Join our Climate Justice Vigil Sun, Nov 10 to move from feelings to hope & action.  Fill out the volunteer interest form to get involved.
Search
Close this search box.
Twitter Instagram Facebook Envelope
VOLUNTEER

Photo Essay: High Water Line

Martin Luther King Day was a gorgeous winter day in San Diego, perfect for visually demonstrating the effect of climate change on one of our favorite communities, Mission Beach.  Sea-level rise is already starting to affect this popular beach community, and by 2050 high tides will be reaching across Mission Boulevard.  Misson Bay Flooding Map from SD FDN

By the end of the century, if public policy towards climate change doesn’t recognize the threat of sea-level rise, Mission Beach will be mostly under water.  The purpose of demonstrating this threat was to create public support for a stronger Climate Action Plan (CAP) for San Diego in an effort to mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change.

Michael Brackney and Linda Case look encouraged by the support of Mike of Kokjaks
Michael Brackney and Linda Case look encouraged by the support of Mike of Kojaks

With the aid of a map showing where the High Water Line (HWL) is likely to be by 2050, the Crowd Engagement Team (CET) planned a “public art installation” event, using a mechanical chalker to create a visual representation of  the HWL along the east-side sidewalk of Mission Boulevard.  The original idea for this event comes from Eve Mosher of Brooklyn, NY.  Find out about events like ours that Eve has inspired at http://www.HighWaterLine.org.

In the two weeks preceding our event, members of the CET and the Media Team canvassed community businesses to tell them about SD350’s plan to stage this event.

Because Mission Beach has already experienced some effects of sea-level rise, notably at high tides during storms, we found that most business owners and residents see the need for stronger public policy to mitigate climate change.  Canvassers were able to gather fifty-three signatures from business owners, employees and residents to urge the San Diego City Council to adopt a stronger Climate Action Plan.

Ray gets a signature from the owners of Arslan's and Vashida's Greek Restaurant. Some of us returned to eat a late lunch there after the HWL event.
Ray Paulson gets a signature (and a free sample!) from the owners of Arslan’s and Vashida’s Restaurant. Some of us returned to eat a late lunch there after the HWL event.
Jeanne and Ellen: Time to get started.
Jeanne and Ellen are all smiles: Time to get started.

 

On the actual day of the HWL chalking, SD350 volunteers gathered at the north-east corner of Mission Boulevard and Mission Bay Drive.  The eagerness on the faces of CET-leader Jeanne Peterson and record-keeper Ellen Speert (with the clipboard) indicate they’re ready for the day’s action.

 

 

The media showed up right from the start.  Channels 6, 8, 10 and KPBS covered our HWL event.  (See links to media coverage below photo gallery.)

KPBS cameraman films Dwane Brown interviewing Mission Blvd. business owner.
KPBS cameraman films Dwane Brown interviewing Mission Boulevard business owner Jason Daung.

So, how does one go about generating so much interest and media coverage for chalking a high-water line?  You can come along with us as we walk north on Mission Boulevard, chatting with news folks, tourists, residents and business owners along the way..

Leaving Belmont Park's historic roller coaster behind, the line starts north on Mission Blvd.
Leaving behind Belmont Park’s historic roller coaster, the line starts north on Mission Blvd.
Rachel Eggers spreads and sets the chalk line with a broom.
Ellen runs the chalker while Rachel Eggers spreads and sets the chalk line with a broom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael becomes our stenciling expert. Check out the cool shadow of the stencil!
Check out the cool shadow Michael makes when he carefully lifts the stencil.
Bill Avrin, assisted by 3rd generation Mission Beach resident Robby Shea, gives MIchael a break.
3rd-generation Mission Beach resident Robby Shea joins Bill Avrin, giving Michael a break from stenciling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James chalks a hashtag along the HWL.
James Long chalks a hashtag along the HWL.
Dave Engel inspects his sea-level rise message.
Dave Engel inspects his sea-level-rise message.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ray Paulson refills the chalker.
The chalker must be re-filled.  Ray volunteers.
Ellen engages a citizen in conversation about the effects of climate change on sea-level,
Ellen engages a curious citizen in conversation about the effects of climate change on sea-level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan Crowe and Michael Zimmer walk the line.
Susan Crowe and Michael Zimmer walk the line.
Ken Brucker talks with employee at Surf Shop
Ken Brucker talks with Allison Gardner Liquid Foundation Surf Shop
Ralph gets stenciling on film.
Closing in for a detailed shot, Ralph Chaney gets Michael setting a stenciling on film.
Chalkers pass iconic, zero-emissions beach cruiser.
Chalkers pass iconic, zero-emissions beach cruiser.
Ralph gets video footage of Ashley explaining the action for SD350.
Ashley Mazanec explains the action while Ralph films for SD350’s website.
MB attorney John Ready is one of many proprietors who gladly displayed our HWL poster in their windows.
One of many proprietors who gladly displayed our HWL poster in their windows is attorney John Ready.
Michael Brackney chats up a Camaro driver who stopped to see what was going on.
Michael chats up a Porsche driver who stopped to see what was going on.
Sidewalk skater checks out sea-level-rise messages along the HWL.
Like many passers-by, this sidewalk skater checks out sea-level-rise messages along the HWL.
,,, and the line continues
… and the line continues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bright white line that started at the corner of Mission Bay Drive and Mission Boulevard went north as far as Pacific Beach Boulevard, a distance of just over a mile. Along the way, SD350 members had many opportunities to converse with people passing by. Vacationers and residents alike were aware of climate change, but many learned something they hadn’t known about one of its damaging effects: sea-level rise, right here in Mission Beach.  That, plus the great media coverage, the good time we all had, and the companionship we enjoyed made the HWL action the success we all hoped it would be.

Many thanks to Bill Avrin for his pictures of the HWL event.  It must also be said that Angela Deegan and Ashley Mazanec of the Media Team were largely responsible for the outstanding media coverage.

 

 

Media coverage of this event: