Thank you all for joining our monthly OC Climate Coalition meeting last night! We shared important updates on the CPUC, South Coast AQMD, and the risks of synthetic turf. Check out our recap below and take action for clean air!
KEY AGREEMENTS:
- Climate change is the greatest threat humanity has ever faced.
- While the climate crisis affects all of us, it impacts communities of color first and worst because of historic and contemporary pervasive racism, classism, and other forms of “othering” that create a worldview where Black, Brown and Indigenous people and places are viewed as expendable. This Coalition must work to replace this worldview, which is deeply rooted in white supremacy, hierarchy, and dominance with a cooperative, egalitarian, and explicitly anti-racist vision for our future in Orange County.
- Climate change is caused by GHG emissions.
- According to the IPCC, limiting climate impacts requires rapidly reaching at least net zero carbon dioxide emissions, along with strong, immediate and sustained reductions in methane emissions. (see also IPCC Summary for Policymakers)
- According to the UN, cities produce 75% of GHG emissions.
- OC is the 6th most populous county in the US, containing 34 cities and unincorporated OC.
- Under California law, California cities can adopt a variety of policies that address emissions at the scale of the climate crisis while increasing equity (i.e. 100% clean electricity through Community Choice, legally-binding Climate Action Plans, building electrification ordinances, active transportation plans with mode share targets, affordable housing near public transportation, etc)
- Most OC cities (with a few exceptions) have not adopted meaningful climate policy.
- Individuals have the greatest power to impact policy at the city level.
Therefore:
- OCCC should focus on advancing local policies that rapidly reduce emissions at the scale of the climate emergency while increasing equity and adaptation measures for vulnerable communities.
VISION:
An Orange County that reaches zero carbon by 2030, leading the world on effective, equitable climate action.
GOALS:
Achieve 100% clean, renewable energy by 2030: Re-envision energy usage and infrastructure in Orange County through the democratization of energy systems, i.e. Community Choice Energy, community and rooftop solar, and microgrids.
Advance environmental and social justice: Support vulnerable communities. Work to understand and mitigate harmful impacts of a transition to a zero carbon future on communities of concern and our interdependence with others outside of our region.
Advance transformative engagement of our communities: Ensure meaningful participation and leadership from communities of concern in the transition to zero carbon. Promote climate education.
Promote sustainable communities, housing, and transit: Create affordable and inclusive bikeable, walkable, transit-friendly communities that are connected to schools, jobs, shopping, and parks, while actively working to prevent displacement. Build a world-class regional transit system that is free to youth and rivals travel by car. End policies that incentivize vehicle use. Plant and maintain a robust urban forest.
Ensure a just transition for workers: Advance the creation of good, family-sustaining union jobs by increasing workers’ earning power, guaranteeing collective bargaining, requiring prevailing wages, and incentivizing worker-directed enterprises, all while supporting workplace development in communities of concern. Provide a just transition to workers impacted by a transitioning economy by providing severance packages, a climate job guarantee, wage and benefit parity, retirement security, free education, and family healthcare.
Transform our relationship with natural resources and the environment: Protect and restore wildlife habitats and ecosystems in the interest of advancing the health and wellbeing of native species and our communities. Achieve sustainable and regenerative food systems.
Adapt to a changing climate: Prioritize investments in adaptation infrastructure and public facilities such as shade structures and cooling centers in communities of concern. Support equitable and science-based efforts to plan relocation from the coastline as sea levels rise. Provide support to climate refugees.