Category Archives: Climate Change Committee

Climate Emergency Call to Action, March 10

County Supervisors consider Climate Emergency measures… don’t let them water them down!

Hold the County Board of Supervisors accountable to uphold the promise they made years ago: to find equitable solutions and address our climate emergency!

In 2020, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors signed a resolution declaring a climate emergency and directing the formation of a permanent Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force (CEMTF). Composed of thirteen members (6 technical members (air quality, agriculture, built environment, economics, energy, transit/transportation), 6 environmental justice members, and one youth member), the CEMTF was created in 2022 and drafted a Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP) in 2024. Despite the CEMTF’s diligent work to propose equitable climate emergency response strategies in Sacramento County, the Task Force has never had an audience with the County Board of Supervisors. Until now.

The Task Force will have their first audience with the County BOS on March 10, at 9:30 am. Join us to express your support for the Task Force and for prompt, equitable solutions to address the climate crisis in our region!

Take Action

  • Show up and testify
  • Write an email
  • Sign up for more alerts and information here. 

ECOS Comments Re South Sacramento – Florin Community Emissions Reduction Program (CERP)

On February 15, 2026, the Environmental Council of Sacramento, in response to the South Sacramento – Florin Community Emissions Reduction Program draft plan, submitted a letter of our comments.

Below is an excerpt from our letter.

ECOS is very supportive of this plan and applauds the Sac Metro Air District and the Community Steering Committee (CSC) for their extensive work to create multi-scale strategies that include and reflect the South Sacramento – Florin community. We appreciate the opportunity to submit the following comments on the South Sacramento – Florin Community Emissions Reduction Program (CERP) Draft Plan.

Click here to view the letter in PDF. 

The Fundamentals of Environmental Justice in Sacramento & Beyond, Feb 19

ECOS Climate Change Committee Meeting: February 19, 2026

Jonathan London, Professor in the Department of Human Ecology, University of California – Davis

The ECOS Climate Change Committee will host Jonathan London on February 19, 2026, to discuss the history of environmental injustice in Sacramento and some of the efforts made to shape a more equitable region. Whether you are a leader in Environmental Justice (EJ) work or just beginning to engage in this conversation, please join us to build your local knowledge, advocacy toolkit, and grassroots network.

Hybrid meeting:

In-person: Mogavero Architects, 1331 T Street, Sacramento

Zoom – Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 | To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

5:30 – 6:00 PM: Social Hour. Light snacks and beverages provided.

6:00 – 7:30 PM: Featured Presentation and Q&A: The Fundamentals of Environmental Justice in Sacramento and Beyond (London)

7:30 – 7:50 PM: ECOS and Member Organization Updates

7:50 PM: Adjourn

Click here for the agenda in PDF.

Click here for more resources and info.

California Energy Commission Talk, Dec 18

ECOS Climate Change Committee Meeting

Thursday, December 18, 2025
6 PM (drinks/snacks starting at 5:30)
Hybrid meeting: In-person at Mogavero Architects, 1331 T Street, Sacramento
and on Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 (copy and paste link)
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

Speaker: Gypsy Achong, Program Manager in the Efficiency Division, California Energy Commission

Topic: Gypsy will discuss Assembly Bill 130, recent updates to the Building Energy Code, and the impacts of these changes on local efforts to build green.

Major legislative changes have adversely affected the state building standards adoption process and its contribution to residential building decarbonization. This summer, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 130, which pauses new updates to the California Building Standards Code, including the Energy Code, that affect residential units until January 1, 2032. The law also limits cities and counties in adopting stricter local building codes on or after October 1, 2025. Join us to discuss this topic with Gypsy Achong, Program Manager from the California Energy Commission.

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Alberto Ayala to Speak to Climate Change Committee, Nov 24

Monday, November 24, 2025 at 6 PM (drinks/snacks starting at 5:30)
Hybrid meeting: In-person at Mogavero Architects, 1331 T Street, Sacramento
and Zoom. Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155 To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD)
Executive Officer Dr. Alberto Ayala

Alberto will discuss the following topics and welcome questions. Please join the discussion!

Alberto joined our air district 8 years ago after 17 years at the State Air Resource Board (CARB) where he directed regulations for vehicle emissions reductions and electrification.

Recently, the Sacramento region met the federal 8-hour ozone standard for the first time, for which Alberto accepted an award from Breathe California Sacramento Region.

Here’s what we’ll discuss:

  1. IMPACT OF RECENT FEDERAL ACTIONS on our air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) progress
    o EPA’s Reconsideration of 2009 Endangerment Finding and GHG Vehicle Standards: Would prevent federal action to limit climate change; prevent California from requiring cleaner cars.
    o Recission of promised funds: Community Pollution Reduction Grants, and Sacramento Regional Climate Resilience Plan: Funds were promised last year to our region for projects such as handling ag and forest waste – how can we move ahead without those funds?
  2. PARTICULATES:
    o Fine particulate matter levels (PM2.5) are highest fall/winter: How can we reduce levels? PM2.5 causes more health problems than other pollutants; e.g., heart disease, dementia.
    o Ultrafine PM: What should we do about them? These tiny particles appear to be the most health-threatening – from sources like diesel exhaust and wildfires.
  3. METHANE: SMUD’s emissions (Methane is a much more potent GHG than carbon dioxide.)
  4. SOUTH SACRAMENTO COMMUNITY AIR MONITORING: AQMD found high levels of PM2.5, cancer-causing diesel exhaust & aldehydes in Florin/Route 99 environmental justice area – what to do now?

Updates by Committee Chairs Ralph Propper and Eugene Lee: [Add your own for us to hear!]

  • Caltrans’ plan to add lanes to I-80 in Yolo County: ECOS appeals court decision denying our lawsuit.
  • Sacramento County’s Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force: What’s next for plans to cut GHG?
  • Sales Tax to Fund Transit – plans for Citizens’ Initiative for 2026 Ballot: How can we help?
  • Biomass & Beyond: Growing a Resilient Regional Bioeconomy (recent Valley Vision event): We have a lot of dead trees in the Sierras, and much agricultural waste – we must do better than burn them!
  • Airport South Industrial Project – diesel exhaust near school: City Council hearing Dec. 2
  • Upper Westside Project: County postponed approval after City Council letter of concerns
  • SMUD’s 2030 zero-carbon goal, and proposed Coyote Creek solar project: County hearing Nov 18.

Click here to view the agenda.