Sacramento County declared a climate emergency. Its action plan should take that seriously.

By The Sacramento Bee Editorial Board | July 18, 2021 | The Sacramento Bee

Sacramento County is still drafting its long-overdue climate action plan, which could have decades-long impacts on how we care for our environment. A favorable outcome will depend on the seriousness of county officials to act in its best interests.

California is in the midst of a rough summer. Sacramento saw surprisingly early 100-degree days in May, and climate experts say the brutal heat waves across the West Coast that have killed hundreds of people and devastated shellfish will become a recurring summer norm. We’re also facing a severe drought of historic proportions. Oh, and did we mention the wildfires that are outpacing last year’s record season?

Depending on the willingness of Sacramento County officials to commit to significant mitigation strategies, it’s no hyperbole to say the county’s climate plan will determine how long Sacramento will remain habitable in the face of impending climate catastrophe.

https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article252761058.html

Click here to read the article in full.


Photo by Marta Dzedyshko from Pexels

Developers funded Sacramento County climate action plan

Environmentalists see a conflict.

By Michael Finch II | June 10, 2021, Updated JUNE 11, 2021 | The Sacramento Bee

Sacramento County leaned on developers last year to help fund its long-delayed climate action plan, raising conflict of interest concerns among environmentalists who say the early drafts do not have enough detail to be an effective blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In the eyes of some environmentalists, the financial arrangement suggests a conflict of interest. Each of the five firms wants the Board of Supervisors to expand the boundaries of where new development is allowed to include their projects. And that decision is in conflict with the aims of the climate plan.

“I know some environmentalists were concerned that the county’s staff was compromised in this way,” said Ralph Propper, president of the Environmental Council of Sacramento. “There were a lot of concerns about that but the county was pleading poverty.”

https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/environment/article252009793.html

Click here to read the full article.


Photo by Pok Rie from Pexels

Climate Action Plans in CA: ECOS Board Meeting Presentations

We had two very informative presentations at our ECOS board meeting on May 25, 2021.

Our presenters included George Courser, Chair of San Diego Sierra Club’s Conservation Committee, and Erik de Kok of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and former Climate Action Planner.

Thank you to our presenters and everyone who attended!

Below are a few slides from Erik de Kok’s presentation.

Download a Recording of the Meeting

To download a recording of the meeting from Google Drive, click here.

ECOS Board Meeting 5/25 @ 6pm

Join the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) at the ECOS Board of Directors meeting! These meetings are a great place to network with fellow environmentalists and to keep up with the latest local environmental successes and challenges.

May 2021 Presentations: How does Sacramento County’s draft Climate Action Plan compare with others around the State?

We have two speakers on this topic. Please come for their presentations and follow-up Q&A.
George Courser chairs the San Diego Sierra Club’s Conservation Committee. George led their successful lawsuit challenging their county’s Climate Action Plan, due to its lack of enforceable measures to adequately reduce the climate change impacts of development there.

Erik de Kok works at the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, providing local planning guidance in furtherance of the State’s climate goals. A decade ago, Erik led the preparation of Sacramento’s current climate action plans.

We’ll also get our updates and announcements from our working committees, member organizations and members! Feel free to share with your networks.

Click here for the full agenda.

Zoom info

Link to join meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81865377865 | Call-in: 1-669-900-6833 | Meeting ID: 818 6537 7865

Mark Your Calendar

ECOS Board of Directors meets on the fourth Tuesday of every other month (odd-numbered months). We will be holding all board meetings via Zoom until further notice. You do not need to be a member of ECOS to attend.

About the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS)

Our mission is to achieve regional and community sustainability and a healthy environment for existing and future residents. By working proactively with our members, member organizations, local government, and community groups, ECOS energizes and brings positive change to the Sacramento region as we strive to develop thriving communities.

In Español: Nuestra misión es de contribuir a la conservación y manejo sostenible de los recursos naturales y del medio ambiente desde la justicia y solidaridad, participando en la ejecución y administración de proyectos estratégicos de desarrollo ambiental en el ámbito local, junto a nuestros miembros, otras organizaciones, y el gobierno local. ECOS trabaja para crear cambios positivos en la región y a su vez ayuda a nuestras comunidades a prosperar.

Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke – May 13 webinar

Last fall, smoke affected your life and health. This fall……? It is likely to happen again. Why?

Learn about climate change and wildfires, the dangers of smoke and how to protect your health at home.

Join us at 6:00pm – 7:30pm Pacific Time on Thursday, May 13th

Registration and Program details: Sacbreathe.org/where-theres-fire/

Learn why we are experiencing increased smoke from wildfires in Sacramento and why it is getting worse. We’ll discuss how heat and smoke affect health. We’ll offer practical information on protecting your health from smoke, with an emphasis on what you can do at home. Finally, you’ll learn about the Sacramento County Climate Action Plan and how to contribute your ideas to keeping Sacramento a great place to live.

Speakers

  • Climate change and wildfires – Dana Nuccitelli, environmental scientist and climate journalist
  • Health impacts of climate change and smoke – Dr. Helene Margolis, epidemiologist, UC Davis
  • Mitigating smoke impacts at home – Jeff Williams Ph.D, air pollution Specialist, CARB
  • Climate Action Plans – What are they and how you can make your voice heard by the County – Michelle Manning

Photo by Pixabay https://www.pexels.com/photo/forest-on-fire-51951/