Why San Francisco must be a model for clean energy

By David R. Hochschild

The White House has offered no vision in response to global warming yet this is the most pressing environmental threat facing us all. It is a crisis that demands swift, dramatic action. It is now clear that the leadership on this question in America has to come from cities. The momentum created by San Franciscans in November when they overwhelmingly approved two landmark solar initiatives (Prop B by 73% and Prop H by 54%) has caught the attention of cities around the country who want to take similar steps. However, we can't help this movement succeed elsewhere unless we implement it effectively here. That won't happen without elected officials who make it - and keep it - a priority.

There are a lot of issues I care about as a San Francisco native but, if elected to the Central Committee, I plan on focusing all my energy on this subject. There is too much at stake for us to fail here. Solar and other clean energy technologies have to be at the center of San Francisco's policy discussions and I will work hard to keep it that way.