Tag Archives: Climate Change

Video: Climate Justice Mayoral Forum

On Monday, January 22, 2024, the Climate Committee of the League of Women Voters of Sacramento County and a dozen local Sacramento climate action and social justice organizations asked candidates for Sacramento mayor how they would chart a livable climate future for our city. Candidates answered questions about climate and environmental justice and how those issues intersect with transit, housing, public health and more. This was a free virtual event, all welcome. Spanish translation was provided.

You can watch the recording of the forum below.

Participating Sacramento mayoral candidates:

  • Dr. Flojaune Cofer
  • Assemblymember Kevin McCarty
  • Dr. Richard Pan
  • Councilmember Steve Hansen
  • Jose Avina

Co-sponsoring organizations

  • 350 Sacramento
  • California Climate Voters
  • Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS)
  • Fridays for Future Sacramento
  • Indivisible Sacramento
  • SacMoves Coalition
  • Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA)
  • Sacramento Climate Coalition
  • Sacramento Environmental Justice Coalition
  • Sacramento Metro Advocates for Rail and Transit (SMART)
  • Strong SacTown
  • Third Act Sacramento

2040 General Plan Update: Missing Middle Housing & Maximum Floor Area Ratio

On November 28, 2023, ECOS submitted a letter of support for the City of Sacramento’s proposal for the missing middle housing ordinance as part of the General Plan Update. Below is an excerpt from our letter.

For over 50 years, ECOS has urged our region to increase infill housing as opposed to sprawl development, in order to preserve habitat and make our air healthier to breathe. More recently it has become clear that this is needed to limit greenhouse gas emissions that jeopardize the future of our species, and to deal with our #1 local issue: the lack of affordable housing and concomitant homelessness. For these reasons, ECOS has consistently promoted investment in public transit and light rail, and the development of transit-oriented infill development. Additionally, ECOS recognizes that our past discriminatory housing policy has caused a development pattern that must be adjusted to promote environmental justice and equity.

Click here to read our letter in full.

ECOS Climate Committee meeting 11/16/2023

ECOS Climate Committee meeting
Thursday, November 16, 2023 – 6 PM start (Zoom)
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6656164155
To phone in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 665 616 4155

6:00 PM: Welcome and Introductions

6:10 PM: Timothy Irvine-Alavi (Chair, Sacramento County Climate Emergency Mobilization Task Force) –
will report on the Task Force’s progress on recommendations to County Supervisors to be presented this winter. These result from their Energy Technical Advisory Panel (especially existing building electrification), their Transportation Technical Advisory Panel, and their Outreach and Education Subcommittee.

6:40 PM: Tamie Dramer (Executive Director, Organize Sacramento) –
will present polling results for a possible November 2024 ballot initiative for affordable housing.

7:00 PM: Updates and Announcements

  1. Caltrans has started construction on the I-80 Yolo Causeway between Sacramento and Davis. On Monday, Nov. 13, Caltrans is scheduled to release a draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) for the larger project – Adding lanes to the causeway. Let’s discuss possible comments due next month.
  2. Climate Pollution Reduction Grants Plan, Nov. 9 joint meeting SACOG, SMUD, SMAQMD, SacRT boards: to secure $ billions for climate initiatives (like ZEV deployment). Pre-proposal due Feb. 1, 2024 to US EPA. (e.g.: forest biomass conversion to green hydrogen fuel and sequestered biochar)
  3. New ECOS contract with SacRT for Educational Outreach and Communication Support Services

Click here to view the agenda in PDF.