One community is standing up and making plans just in case. Their efforts should pay off no matter which way the sun shines.

The Pacific Ocean occupies 46 percent of the Earth’s water surface or 33 percent of the entire global surface. It is 64.1 square miles in area, making this the largest water body of all the world’s oceans. Currents in the Pacific have profound impacts on weather in the United States. These currents change and science is not entirely sure why or what natural forces control these changes. There is no known science that can control these currents.

The San Diego Bay area seems inconsequential when compared to the Pacific Ocean. On Feb. 16, 2012, leaders of the area released an announcement of a local strategy to control a rising sea level. They are concerned that global warming will increase the melting of ice and therefore cause a rise in sea level, resulting in damage to businesses and residents all along the many shores of the oceans. This group of planners is taking the forecast that ocean levels will rise by as much as 17 inches by 2050 very seriously. They want to define what areas such a change would impact and how structures might be planned to withstand such an event.

“We have taken effective steps to safeguard our property and economic assets, our tourist industry, and our natural resources by incorporating sea level rise considerations into our recently adopted Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan," said Chula Vista Mayor Cheryl Cox. "This regional study complements our work on the bay front by sharing information, leveraging resources and coordinating efforts with neighboring jurisdictions around San Diego Bay.”

When discussing global warming and the changes that would come as a result, people usually get very emotional. There seems to be no middle ground as most people either agree with the concept or argue against it. No matter what side they come down on, they are convinced that most scientists agree with them. They both further proclaim that anyone who does not agree with their side are fools or worse. Each side will choose a piece of data to confirm their viewpoint. For example, right now it is relatively warm in the U.S. upper Midwest area. Those favoring the warming scenario would latch on to the idea that the area I am in has not had temperatures below zero this winter. Those taking the other side will point out that Europe and Alaska are suffering through an extremely frigid winter period.

Something I have found quite interesting is that in the last three weeks, I have noticed an increase in reports that we might be on the verge of a cooling period. My curiosity is stimulated. I recall in the 1970s that many experts were warning about a coming ice age as temperatures appeared to be cooling. I think I recall that the main idea was that we were pumping so many pollutants into the air that the sun’s warmth was being reflected back into space. I was wondering if we would make the full circle back to those discussions again in the coming few years.

The point that I would like to make is that I commend the people living in the communities around the San Diego Bay area. It appears that they are trying to be pro-active and look for steps they should take just in case they have to face rising waters. By making a practical application of the old Scout motto, “always be prepared,” they should be able to maintain their expected living standards and not have to wait until something happens and then they have to find not only a solution but a way to pay for it.

Businesses could certainly take a lesson from this as well. If they increased their self-audit practices and worked with the guys and gals in the plants to identify any potential environmental issue, they could do a much better job of avoiding issues and at a much lower cost. Many companies are finding the value of their workforce intelligence and are collecting some truly inspired ideas on ways to avoid polluting their environment and saving money to boot.