Reportedly, San Diego is on its way to become the largest city in the United States to run on 100 per cent renewable energy. It already is the second largest when it comes to generating electricity from solar power.

Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced his support Climate Action Plan, embracing clean energy including solar and wind power. The city already sources 40 per cent of its power from renewable energy sources, however the plan is to make it to 100 per cent and join the likes of CopenhagenVancouver, San Francisco and Sydney.

San Diego's Climate Action Plan set ambitious golas that also include adopting bicycle schemes, environmentally friendly public transport networks, rooftop solar power systems and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50 per cent by 2035, and by 80 per cent by 2050. The Plan also aims to better public health by reducing harmful pollutants (such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter) and improve the quality of air and drinking water. 

San Diego will turn to smarter building design and construction practices, including passive solar heating and cooling, building orientation, and installing renewable energy systems. This will reduce the demand for imported energy, making the city more independent.

Building a new solar infrastructure also creates new green jobs, such as installing of solar panels. There are currently over 8,400 people working in the solar sector, according to the latest report by The Solar Foundation, "California Solar Jobs Census 2015." 

The Plan also sees covering the city with canopy. The goal is to achieve 15% urban tree canopy coverage by 2020 and 35% urban tree coverage by 2035. It will provide shadow and filter air (carbon sequestration) to provide better living conditions for San Diego citizens.

May 6, 2016 Living photo: Clean Tech San Diego

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