes to the planet's surface. Human activities that produce GHGs are the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas for heating and electricity, gasoline and diesel for transportation); methane from landfill wastes and raising livestock, deforestation activities; and some agricultural practices. Greenhouse gases differ from other emissions in that they contribute to the "greenhouse effect." The greenhouse effect is a natural occurrence that helps regulate the temperature of the planet. The majority of radiation from the Sun hits the earth's surface and warms it. The surface in turn radiates heat back towards the atmosphere, known as infrared radiation. Gases and clouds in the atmosphere trap and prevent some of this heat from escaping back into space and re- radiate it in all directions. This process is essential to supporting life on earth because it warms the planet by approximately 60° Fahrenheit. Emissions from human activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution (approximately 250 years ago) are adding to the natural greenhouse effect by increasing the gases in the atmosphere that trap heat, thereby contributing to an average increase in the earth's temperature. Greenhouse gases occur naturally and from human activities. Greenhouse gases produced by human activities include carbon dioxide (002), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N20), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Since 1750, it is estimated that the concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere have increased over 36 percent, 148 percent, and 18 percent, respectively, primarily due to human activity. Emissions of greenhouse gases affect the atmosphere directly by changing its chemical composition while changes to the land surface indirectly affect the atmosphere by changing the way the Earth absorbs gases from the atmosphere. BAAQMD recommends individual projects to have a greenhouse gas emissions inventory prepared to determine if individual projects exceed applicable screening or impact thresholds and will thus potentially contribute substantially to climate change and associated impacts. A summary of short- and long -term emissions and the analysis for each are included below. Short -Term Emissions Future development projects will result in short -term greenhouse gas emissions from construction. Greenhouse gas emissions will be released by equipment used for demolition, grading, paving, and other building construction activities. GHG emissions will also result from worker and vendor trips to and from project sites and from demolition and soil hauling trips. Construction activities are short term and cease to 99 United States Environmental Protection Agency. Frequently Asked Questions About Global Warming and Climate Change. Back to Basics. April 2009. 36 Redwood City Housing Element Initial Study