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.

Climate change and displacement research webinar 5/25 @ 11am

Please join the Center for Community InnovationUrban Displacement Project team from 11am-noon PDT on Tuesday, May 25 to hear the latest on our statewide climate change mitigation investments and displacement research.
 
This research was funded by the California Strategic Growth Council and was conducted in partnership with Asian Pacific Environmental Network, California Housing Partnership Corporation, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Public Advocates, and Public Counsel.
 
In this webinar, our team will share Bay Area-specific quantitative research findings and will engage participants in a discussion about how our research findings might inform coordinated anti-displacement and sustainability policies, programs, and investments. 
 
Please register in advance for this webinar using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0kdOCorT4iGtAMsCbQrFjcyvnb-w3p9awn 
 
Questions? Contact: 
Renee Roy Elias, Ph.D. krroy[at]berkeley[dot]edu
Executive Director, Center for Community Innovation
University of California, Berkeley

California’s Latest Drought in 4 Charts

Alvar Escriva-Bou, Jeffrey Mount, Michael Dettinger | May 3, 2021 | Public Policy Institute of California

California is grappling with drought again, facing many of the same conditions and challenges that were features of the 2012–16 drought—including stressed ecosystems, depleted reservoirs, hard-hit farms and rural communities, threats to urban water supplies, and the potential for extensive wildfires. Knowing what’s different and what’s similar to our last major drought can help us better prepare the most vulnerable sectors for ongoing dry times.

To put this drought in context, this is only its second year. Historically, droughts have lasted up to six years. Our most recent one lasted five. We cannot know if this drought will break next year or four years from now, but we should plan for continuing drought.

https://www.ppic.org/blog/californias-latest-drought-in-4-charts/

Click here to read the full article.


California’s Wildfire Season Is Off to an Early Start

By Olivia Rosane | May 4, 2021 | EcoWatch

Fire season in California usually starts in summer and extends through the fall, according to The Guardian. However, the climate crisis has upended weather patterns in the state, which is now suffering from drought conditions. Much of California, including the north, is experiencing its driest wet season in more than 40 years; Sacramento experienced its driest on record in April, NWS said.

https://www.ecowatch.com/california-wildfires-2021-2652873703.html

Click here to read the full article.

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/

Thank you Awards Sponsors!

A big THANK YOU to all of the individuals and sponsoring the Environmentalist of the Year Awards this year!

Including:

Andy Sawyer & Carol Bingham
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)
SKK Developments
Rob and Maureen Burness
Vista Properties
Ralph Propper
Robert and Anne Meagher
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1000
Physicians for Social Responsibility Sacramento Chapter
Sierra Club Sacramento Group
Sacramento Natural Foods Coop
McCord Environmental, Inc.
Kuvara Law Firm
Earl Withycombe
Fair Oaks EcoHousing

Each sponsorship is an investment in the ongoing success of ECOS, as well as the recognition provided by the Environmentalist of the Year Awards.