In Landmark Climate Ruling, European Court Faults Switzerland

By Isabella Kwai and Emma Bubola | April 9, 2024 | The New York Times

Experts said it was the first time an international court determined that governments were legally obligated to meet their climate targets under human rights law.

“It is the first time that an international court has affirmed clearly that a climate crisis is a human rights crisis,” said Joie Chowdhury, a senior lawyer with the Center for International Environmental Law, an international group that voiced its support for KlimaSeniorinnen’s case.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/09/world/europe/climate-human-rights.html

ECOS letter to Sacramento County re Infill Program

On April 10, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to the County of Sacramento Board of Supervisors Workshop on Housing and Infill on April 10, 2024 – Item #2: Infill Program.

We have reviewed PlaceWorks’ Final Draft “Sacramento County Infill Program Update”, and recommend that its proposed “Toolkit” and “Next Steps” are adopted for the Toolkit’s implementation.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Comments on the City of Sacramento’s Draft Parks Plan 2040

The City of Sacramento, which manages 235 parks with 4,329 acres of parkland, has prepared a Draft Parks Plan (2040). The Parks Plan importantly supports recreational activities for Sacramento’s diverse communities. However, it falls short in one of its key goals to bring nature to all City residents. Currently, most City Parks provide only a facade of nature that consists primarily of exotic grasses and trees. However, the City can effectively bring biodiversity to its parks by planting native trees such as oaks in combination with native shrubs and herbaceous plants. Native plants support native birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife.

On April 8, 2024, Habitat 2020, the Conservation Committee for the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS), and ECOS submitted our comments on the City of Sacramento’s Draft Parks Plan 2040.

Click here to read the letter in full.

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ECOS comments on AKT Development request for LAFCo hearings

On March 29, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to Folsom City Council regarding the request they’ve received from AKT development to initiate hearings before Sacramento LAFCO to approve sphere of influence designation for a substantial area of land south of the city’s current city limits (and extending well into El Dorado County).

Below is an excerpt from our letter.

…initiation of this process has significant implications for City residents as well as county,
regional and state policies and programs. Of particular interest is how a supply of water to accommodate the proposed development might be made available. Place of use restrictions on Folsom’s water rights will limit the availability of surface water use in the proposed development area.

…We also have concerns regarding the project’s traffic impacts and increases in emissions resulting from the project’s buildout. Under California state law the Sacramento Region must meet mandated targets for greenhouse gas reduction and air quality by 2030. The approval of a very large greenfield most certainly does not advance the long-term ability to meet these targets.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Sacramento County FY25 Appropriations – Community Project Requests

On April 2, 2024, ECOS submitted a letter to U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui, Alex Padilla, Ami Bera and Laphonza Butler regarding Sacramento County’s FY25 Community Project Requests for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project and the Arden Service Area Water Metering project.

Below is an excerpt from our letter.

The Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) strongly supports Sacramento County’s FY25 Community Project Requests for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project and the Arden Service Area Water Metering project.

Sacramento County seeks $2 million for technical, planning and design assistance for the Cosumnes River Multi-Benefit Project. The funds will be used to support County efforts to identify flood risk reduction measures, water recharge areas and project options, and habitat restoration opportunities along the lower Cosumnes River (including flood risk reductions that protect private water infrastructure). This multibenefit program will lead to significant improvements in flood protection and identify opportunities for additional habitat and water supply reliability benefits in the Lower Cosumnes River.

Click here to read the letter in full.

Sacramento Earth Day 2024

When: Sunday, April 21, 2024, 11am – 4pm
Where: Southside Park, 600 T Street, Sacramento CA

Sacramento Earth Day, hosted by ECOS, is the largest Earth Day celebration in the Sacramento region. Join us on April 21, 2024 at Southside Park in Sacramento, for a free, family-friendly event, with opportunities to learn and network about sustainability. We will have 150 exhibitors and vendors, and hundreds of attendees.

Click here to learn all about Sacramento Earth Day.