On the issues

Climate change is the existential crisis of our time. We now have less than a decade to cut our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% to get ourselves on a trajectory to reach net zero emission by 2050 at the very latest if we hope to keep global warming below 1.5°C and avoid some of the most catastrophic and deadly effects of climate change.

We’re already seeing the early effects of the climate crisis all around us, in record high temperatures worldwide, increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, rampant wildfires, ongoing drought and water issues, and rising sea levels to name just a few. I shudder to think of the future we’ll be leaving every young person alive today to inherit if we fail to take decisive action now.

Thinking of climate as one fringe issue among many just won’t cut it anymore. Of course we can and must address multiple issues at once, but I firmly believe that we must view every challenge we face also as an opportunity to address the climate crisis with the urgency that it demands. I will do my utmost to view Brisbane’s issues through this lens – and deliver on effective solutions that address our local issues and support a just transition to sustainability and a brighter future for every member of our community.

Even with the challenges ahead, there is still much to be hopeful about! As a nation we are right at the beginning of a massive shift toward the clean, renewable future we want to see. And having declared a climate emergency in July 2021, Brisbane now has clearly articulated local goals: 66% greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and Net-Zero emissions by 2040. That’s five years ahead of the state and a full ten years ahead of national decarbonization goals!

Those are impressive and appropriately aggressive goals, but now the focus must be on swift, pragmatic execution if we hope to realize them. Moving forward, we’re going to need fewer roadmaps and more roads to the future.

The journey won’t be easy, but this transition represents a massive opportunity to transition to renewables and electrify everything. With the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act at the federal level, and a bevy of new climate legislation at the state level, we may have just bought ourselves the decade in funding and support. In local municipalities like ours, the challenge will be putting those resources and information to good use through innovative programs, swift, effective implementation and clear communication aimed at accelerating the transition.

Brisbane must stand ready as a proactive local partner in all solutions that will make this transition work for us. I will be your representative – ensuring that you have all the information you need, and that Brisbane is crafting the effective policies to get us there.

I truly believe that we have an exciting future still ahead of us. This is an opportunity to update, modernize and improve the standard of living for all members of our community as we step into the future together.

Caring for others and investing in our community members is valuable, low-carbon work. As the climate continues to destabilize, we must of course work to transition to renewables and electrify everything, but we must also build and maintain the social structures and resilient support systems that will enable us to better know our neighbors and depend on each other as we weather this storm together.

This will include folding new, diverse members into our beloved community and incorporating their skills as an asset, as well as supporting our public safety and fire first responders and caring for our local seniors and at-risk community members.

Change is a universal constant – we must not fear the future or be afraid of each other as our city inevitably continues to grow. We are a small city – and fiercely proud of what we’ve got – but we’re a welcoming and inclusive city as well. I know that we are stronger as a community when we all work to maintain the best parts of what makes Brisbane great, and envision her future potential together.

We’re seeing unprecedented and ongoing water issues across the globe and are beginning to feel it acutely here in California. The potential of water insecurity in our area is a real threat.

As our community grows, we cannot waste a single drop of water, and must ensure that any major new developments are self-sufficient and sustainable when it comes to their water usage. We must examine all available solutions and address both water supply and demand issues and bring down costs.

Some solutions could include a water treatment facility that recycles greywater for irrigation and commercial use, informational or incentive programs for point of use gray water treatment equipment and direct air capture hydro panels for residential and commercial customers, and fog harvesting to name just a few.

The built environment plays an outsized but often overlooked role in the quality of our everyday social interactions and sense of community. When the Baylands project alone is finished we will have effectively doubled the size of Brisbane’s population during the same time frame as our decarbonization goals come to pass. So we need to carefully consider not only energy and water, but also how citizens move around and through Brisbane as the city expands.

I will champion creative new programs and policies that reduce emissions by limiting traffic congestion, improving walkability, shared public spaces and bike routes, as well as encouraging EV adoption and infrastructure, and better public transportation for all of Brisbane.

The Baylands must be designed responsibly on Brisbane’s terms: as a sustainable zero carbon development that provides for all its energy and water needs and creates inclusive, affordable neighborhoods that still feel like they’re a part of Brisbane’s community. The technology is there, but we need to make sure that its a key part of any final development agreement.

Development of the Quarry needs to be done in a responsible manner. The San Bruno Mountain is home to numerous endangered species and is a source of pride for our community. Residents on the Ridge will be subjected to light and noise pollution coming from this development, so I will strongly engage with them to make sure these issues are mitigated to the fullest extent possible.

I want to be clear: I am a proponent of efficient, safe, affordable public transportation and I support high speed rail in California.

However, the proposed High Speed Rail Yard in Brisbane seems like a bad fit for the community and an environmental disaster waiting to happen. The proposed rail yard would be located at the site of the current unregulated dump, meaning that thousands of tons of old garbage would be exposed and hauled off through our city and others during the construction process.

And the rail yard’s proximity to the proposed Baylands community also seems quite problematic for those future residents. This use of the land would also bring zero money to Brisbane and cause blight for generations to come. I'm firmly against it.