On April 17, 2020, the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) and Habitat 2020 submitted our comments, under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), on the latest iteration of the Delta Conveyance Project.
Our concerns include the following:
Project needs to be defined clearly
Appropriate alternatives must be considered for the project as a whole
Appropriate Alternatives must be considered for infrastructure components
Impact of mechanically assisted flows in the tunnels need to be analyzed
Analysis needs to assume that all Reusable Tunnel Material (RTM) will need to be disposed, rather than repurposed
Accurate transportation impacts must be provided
Impacts to Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge need to be avoided
The full impacts of transmission lines need to be included
Transmission line strikes need to be analyzed for foraging Sandhill Cranes
Local climate and environmental activists announce plans for the week of Earth Day, in accordance with social distancing requirements!
Activists of all ages in the Sacramento region have organized street art, a fundraiser, and live online events for the dates of April 22-24. The City of Sacramento is aiding with virtual programming. Money from the fundraiser will benefit the Services Not Sweeps Coalition.
Earth Day — the biggest day of the year for climate and environmental justice demonstrations — is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Unfortunately, just as the spread of coronavirus has disrupted work, school and social gatherings, the pandemic has forced the cancellation of mass gatherings for Earth Day in Sacramento and across the nation.
Locally, the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) has canceled Sacramento Earth Day, the organization’s annual celebration in Southside Park normally slated for the Sunday closest to Earth Day. The festival started in 2006 and typically raises 15 percent of the group’s annual budget. The Sacramento chapters of March for Science and Fridays for Future will not hold their planned climate strike. Earth Day events by ECOS and March for Science draw thousands of participants on average.
As a movement based on science, we take recommendations from public health professionals seriously. Evidence shows that social distancing works to slow the spread of coronavirus. We are proud of our quick adaptation to current circumstances, and pleased to offer impactful programming for such a historic day.
Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day): Climate Chalk-out
Members of the Sacramento chapters of youth-led organizations Sunrise Movement and Fridays for Future are leading a “chalk-out” at, where participants will decorate sidewalks with chalk art to raise awareness around the climate crisis. Sacramento chalk art locations include but are not limited to: The California Capitol Building, Sacramento City Hall, Downtown Commons, K and 20th Street Times: Sunrise, noon, and evening (6:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 5:30 PM respectively) Folsom locations: Raley’s (East Natomas), Target, Palladio/Whole Foods, Costco, Safeway (Prairie City Rd), Sam’s Club, and City Hall. Time: All chalking to start at 6:30 a.m. Other locations: Chalk art is slated to appear in Sacramento, Folsom, Rocklin, and potentially other Sacramento suburbs. Time: All locations will chalk at 6:30 a.m. Some may chalk at additional times. People interested in chalking may sign up at: tinyurl.com/ChalkOut2020 Contact: Hannah Karsting, 916-220-6031, hannahlk49[at]gmail[dot]com; Caroline Cochrane, 916-342-8129, ccochrane2003[at]gmail[dot]com; Mikayla Taylor, (916) 599-5839, mkotaylor[at]gmail[dot]com
Thursday, April 23: Fundraising for coronavirus aid efforts
In recognition of the challenges facing the Sacramento community as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, local climate justice organizations will raise money through an online silent auction, virtual ‘tip jars’, and other calls for donations. All proceeds will go to the Services Not Sweeps Coalition, members of which include Loaves and Fishes, Sacramento Food Bank, and the Poor People’s Campaign. Contact: Chris Brown, 916-384-7476, info[at]sacclimate[dot]org
Friday, April 24: Earth Day Live Sacramento
Environmental orgs, in partnership with a variety of local organizations, businesses, artists, and public figures, will put on a 12-hour-long livestream from 12pm to 12am on April 24th. This event will be centered around the twin crises of climate change and COVID-19. It will provide education, political engagement, entertainment, and community-based responses to the anxiety caused by the coronavirus. The livestream will include virtual town hall featuring Q&A sessions with local leaders, including Councilmember-elect Katie Valenzuela, slated for around 4-7pm. Details on how to watch the livestream will be released by 4/22. Learn more here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/earth-day-live-sacramento Contact: Alex DeNuzzo, 916-694-7632, awesomenuzzo[at]gmail[dot]com
“This is truly a surreal time and we’re all trying to process what it means, for now, for the future, for ourselves and our loved ones, for those most vulnerable. I am all out of words of wisdom. I just know that the climate crisis isn’t stopping for a mere global pandemic, although it’s hard to focus on non-immediate threats right now, and that it’s more important than ever that we work toward our vision of a ‘world with a safe climate, where nature is respected and protected, and our social, political, and economic systems work for all people and the planet.’” – Laurie Litman, President, 350 Sacramento
“Sac DSA supports the Earth Day Actions because all people, rich or poor, have the right to live on a healthy planet. We must remind our elected officials that the health of the Earth is tied to the health of people everywhere.” – Gina Patterson, Organizer, Democratic Socialists Of America Sacramento
“We recognize this is a difficult time to begin new initiatives, but with both the pandemic and climate crises, time is not on our side. The pandemic crisis is short-term and immediate, but while the impacts of climate change are gradual, they are more enduring. Therefore, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ We must move forward with climate action and do what is required to avoid a threat whose scope has no historic parallel; to do not as little, but as much as possible.” – Ralph Propper, President, Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS); Laurie Litman, President, 350 Sacramento; Barbara Leary, Chair, Sierra Club Sacramento Group
“My generation has grown up with the threat of an ecological breakdown constantly looming above our heads. We know that as youth, we will live to see the worst effects of the climate crisis. This Earth Day, we’re demanding that our elected officials have the courage to prioritize our lives over fossil fuel money.” – Supriya Patel, Organizer, Fridays For Future Sacramento
“There has never been a more critical time to be listening to scientists. The federal government was too slow to heed the warnings of epidemiologists, and its failure to act quickly has allowed the virus to sicken and kill exponentially more people. We should apply this lesson to climate change. Believe science and act fast.” – Wes Samms, Lead Organizer / CEO, March For Science Sacramento
“The recent shift to digital platforms and social distancing is reducing our carbon emissions around the world. However, the COVID crisis shows that the human costs of waiting to the last minute are enormous and much worse than planning ahead and working proactively to fend off an emergency. We need to learn from these days that we need to care for people in ways that care for our environment at the same time.” – Chris Brown, Organizer, Sacramento Climate Coalition
“This Earth Day, our local, state and national leaders should do more to empower our community to harness the awesome power of the sun to fight climate change, reduce pollution and help people cut their energy bills. Rooftop solar and battery storage is the ultimate win-win for the people and the planet. Unfortunately, utilities across California are working to make it harder and more expensive for people to do the right thing by choosing solar energy. With one million solar rooftops across California, it is clear the people are ready to lead. Are our leaders ready to get out front and take it to the next level?” – Lee Miller, Organizer, Solar Rights Alliance Sacramento
“Crises that threaten our health, our homes, and our families are only going to get more common as our climate changes. COVID-19 has proven that its possible to disrupt business as usual and change everything about our way of life. With our response to this pandemic, we have an unprecedented opportunity to build a society that takes care of all its people, and puts our future over profit. Now more than ever, we need a Green New Deal.” – Logan Dreher, Local Coordinator, Sunrise Movement Sacramento
Above all, please follow all stay-at-home and social distancing orders.
For those of us at home, the feeling of helplessness can be real. BUT we can still help the earth! Right now, you can take action to Save the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Please share! And take care.
April 10, 2020 Op-Ed by Denis Hayes The Seattle Times
Author Denis Hayes was one of the organizers of the first Earth Day in 1970. The first thing to know about the beginning of Earth Day is that the big win wasn’t establishing Earth Day itself, but bringing the same organizing skills to the 1970 November elections.
“That November political triumph made clear to Congress that Earth Day had not been just a frolic in the park. One month after the 1970 election, the Clean Air Act of 1970 passed the Senate unanimously and the House with just one dissenting vote.
In short order, Congress also passed the:
• Clean Water Act
• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Marine Mammal Protection Act
• Endangered Species Act
• Safe Drinking Water Act
• Set Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) standards for cars
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
• Toxic Substances Control Act
• National Forest Management Act
In the 10 years following Earth Day, bold new laws changed the direction of the United States economy more profoundly than any other period in history, except perhaps the New Deal. And the New Deal was pushed by a wildly popular president whose party controlled both houses of Congress. The environmental revolution came from the grassroots up.”
Earth Day 2020: Did you know this year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day? There are many online events, actions and activities happening across the globe all month long! ECOS invites you to participate from home in protecting our home planet. This list may grow; check back for updates.
Online Earth Month! Events, Actions and Activities
Remote Earth Week Sacramento
Local climate and environmental activists announce plans for the week of Earth Day, in accordance with social distancing requirements!
For those of us at home, the feeling of helplessness can be real. BUT we can still help the earth! Right now, you can take action to Save the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Please share! And take care. https://www.ecosacramento.net/2020/04/save-the-delta-stop-the-tunnel/
April 20: Earth Day Future 50: A Celebration
Join the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The public is welcome to join Stanford students, staff and faculty to gather online to hear reflections on how far we have come since the first Earth Day in 1970 and what the next 50 years may hold for the future of the Earth. April 20, 2020 – 1:30pm https://woods.stanford.edu/events/earth-day-future-50-celebration-virtual-event
April 20: Earth Day Live
The world’s largest civic event is going digital for the first time in its history. We’ll demand that leaders take science seriously, listen to their people and push for action at every level of society to stop the rising tide of climate change. We can make a better world for everyone; tell everyone you know about April 22. earthday.org
April 25: Celebrate Earth Day with Katharine Hayhoe and CCL
At a time when we are worried, isolated and unable to physically be with one another, we thought it would be good to spend a little time together — online, of course — to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. So far, more than 1,500 people have registered to attend “Uniting from Home: A Virtual CCL Event with Katharine Hayhoe” on April 25! At the event, we’ll hear from one of our favorite climate allies, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. April 25, 10am-1pm PST.
All across the globe, humans are feeling the impacts of COVID-19, social distancing and confinement at home. With this in mind, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival invites you to watch some past Wild & Scenic Official Film Selections from home for free! www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org/socialdistancing/
Victory! At their April 7 public hearing, the Sacramento Board of Supervisors directed staff to start work on their long-overdue Climate Action Plan (CAP). Supervisors mentioned the significant public comments they received and growing public concern over climate change. It’s taken over a year of advocacy by 350 Sacramento, ECOS, and Sierra Club to get the County to say they would do what they had committed to. Our coalition submitted numerous letters and comments, coordinated with environmental justice and faith organizations, and organized an online letter/petition email campaign that generated 94 emails to each Board member encouraging them to move the CAP forward. 350 Sacramento also provided each Supervisor copies of 350 Sacramento’s CAP Recommendations document and the book Uninhabitable Earth. We achieved a big goal, but this is just the first step. Our next challenge is to make sure adequate funds are budgeted for the CAP. Then the real work begins. Big land developers consider robust CAP measures a threat and they have political influence. To get a strong CAP we need to generate strong public support over the next year. This is a fight we can win but it won’t be easy. We’ll keep you posted on how you can help.
