HomeMy WebLinkAbout122121 350 Contra CostaFrom: 350 Contra Costa
To: Marie Sunseri
Subject: Please place in public comment in Council meeting and send to Council Members
Date: Thursday, December 9, 2021 7:00:34 AM
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Learn. Engage. Act.
To: City Clerk or City Manager,
Please place this email into the next agenda packet under public comment at
the next Council meeting and also send it to the Mayor and Council Members.
Thank you for your assistance.
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:
We are writing to you on behalf of 350ContraCosta to share with you a recent
report from The Climate Center on the state of emissions in the Bay Area and
more specifically, Contra Costa.
We in 350 Contra Costa all live in Contra Costa and work to advocate and
partner with City Elected leaders and staff to accelerate action on solutions to
our climate crisis that can bring benefits of healthier air and water, new living
wage jobs, and more equity in clean energy, housing, and transportation.
Overall in the Bay Area, the electricity sector has made good progress in
reducing its emissions, however, the increases in transportation, natural gas,
and solid waste emissions almost entirely offset the gains made in the electricity
sector. At the same time, the report shows for Contra Costa:
• Electricity emissions reductions lagged among all Bay Area Counties,
second only to Santa Clara
• Due to our County's refineries, our natural gas emissions skyrocketed, in
extreme contrast to other counties that saw no or minor increases in
emissions.
• Waste emissions decreased slightly, but compared to other counties, the
level of waste remains high.
• Like most Bay Area Counties, we continue to increase emissions in the
transportation sector.
Jock Gilchrist, Research and Initiative Manager at The Climate Center and
lead author on the report, said, "The slow pace of change in the Bay Area
underscores the need for forward -thinking policymaking at the local, state, and
federal levels."
Here is a short article on the matter and at the end of the article is a link to the
full report. We urge you to consider the importance of this issue in your priorities
for your respective cities.
Here are three areas where cities can make important strides:
1. If you haven't already, declare a climate emergency and identify in your
Council resolution some key targets for action. Both Contra Costa County
and the City of Pinole have recently enacted these and with them, a clear
message to staff about priority for action. By acknowledging the state of
peril we are in with the changing climate, Cities exercise practical and
moral leadership that can arouse and motivate residents to action as well.
2. Focus on electrifying new and existing buildings, a significant source of
local emissions. 350 Contra Costa has information on many of these
efforts and would be happy to make a presentation to the Council or a
SubCommittee.
3. Be an inspiring model for your residents and set aggressive goals for zero
emissions in City operations. Contra Costa County's emerging Climate
Action Plan is placing high attention on this goal.
Please do not hesitate to reach out. We in 350ContraCosta want to be a
resource to you. Please contact us via lisa@350contracosta.org
Thank you,
Derene, Marti, and Lisa on behalf of the 350 Contra Costa, Climate Policy Team
Contact email: lisa@contracosta.org
350 Contra Costa • www.350BayArea.org/350ContraCosta • This email was sent to
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