LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man shot fatally by a deputy sheriff during a confrontation in Clearlake Oaks on Saturday night.
Craig Ellis See, 34, of Lower Lake, was the man who died after being shot by Deputy Wesley Besgrove, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
Paulich said the sheriff’s office has had minimal contact with See for theft and trespass issues.
See was identified as a suspect in an assault with a firearm case earlier this month, Paulich said.
Authorities said that See and Besgrove became involved in an altercation shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of the Clearlake Oaks Dollar General store. Reports from the scene said See was armed with a knife.
Paulich said previously that the altercation ended in a creek bed just west of the Dollar General.
See died of his injuries at the scene. Besgrove was treated at Adventist Health Clear Lake for injuries including a fractured leg, head contusion and bite marks, according to Paulich.
Besgrove has been a patrol deputy for a year, working three years in corrections previous to that, Paulich said.
Paulich said Besgrove has been placed on administrative leave, as is protocol in such incidents.
Authorities have so far not given more details about the fight between See and Besgrove or how many times See was shot.
The Lake County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation of the incident, which is its responsibility under the county’s critical incident protocol.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County marked another strong month for employment in November, according to the latest report from the California Employment Development Department.
In November, Lake County’s jobless rate was 4.5 percent, tying for the fourth-lowest rate recorded over the past 29 years. The county’s November 2018 unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
Lake County had its lowest rate in the past three decades – 3.7 percent – in September, as Lake County News has reported.
November’s rate ties with August, also at 4.5 percent. In October, the county recorded a 4.1-percent rate and 4.2 percent in May.
Lake County’s November jobless rate ranks it No. 36 of California’s 58 counties.
Neighboring county jobless rates for November are: Colusa, 10.5 percent; Glenn, 4.7 percent; Mendocino, 3.4 percent; Napa, 2.6 percent; Sonoma, 2.4 percent; and Yolo, 3.6 percent, the report said.
For California as a whole, the report said unemployment remained at a record low of 3.9 percent in November, after registering the same rate in October. State unemployment was 4.1 percent in November 2018.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said the November nationwide unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, down from 3.6 percent in October and 3.7 percent in November 2018.
Across California, the Employment Development Department said employers added 28,400 nonfarm payroll jobs in November, contributing to a record job expansion in California of 117 months, surpassing the long expansion of the 1960s.
California has gained 3,414,700 jobs since the expansion began in February 2010, accounting for more than 15 percent of the nation’s 22,537,000 job gain over the same timeframe, the Employment Development Department said.
Total nonfarm jobs in California’s 11 major industries totaled 17,604,300 in November. The state said total nonfarm jobs increased by 321,800 jobs, a 1.9-percent increase, from November 2018 to November 2019 compared to the U.S. annual gain of 2,204,000 jobs, a 1.5-percent increase.
A monthly federal survey of 5,100 California households which focuses on workers in the economy estimated that the number of Californians holding jobs in November was 18,730,500, an increase of 53,700 from October and up 22,700 from the employment total in November of last year.
The number of unemployed Californians was 761,700 in November, a decrease of 3,700 over the month and down by 39,800 compared with November of last year, based on the survey.
In November, there were 293,595 people receiving Unemployment Insurance benefits during the survey week in November compared to 260,709 in October and 261,022 people in November 2018.
Concurrently, 49,436 people filed new claims in November which was a month-over increase of 10,035 people, the Employment Development Department reported.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has released new details about a Saturday night incident in which a deputy fatally shot a man after being injured in a confrontation with him.
The incident occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Saturday near the Clearlake Oaks Dollar General store, located at 13090 E. State Highway 20, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
Paulich on Sunday said the deputy involved was Wesley Besgrove.
The name of the man who was shot and died at the scene is not being released pending notification of next of kin, Paulich said.
It was in the Dollar General parking lot that Paulich said Besgrove and the male subject – who was reported to have been armed with a knife – came into contact.
Paulich said the altercation between the deputy and man ended in a creek bed just west of the Dollar General.
The reason for the contact, number of shots fired and where the male subject was struck is all part of the ongoing investigation that Paulich said is being conducted by the Lake County District Attorney’s Office under the auspices of the county’s critical incident protocol.
Paulich said Besgrove had several injuries related to the altercation including a fractured leg, head contusion and bite marks.
Besgrove was treated and released at Adventist Health Clear Lake, Paulich said.
Paulich said Besgrove was the only deputy at the scene during this incident.
Paulich told Lake County News that Besgrove has been employed by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office for four years. Three of those years were spent in corrections, and he’s been on patrol as a deputy a little over a year.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Firefighters were able to quickly contain a structure fire at Big Valley Rancheria on Monday evening.
The fire was located in the 1400 block of Mission Way, a few blocks across from the tribe’s Konocti Vista Casino.
The glow and smoke column could be seen along Soda Bay Road on Monday night.
Firefighters were first dispatched to the incident shortly before 6:45 p.m.
Lakeport Fire personnel arriving at the scene reported finding a fully involved shed, as well as a burning vehicle, based on radio traffic. There were other buildings nearby but initial reports didn’t indicate if they were in fact damaged.
Radio reports indicated the fire was contained shortly after 7 p.m., with the incident terminated a half-hour later.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As a new year approaches, the California Highway Patrol said all motorists can resolve to celebrate safely.
The CHP is reminding everyone to buckle up, avoid distractions while behind the wheel, and have a plan in place if you intend to consume alcohol or other intoxicating substances.
The agency will start off the year with a New Year’s Day Maximum Enforcement Period, or MEP, during which it will be deploying all available personnel from 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, to 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1.
The CHP said it will focus on impaired drivers, but officers will also watch for distracted driving, speeding and seat belt violations.
“As always, our officers will be at the service of motorists in need of assistance,” the agency reported.
The CHP reported that during its 30-hour-long Christmas Day Maximum Enforcement Period, 10 people were killed in collisions in California and more than half of the victims killed were not wearing a seat belt.
Additionally, CHP officers made 271 arrests for driving under the influence during the Christmas MEP.
To help keep the roadways safe during the New Year’s holiday, the CHP is joining forces with five other Western states with the slogan, “No safe place for impaired drivers,” to crack down on drunk and drugged driving for the coming holiday weekend.
In partnership with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the state patrols of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington will work as a Western States Traffic Safety Coalition to place special emphasis on the enforcement of drug-impaired driving.
The states will jointly stress that driving under the influence means drugs as well as alcohol in their educational efforts.
According to data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, during the 2018 New Year’s MEP, which was 102 hours in length, at least 25 people were killed and 270 others were injured in collisions involving impaired drivers on California roadways.
In addition, CHP officers made 1,140 arrests for impaired driving during the same period.
“Please make smart choices this holiday season. Driving while impaired can have tragic results,” CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Whether impaired by alcohol or drugs, the result can lead to arrest, injury, or death. Either way, the impact will be life-altering.”
The CHP said there is no reason to place yourself behind the wheel while impaired. Have a plan. Public transportation, taxis, ride-sharing, or a designated sober friend or family member are the safe options.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of safety, service and security.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A man is dead and a deputy injured following a late Saturday night incident in Clearlake Oaks.
At 9:50 p.m. Saturday, a Lake County Sheriff’s deputy shot a male subject who was armed with a knife in the area of Highway 20 near the Dollar General store in Clearlake Oaks, according to Lt. Corey Paulich.
Paulich said medical aid was provided, but the male subject died from his injuries.
The deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, Paulich said.
Radio reports indicated that the subject was down in a creekbed by the Dollar General. Deputies responding to the scene were directed to use caution due to possible crossfire across Highway 20.
Sheriff Brian Martin said the white male adult who was shot and died in the incident had not yet been positively identified.
Late Saturday, Martin had little information about what led to the shooting, explaining that investigators were waiting for the deputy’s attorney to arrive so they could conduct an interview about what occurred.
Paulich said the county’s critical incident protocol was initiated and the Lake County District Attorney’s Office was contacted to assume investigative responsibilities for this incident.
The name of the deputy is not yet being released, Paulich said.
He said the deputy will be placed on paid administrative leave as is standard protocol for incidents of this nature.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport City Councilmember Mireya Turner has been appointed to the National League of Cities 2020 Community and Economic Development federal advocacy committee.
This committee has the lead responsibility for developing for the National League of Cities, or NLC, its federal policy positions on issues involving housing, community and economic development, land use, recreation and parks, historic preservation and international competitiveness.
The appointment was announced by NLC President Joe Buscaino, councilmember for the city of Los Angeles.
“I am honored and excited for the opportunity to bring Lakeport’s rural city voice to this national table, and to glean new ideas from cities around the country,” Turner said.
As a committee member, Turner will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities and towns before Congress, with the administration and at home.
“NLC’s federal advocacy committees ensure policymakers in Washington understand the most pressing issues facing local communities,” said Buscaino. “I am proud to have Mireya Turner join NLC's Community and Economic Development committee on behalf of her residents. Together, with a team of local officials from across the country, we will strengthen the federal-local partnership, and ultimately create stronger cities, towns and villages.”
The leadership of this year’s committee will consist of Chair Kevin Thompson, councilmember for Mesa, Arizona; Vice Chair Kristopher Dahir, councilman for Sparks, Nevada; and Vice Chair Emmett Jordan, mayor, Greenbelt, Maryland.
The most destructive and costliest wildfire in California’s history, the Camp Fire, killed 85 people and destroyed nearly 19,000 structures in November 2018. A year later, crews were still collecting and carrying away piles of wood, metals, appliances, contaminated soil, toxic household chemicals, and other debris and waste totaling more than 3.2 million metric tons – roughly the weight of 2 million cars.
Hurricane Michael, which hit Florida in October 2018, left about 13 million cubic meters of debris. To visualize what that looks like, picture a pile of 13 million boxes, each the size of a washer and dryer. More than a year later, crews were still removing the waste.
Dealing with enormous quantities of debris and waste materials is one of the most significant challenges for communities in the wake of natural disasters. Often this task overwhelms local waste managers, leaving waste untouched for weeks, months or even years.
As researchers who study urban engineering, disaster management and planning, and waste management, we see this as a critical and under-studied problem. Disasters will continue to happen and the losses they cause will continue to grow as a result of climate change, population growth, urbanization, deforestation and aging infrastructures. Societies urgently need better strategies for dealing with the wastes these events leave behind.
Trails of wreckage
Climate-related disasters like floods, landslides, storms, wildfires, and extreme hot and cold waves afflict millions of people around the world. These events have been increasing over time, particularly over the past several decades, and so have the losses they cause.
In 2018, at least 300 major natural disasters wreaked havoc worldwide, including 14 billion-dollar disasters in the United States alone. Through November 2019, 276 such events had occurred worldwide, with multiple billion-dollar disasters in the U.S.
Disasters commonly produce thousands to millions of tons of debris in a single event. For example, waste from hurricanes includes vegetation, such as trees and shrubs; municipal solid waste, such as household garbage; construction and demolition materials; vehicles; and household hazardous materials, including paints, cleaning agents, pesticides and pool chemicals.
Debris from wildfires largely consists of ash, contaminated soils, metal and concrete, along with other structural debris and household hazardous items such as paints, cleaners, solvents, oils, batteries, herbicides and pesticides.
Dangerous and in the way
Debris collection and cleanup following a disaster is a slow, expensive and dangerous process. First, crews clear out debris from roads used for rescue efforts. They then move the material to temporary storage areas. No one has yet invented a way to easily sort or contain hazardous materials, so they remain mixed into the debris mass. This poses major challenges for reusing and recycling post-disaster waste.
Beyond direct health and safety risks, debris also threatens the environment. It can emit air pollutants and contaminate groundwater, surface waters and soil. Uncollected debris and waste can hamper rescue and recovery efforts and slow down rebuilding efforts.
As an example, when Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans in 2005, it left behind an estimated 75 million cubic meters of waste that interfered with and slowed down recovery efforts. The debris included close to 900,000 white goods, such as refrigerators, 350,000 cars and more than 16,000 metric tons of rotten meat. Cleanup costs were estimated at roughly US$4 billion.
Toward reusing disaster waste
At an expert workshop that we organized in May 2019, we identified steps for sustainably managing disaster debris and waste. As we see it, the key tasks are to (1) identify what is contained in these wastes; (2) find better approaches to recycling and reuse; (3) design new technologies to identify hazardous components and sort the different types of waste; and (4) develop markets to promote reuse and recycling.
Today public officials and planners know little about the amount and types of materials generated during disasters – what they contain, in what proportions, whether they are large and sortable versus fine and mixed, and how much can be reused or recycled. Developing new technologies and management approaches that can assist debris characterization, reuse and recycling should be a top priority.
For example, drones and autonomous sensing technologies can be combined with artificial intelligence to estimate amounts and quality of debris, the types of materials it contains and how it can be repurposed rapidly. Technologies that allow for fast sorting and separation of mixed materials can also speed up debris management operations.
Turning the problem around, creating new sustainable construction materials – especially in disaster-prone areas – will make it easier to repurpose debris after disasters.
Finally, new business models can help generate demand for and access to waste and recycled products. With proper sorting, some disaster materials can be used to make new products or materials. For example, downed whole trees can become timber resources for furniture makers. Today, opportunities to match materials with markets are wasted – pun intended.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Taking a walk on a foggy morning is like pushing the mute button.
The surroundings are cloaked in a mysterious vapor that renders the environment nearly silent.
You can imagine that you're strolling in a black and white photograph from your childhood. (That is, if you're old enough to remember those pinking-sheared edge pictures of your past.)
Or, you can imagine that you're meandering in a black and white film noir setting in a misty bog. The damp fingers of Spanish moss drape down from the oaks, lending the proper ambiance for a fog-walk, and a deer is rendered nearly white in the mirage-like surroundings.
Fog, a well-designed hydration system in Lake County can take several forms. For example, the “bridal veil” fog that drapes itself elegantly over the mountains like a grand lady wrapped in a stole.
We have valley fog here during the winter months. Valley fog, called “tule fog” in the Central Valley is formed when the valley cools after sundown in otherwise clear weather conditions. Then, when the temperature reaches dew point, fog forms, lasting only until the new day's sun-rays dissipate it.
The coastal regions receive sea fog, or haar, which is born from sea-spray and salt crystals in the atmosphere.
Our state's redwood forests depend on moisture from fog-drip. Those giants receive nearly 40 percent of their water supplies from fog.
The damp sea coat of fog in the Redwood Empire still keeps many secrets from science, however fog has been one of the numerous research stations utilized within the Pepperwood Preserve outside of Santa Rosa, in the Mayacamas Mountains that we share, via the US Geological Survey and the Pacific Coastal Fog Team.
Unfortunately, the preserve has been caught in fires for the past two years, so they are hard at work rebuilding some of the areas that were devastated.
Their fog-cycle research stations link to the coast where fog banks can envelop California's coasts from one hundred-yards in width up to over one hundred miles. Their sensitive technology can determine the type and amounts of moisture received at any given time.
There are other forms of fog in nature, such as ice fog, hail fog, frontal fog, advection fog and more.
Fog has played an important part in some historical events such as when Gen. George Washington used fog to mask his troops from the British Army and escape, or on the beaches of Normandy during World War II when fog played havoc with visibility.
The incomparable combinations of weather that we live within derive from the delicate balance of forces in mystifying nature, creating one more reason to love Lake County.
Kathleen Scavone, M.A., is a retired educator, potter, freelance writer and author of “Anderson Marsh State Historic Park: A Walking History, Prehistory, Flora, and Fauna Tour of a California State Park” and “Native Americans of Lake County.”
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced two $50,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of two unsolved murders in Sacramento and Fresno.
These are part of the governor’s crime tip reward program under Penal Code § 1547.
The law allows the governor to offer a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of perpetrators for certain unsolved crimes, and up to $100,000 for certain crimes against first responders or for arson upon a place of worship.
Additionally, the governor may issue the reward only upon a recommendation from law enforcement officials.
The governor’s reward program continues to offer $50,000 for information leading to a conviction in the October 2002 murder of Barbara LaForge in downtown Lakeport.
Regarding the two new rewards announced on Monday, the first is for the case of Anthony Barajas from Sacramento.
On the morning of June 28, 2015, Barajas, 20, was in his car in the parking lot of Home Depot on Meadowview Road following a short trip to the store with his younger brother when he was shot in the chest by a passing car. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead.
Investigators obtained what they believe to be possible surveillance footage of the unidentified suspect vehicle but have exhausted all existing leads.
Barajas had no prior criminal history and no motive for his shooting has been identified. A $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.
If anyone has any information on this case, they are asked to call the Sacramento Police Department, Office of Investigations at 916-808-0650.
Additionally, a $50,000 reward is being offered for information in the murder of Sarah Roberts.
On New Year’s Eve 2011, Roberts, 26, was shot as she walked away from a party in Central Fresno.
The mother of two young children was shot while she was on the phone and waiting outside near a party she was attending.
Roberts was found unconscious by her brother and taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries.
Investigators do not believe Roberts was an intended victim and think she may have been caught in the exchange of rival gang gunfire.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Lt. Mark Hudson at the Fresno Police Department at 559-259-2909.
For more information on the Governor’s Reward Program, click here.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County Animal Care continues to offer three adult cats for adoption this week.
The following cats and kittens at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Male domestic longhair
This male domestic longhair has a lynx point coat and blue eyes.
He is in cat room kennel No. 116, ID No. 13365.
‘Oreo’
“Oreo” is a female domestic short hair with an all-black coat and green eyes.
She has been spayed.
She is in cat room kennel No. 121, ID No. 13312.
Female domestic longhair
This female domestic longhair cat has a tortie coat and gold eyes.
She is in cat room kennel No. 142, ID No. 13347.
Lake County Animal Care and Control is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport, next to the Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Office hours are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
Heather Alberro, Nottingham Trent University; Dénes Csala, Lancaster University; Hannah Cloke, University of Reading; Marc Hudson, University of Manchester; Mark Maslin, UCL, and Richard Hodgkins, Loughborough University
But climate researchers have not given up hope. We asked a few Conversation authors to highlight some more positive stories from 2019.
Costa Rica offers us a viable climate future
Heather Alberro, associate lecturer in political ecology, Nottingham Trent University
After decades of climate talks, including the recent COP25 in Madrid, emissions have only continued to rise. Indeed, a recent UN report noted that a fivefold increase in current national climate change mitigation efforts would be needed to meet the 1.5℃ limit on warming by 2030. With the radical transformations needed in our global transport, housing, agricultural and energy systems in order to help mitigate looming climate and ecological breakdown, it can be easy to lose hope.
However, countries like Costa Rica offer us promising examples of the “possible”. The Central American nation has implemented a refreshingly ambitious plan to completely decarbonise its economy by 2050. In the lead-up to this, last year with its economy still growing at 3%, Costa Rica was able to derive 98% of its electricity from renewable sources. Such an example demonstrates that with sufficient political will, it is possible to meet the daunting challenges ahead.
Financial investors are cooling on fossil fuels
Richard Hodgkins, senior lecturer in physical geography, Loughborough University
Movements such as 350.org have long argued for fossil fuel divestment, but they have recently been joined by institutional investors such as Climate Action 100+, which is using the influence of its US$35 trillion of managed funds, arguing that minimising climate breakdown risks and maximising renewables’ growth opportunities are a fiduciary duty.
Moody’s credit-rating agency recently flagged ExxonMobil for falling revenues despite rising expenditure, noting: “The negative outlook also reflects the emerging threat to oil and gas companies’ profitability […] from growing efforts by many nations to mitigate the impacts of climate change through tax and regulatory policies.”
A more adverse financial environment for fossil fuel companies reduces the likelihood of new development in business frontier regions such as the Arctic, and indeed, major investment bank Goldman Sachs has declared that it “will decline any financing transaction that directly supports new upstream Arctic oil exploration or development”.
We are getting much better at forecasting disaster
Hannah Cloke, professor of hydrology, University of Reading
In March and April 2019, two enormous tropical cyclones hit the south-east coast of Africa, killing more than 600 people and leaving nearly 2 million people in desperate need of emergency aid.
There isn’t much that is positive about that, and there’s nothing new about cyclones. But this time scientists were able to provide the first early warning of the impending flood disaster by linking together accurate medium-range forecasts of the cyclone with the best ever simulations of flood risk. This meant that the UK government, for example, set about working with aid agencies in the region to start delivering emergency supplies to the area that would flood, all before Cyclone Kenneth had even gathered pace in the Indian Ocean.
We know that the risk of dangerous floods is increasing as the climate continues to change. Even with ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gases, we must deal with the impact of a warmer more chaotic world. We will have to continue using the best available science to prepare ourselves for whatever is likely to come over the horizon.
Local authorities across the world are declaring a ‘climate emergency’
Marc Hudson, researcher in sustainable consumption, University of Manchester
More than 1,200 local authorities around the world declared a “climate emergency” in 2019. I think there are two obvious dangers: first, it invites authoritarian responses (stop breeding! Stop criticising our plans for geoengineering!). And second, an “emergency” declaration may simply be a greenwash followed by business-as-usual.
In Manchester, where I live and research, the City Council is greenwashing. A nice declaration in July was followed by more flights for staff (to places just a few hours away by train), and further car parks and roads. The deadline for a “bring zero-carbon date forward?” report has been ignored.
But these civic declarations have also kicked off a wave of civic activism, as campaigners have found city councils easier to hold to account than national governments. I’m part of an activist group called “Climate Emergency Manchester” – we inform citizens and lobby councillors. We’ve assessed progress so far, based on Freedom of Information Act requests, and produced a “what could be done?” report. As the council falls further behind on its promises, we will be stepping up our activity, trying to pressure it to do the right thing.
Radical climate policy goes mainstream
Dénes Csala, lecturer in energy system dynamics, Lancaster University
Before the 2019 UK general election, I compared the Conservative and Labour election manifestos, from a climate and energy perspective. Although the party with the clearly weaker plan won eventually, I am still stubborn enough to be hopeful with regard to the future of political action on climate change.
For the first time, in a major economy, a leading party’s manifesto had at its core climate action, transport electrification and full energy system decarbonisation, all on a timescale compatible with IPCC directives to avoid catastrophic climate change. This means the discussion that has been cooking at the highest levels since the 2015 Paris Agreement has started to boil down into tangible policies.
Young people are on the march!
Mark Maslin, professor of earth system science, UCL
In 2019, public awareness of climate change rose sharply, driven by the schools strikes, Extinction Rebellion, high impact IPCC reports, improved media coverage, a BBC One climate change documentary and the UK and other governments declaring a climate emergency. Two recent polls suggest that over 75% of Americans accept humans have caused climate change.
Empowerment of the first truly globalised generation has catalysed this new urgency. Young people can access knowledge at the click of a button. They know climate change science is real and see through the deniers’ lies because this generation does not access traditional media – in fact, they bypass it.
The awareness and concern regarding climate change will continue to grow. Next year will be an even bigger year as the UK will chair the UN climate change negotiations in Glasgow – and expectation are running high.