Iverson PresentationEnergy City Commission – August 28, 2019
Item 5.2: Vern and Lea Iverson: Global Climate Change Presentation
Vern and Lea Iverson attended training from the Climate Reality Leaders focused on the
Climate Crisis in Atlanta recently and wanted to share the information they learned with the
Energy City Commission. Their presentation included data about the current climate crisis and
also solutions. Their recommendation to the city is to consider 100% renewal energy by 2030
for all of Elk River. In Minnesota, only three cities have committed to this – Minneapolis, St.
Paul and St. Louis Park. The focus of the presentation included the concept to thinking
globally, act locally. They also reiterated many times the Elk River has made many positive steps
for climate protection.
Additional facts they presented included:
- Minnesota has met our goal early for 25% renewable energy by 2022
- We are “spewing” tons of manmade global warming pollution into the atmosphere, keeping
more heat in the atmosphere, holding in sun’s energy close to the earth
- Greenhouse gas sources include coal plants, industrial processes, agriculture, transportation,
landfills, etc.
- The Industrial Revolution significantly changed things including increasing pollution
- Eighteen of the 19 hottest climatic years have occurred since 2001
- In Minnesota that means warmer summer days possible in the future, globally it has resulted
in more people dying due to heat waves and climate change related events
- 93% of heat energy is stored in the oceans
- Hydrological cycles are changing resulting in more evaporation, heavier rain events and
additional hurricanes
- Droughts conditions are also increasing causing climate refugees and more wild fires
- Extreme weather catastrophes have increased from 1998-2018
- The true cost of adding carbon to the atmosphere was $635 billion over last two years due
to extreme weather
Solutions to these issues presented included:
- Subsidies to increase production of renewable energy
- Wind capacity increase in Minnesota
- Increase technology for solar and battery storage
- Individual changes such as electric vehicles, LED lighting, planting trees, reducing
consumption of meat
- Use your choices, votes and voices to speak truth to power because our world depends on it
- Vern and Lea shared personal motivation including the future of the world for their
grandchildren as well
The group spent some time discussing the presentation and their feedback for Vern and Lea. Many
members wanted clarification on some of the specific facts presented. There was a lack of information
about production of infrastructure for green energy like wind turbines and solar batteries, plus end of
life disposal which continues to be an issue for many tech products. Larger corporations are able to
make major changes to benefit the climate (like Apple or Amazon) but these changes are difficult to
apply to small, local companies. Locally to Elk River, ordinance like tree preservation have good
intentions but can be costly and detrimental to small businesses. Adding flexibility could be beneficial
with the goal for overall benefit rather than site specific requirements. Discussion also included options
for local funding for small businesses to help them meet requirements in a more meaningful way.