When he’s not saving animals as a veterinary neurologist at the VCA Animal Care Center, Diccon Westworth is one of two representatives for Woodland on VCE’s Community Advisory Committee, where he has served since July 2023. The role is an extension of his deep commitment to a zero-carbon lifestyle: He leads the Sustainability “Green” Team at the Animal Care Center, drives an EV, eats a plant-based diet, and has upgraded his home with solar panels, a heat-pump HVAC system, a heat-pump water heater, and an induction stove. Additionally, he’s opted up to UltraGreen, VCE’s premium service that provides 100 percent renewable energy. He really walks the talk on environmental sustainability.
We asked Diccon to share some of the motivation behind his commitment to clean energy, and how Yolo County residents can help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Here are a few highlights from our Q&A:
VCE: Why are energy efficiency and clean energy important to you?
D.W.: Eighty percent of the world’s energy comes from polluting fossil fuels right now, and our energy demands are ever-increasing. Burning all this fossil fuel is rapidly warming the planet, resulting in catastrophic climate change. If we want a world our children and grandchildren can live in, then we need to act right now.
VCE: Tell us three cost-effective suggestions for people beginning their own clean energy journey.
- Transition to VCE’s UltraGreen service or any other 100% renewable, zero-carbon electricity source. It only costs a few extra dollars per month!
- Use HVAC timers to pre-cool or pre-heat your home from 10 am to 3 pm. Then turn your HVAC system off from 4 to 9 pm, especially in summer, when you can open the windows to let in the Delta breeze.
- Walk, cycle, or take public transportation whenever possible, and leave the gas guzzler at home!
VCE: What do you tell people about the benefits of getting clean electricity through VCE?
I tell them that they are supporting local, community-based electricity sourcing. If they are on UltraGreen, then they are already using 100% renewable electricity. Fossil fuel combustion doesn’t just pollute: It’s actually becoming less competitive, in terms of pricing, compared to renewable energy.
If you own a business, and you use UltraGreen, celebrate this! Put it on your sustainability page, or advertise that you care about the local environment and community.
VCE: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about the shift to renewable energy since joining the Community Advisory Committee?
That it is so easy to do.
When we diversify the sources of electricity—for example, by using a mix of solar, wind, geothermal, and some hydroelectric power—we can supply most of our grid needs..
And if we change our behaviors, we can reduce the mismatch between the times when consumers use the most energy (4 – 9 pm) and the times when renewable-energy sources generate the most energy (often 10 am – 4pm). That way, we can say bye-bye to fossil fuel sources of energy.
Thanks, Diccon, for everything you do!
Would you like to contribute your expertise to VCE’s CAC? Consider joining the Advisory Committee. View available seats and apply online.
If you’d like to attend one of VCE’s Community Advisory Committee meetings, you’ll find the schedule of upcoming CAC meetings on the VCE website.