MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SONOMA COUNTY!
350 Sonoma, an all-volunteer non-profit, is working to slow climate change and promote climate justice in the county. We're part of 350 Bay Area and inspired by 350.org, the international climate action organization founded by Bill McKibbon. We meet the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County, 467 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa. Join us!Support 350 Sonoma Actions:
Stop the Sonoma Co Airport expansion!
This week we are launching an effort to get signatures on this petition asking the Board of Supervisors to stop the expansion of the Charles M Schulz County Airport:
Please sign now as we would like to deliver this petition with hundreds of signatures to the Supervisors next week.
To sign, click this: https://www.change.org/StopAirportExpansion
Reasons to sign
We are in a Climate Crisis.
- Locally we are already experiencing impacts of the climate crisis including record high winds, wildfires, floods, and the loss of health, homes and lives.
- In recognition of this, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has passed a Climate Emergency Resolution.
Air travel emits significant CO2 which worsens the Climate Crises.
- A round-trip flight from New York to London generates an average of 986 kg of CO2 per passenger. There are 56 countries where the average person’s carbon footprint is less than that for an entire year.
- There is a proposal to increase air travel at the Sonoma County Airport with plans to begin construction this summer on expansion of the airport terminal.
- It is expected to cost $25 Million to expand the terminal (half of the funds have been obtained). We need public support to STOP expansion of the Sonoma County Airport. To learn more and sign go to petition link.
Santa Rosa passes Climate Emergency Resolution!
Thanks to all who wrote emails, showed up at the City Council meeting, and made public comments in support of a toothy Climate Emergency Resolution! We did it! Our voices were heard loud and clear!
On Tuesday, January 14th the Santa
Rosa City Council passed a Climate Emergency Resolution templated off
the RCPA’s Resolution, but with the following additions
- the City sets a target of zero GHG emissions by 2030, commits to tracking progress toward that goal, and publicizes that progress on an annual (or biannual) basis
- the Climate Action Subcommittee will give consideration the List of Actions submitted by the community-led Santa Rosa Climate Emergency Resolution group
While we continue to show up and hold all of our electeds accountable, we also need to actively support their best efforts in all ways possible.
GASP(Graton Against Synthetic Pesticides) check them out at www.gratongasps.com
In order to end the use of synthetic pesticides, we need to drive Awareness and Consumer Demand in a big way. Join GASP in Graton or use these ideas to make a difference in your home city.
1. Sign and Share the petition and pledge – stating you will not buy or consume conventionally grown wine.
2. Awareness – Ask restaurants, bars and grocery stores for more organic/biodynamic wines.
3. If you host events- make sure they supply with organic/biodynamic wine.
Santa Rosa Climate Emergency Resolution Pending
Please send a short email to the Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council members, City Clerk, and City Manager [cut and paste all the addresses below] asking them to step up their ambitions and pass a meaningful Climate Emergency Resolution!
tschwedhelm@srcity.org, crogers@srcity.org, jsawyer@srcity.org, eolivares@srcity.org, vfleming@srcity.org, hjtibbetts@srcity.org, CityClerk@srcity.org, CMOffice@srcity.org
Speak in your own words. Short and sweet is perfect. Here are some talking points to get you started:
- Over 1,250 national and sub-national governments have declared a climate emergency (http://bit.ly/ce-governments)
- There is no remaining “carbon budget” that we can safely burn.
- Reducing our current emissions doesn’t solve the problem. It just slows down the rate at which we’re making the problem worse.
- We have to put ourselves on a steep path to zero emissions by 2040 at the latest. That’s 7% to 10% per year starting now!
- Just because there are many causes of the climate crisis that are beyond our control, we are still obligated to do everything that is within our control to address the climate crisis.
- Perhaps most important: we need to set a clear goal of zero emissions and we need to annually track our progress toward that goal.
- Implementing climate actions moves us closer to a clean, equitable, resilient, people-friendly future.
- Many of the “no-regrets” actions that we can implement immediately save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time!
Another Way to Support Equitable, Local Climate Action in Sonoma County!
A growing coalition of community groups and individuals are banding together to push for Climate Emergency Resolutions at the County level and in all the cities – Petaluma has already passed a CER, and Santa Rosa is in the process of considering it. Sign the online petition to support the effort to pass the Climate Emergency Resolutions and immediate actions in our county to reduce climate emissions.
Actions for After the Climate Strike!
Take Action!
1. Register to vote. In California citizens can pre-register to vote starting when they are 16 (and can vote in elections when 18 or older).
2. Ask CA Senator Diane Feinstein to support the Green New Deal Resolution in U.S. Congress. Call her office: (415) 393-0707 or Send email to California Senator Diane Feinstein
Script: “Hello, My name is ____, and I am a student from _____(city), zip code is 95472. I am calling today to urge Senator Feinstein to sign onto the Green New Deal. This is extremely important to me because I need a livable climate for my future (and/or add your own reasons!). Thank you
3. Sign online petition asking the California teacher retirement fund (CalSTRS) to divest from fossil fuel companies.
Participate!
Come to Climate Action Night, April 24th, 4:30-7:15, Santa Rosa Junior College. Learn from student presenters and take action on climate legislation.
Volunteer at Sebastopol’s Apple Blossom Festival on April 13th or 14th for a 2-hour shift to help with compost and recycling. Free admission when you volunteer! Sign up here
Volunteer at Santa Rosa Earth Day on April 27th to help with compost and recycling: Click this link to sign up to be a volunteer at Santa Rosa Earth Day April 27th. If you want to be on the compost/ recycling stations, write “Put me on the Green Team” in the “Additional Comments” section.
Learn!
Learn about the Green New Deal from the youth activist Sunrise Movement website
Learn why divestment from fossil fuel companies is a powerful tool to combat climate change: Watch video
- After you sign the online petition asking the California teacher retirement fund (CalSTRS) to divest from fossil fuel companies, ask your teachers to sign the petition by giving them this flier
- Currently over $6 billion of the teacher retirement fund is invested in fossil fuel companies, an industry that pumps CO2 into the atmosphere, the main source of climate change
- This letter explains the campaign.
Climate Action Gets Priority Designation in Santa Rosa
by Mike Turgeon & Kevin Conway
On Thursday, February 21st, the Santa Rosa City Council made the wise and bold decision to elevate their Climate Action Plan (CAP) to a Tier 1 priority level. Other priorities at this top level are Financial Stability, Housing, Recovery and Resilience, and Homelessness. In addition to Tier 1 status, expected climate actions by the council this year now include passing the electric-ready ordinance on new construction, forming a Council sub-committee on climate to project manage CAP implementation, and obtaining a cost analysis for the city to go Evergreen, Sonoma Clean Power’s 100% renewable energy program. These are key decisions regarding climate and now climate activists must hold the Council to their statements. At one time, Santa Rosa was a state leader and advocate for Climate Action. In fact, President Obama designated Sonoma County as a ‘climate champion,’ one of only 17 such designations in the entire country.
In 2012, Santa Rosa developed and approved a Community Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and a Municipal Climate Action Plan (MCAP) in 2013. Unfortunately, the CCAP has languished for a number of years, largely due to the fact that no city department assumed responsibility for it’s implementation and when an implementation team was finally formed, it met infrequently. While there has been good progress in addressing the Municipal CAP, very little has been done to effectively address the Community CAP. Also, while the CCAP was a comprehensive document for 2012, a time when the climate crisis was not as recognizable to the majority of the population, we are obviously in a different place now and the CAP will require an update as funds allow.
Since the 2017 Santa Rosa fires, the Friends of the Climate Action Plan (FoCAP) have met regularly with council members asking them to take bold action regarding the climate. In October of last year (FoCAP) succeeded in attaining a public study session reporting on the status of both the Municipal and Community CAPs. That report revealed how far behind the city is toward reaching their GHG reduction goals. Fortunately, at that meeting, a motion was made and seconded to consider an all-electric ready ordinance and amended to also include a cost analysis for the city to go Evergreen. As it turned out, this motion was relegated as a ‘report item’ and was never agendized for a council discussion, public debate and vote. To the climate community these moves seem woefully incremental in the face of our impending crisis; however, this current Council is to be commended for paying attention to the public’s concern.
Mike Turgeon & Kevin Conway are guest bloggers and founding members of Friends of the Climate Action Plan, a group that 350 Sonoma works closely with as we advocate for local climate solutions
Ask Sen. Feinstein to Champion the Green New Deal
Before February 25, Call Senator Feinstein and tell her to stand with the majority of Californians and champion the Green New Deal. SF Office: (415) 393-0707
SCRIPT:
Hi, my name is [FULL NAME ON VOTING REGISTRATION], I’m [AGE] years old and I live in [ZIP CODE], and I’m calling to ask that Senator Feinstein support a plan to stop the climate crisis that’s actually in line with what the world’s top scientists with the United Nations say is necessary. That starts with her cosponsoring Senator Markey’s resolution for a Green New Deal.
I am scared to lose [what are you scared to lose?] to climate change, and I’m asking Senator Feinstein to support the resolution. Thank you.
Take Action to Support Public Banking
Public banks keep money in our communities, and provide local investment. Fossil fuel Infrastructure is made possible by big banks. Let’s divest our public funds from Wall Street and bring our money home!
The Friends of Public Banking group in Santa Rosa is asking us to take action. They are collecting signatures of support for the California Public Banking Alliance (CPBA) legislative proposal. This will make it easier to establish public banks at the local level, so we can rebuild our local economy. Consider adding your name to the petition here. You can also write a letter directly to your Congressional Representative showing your support for public banking and our legislative proposal. Send a letter of support.
Here’s a video explaining what public banking is and how it works.
Ask Sebastopol to Ban Polystyrene Foam
Come to Sebastopol City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 5th to support the city’s adoption of the ordinance written by Sonoma County Waste Management Agency: “Ordinance to Prohibit Use and Sale of Disposable Food Service Ware and Other Products Containing Polystyrene Foam” which would ban polystyrene foam and other disposable food ware that is non-compostable and not recyclable. Tuesday, March 5th, starting at 6pm at the Sebastopol Youth Annex, Teen Center, 425 Morris Street. Check here after Feb 28 for the agenda to estimate time item will be considered.
You can send an email to council members now to let them know you support adoption of this ordinance: Sample script:
Dear council members-
Please vote to adopt the Ordinance to Prohibit Use and Sale of Disposable Food Service Ware and Other Products Containing Polystyrene Foam. Polystyrene foam products are not recyclable or biodegradable and are a threat to wildlife in our waterways, public spaces, and beaches. (your name and address)
Email to: Sebastopol City Council email list: Slayter, Patrick <ps.sebcc@gmail.com>, Sarah Gurney <sarahgurney.seb@gmail.com>, una.glass.seb@sonic.net, neysacouncil@gmail.com, Michael Carnacchi <mcarnacchi@cityofsebastopol.org>, mgourley@cityofsebastopol.org
Jan 28 Board of Supervisors Planning Session to Support the $15 Minimum Wage
January 28 @ 12:00 amCome to the Next No Gas Here Meeting
January 29 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmLearn About Carbon Tax and Cap N’ Trade at the Feb 5 Carbon Conversations.
February 5 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pmLocal Screening of Hike the Divide!
February 12 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm350 Sonoma Meeting
February 19 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm