Blog
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Support the Climate Resilience Bond:Vote “Yes” on Prop 4
This November, California voters have an opportunity to make a historic impact by voting for Prop 4 — the Climate Resilience Bond (SB 867). Prop 4 would provide the resources necessary to protect our communities from the escalating impacts of climate change.
Make Your Voice Heard: Tell Goleta to Adopt an Electric Vehicle Reach Code
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the City of Goleta will vote to adopt an EV reach code. EV reach codes are one of the most powerful ways to expand charging access at multifamily properties and workplaces so that renters and those without access to charging at home can more easily and affordably use electric vehicles. We ask for your help to ensure Goleta constructs EV-ready residential and commercial buildings.
Act Now on County of Santa Barbara's Climate Action Plan
Join us to tell the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors that this Climate Action Plan must include emissions from oil and gas facilities. Attend the Board meeting and provide public comment, Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the Board Chambers in Santa Maria
Help ensure the City of Santa Barbara continues ambitious climate action!
On July 2, 2024, the Santa Barbara City Council will consider adopting an updated Climate Action Plan. The Community Environmental Council has been tracking this plan for many years, and we need your support to ensure Santa Barbara adopts this plan and continues implementing bold climate solutions.
Climate Activist Training: How to Participate in Government Meetings Resources Toolkit
CEC was thrilled to host the recent Climate Activist Training—our first-ever hybrid, bilingual event where we shared guidance on getting involved in local policy and CEC’s latest climate policy actions.
Free Extreme Heat Forum on Tuesday, August 15
If you (or someone you know) are 65 and older, live on California’s Central Coast, and are concerned about rising temperatures in our community, we invite you to join us for our inaugural Extreme Heat Forum presented by the Gray Panthers Santa Barbara Network, Society of Fearless Grandmothers Santa Barbara, and the Community Environmental Council on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Help California get to Carbon Neutrality by 2035
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will soon decide on two major issues impacting California's ability to move quicker on combating the climate crisis. We need you to share your voice and spread the word on two key issues: Carbon Neutrality and Clean Cars. Take 5 minutes today to advance critical climate policy by 10 years.
WIN: All-electric new building construction is the future of Santa Barbara
On Tuesday, July 20, 2021, Santa Barbara City Council and Mayor Cathy Murillo voted unanimously to enact a new building ordinance prohibiting natural gas infrastructure in newly constructed buildings, with the exception of restaurants and applications where there isn't yet a viable electric alternative to gas. With this vote, the City takes an important step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting our 2035 carbon neutrality goal.
WIN: AB1276 passes to help eliminate single-use plastics from take-out and delivery orders #SkipTheStuff
Thank you for helping pass AB1276! We now have a policy in place that requires that restaurants and online food delivery platforms list the accessories they provide so that customers can choose only what they need. This will help eliminate millions of tons of single-use foodware from entering the waste stream. Local jurisdictions are creating their own implementation strategies and CEC is working with the City of Goleta in the hopes that they will include an EPS (Styrofoam) ban in their plan.
WIN: Help create a safer, more equitably accessible, and uninterrupted travel corridor for bicyclists and pedestrians
Santa Barbara’s Mayor and City Council members voted unanimously to uphold the appeal and support the Westside Community Paseos project. There were some conditions to their approval, mostly to ensure that the Historic Landmarks Commission members can support landscape design for the project and to improve the way that City staff bring these projects to their design review boards (including the Historic Landmarks Commission).
Approving the Westside Community Paseos project is a critical step for climate action, safer biking and walking, and clean transportation equity in Santa Barbara.
ÉXITO: Ayúdanos a crear una ruta de recorrido más segura, equitativamente accesible, e ininterrumpida para ciclistas y peatones
El alcalde de Santa Bárbara y los miembros del Consejo Municipal votaron unánimemente para defender la petición y apoyar el Proyecto Paseos de la Comunidad del Lado Oeste. Hubo algunas condiciones para su aprobación, principalmente para garantizar que los miembros de la Comisión de Monumentos Históricos puedan apoyar el diseño del paisaje para el proyecto y para mejorar la forma en que el personal de la Ciudad lleva estos proyectos a sus reuniones de revisión de diseño (incluida la Comisión de Monumentos Históricos).
Aprobar el Proyecto Paseos de la Comunidad del Lado Oeste es un paso crítico para la acción climática, andar en bicicleta y caminar de manera más segura y equidad en el transporte limpio en Santa Bárbara.
WIN: City of Santa Barbara moves forward an Energy Code Amendment
The City of Santa Barbara is moving forward an Energy Code Amendment that would require new buildings to be built all-electric instead of also using natural gas. This new code does not apply to existing buildings or homes, and will have NO affect on existing buildings supplied by natural gas.
These new buildings will help make zero carbon communities possible and will get us a step closer to the City's goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035. The next step is to consult with stakeholders and bring back a refined all-electric code for new buildings in the next couple months.
WIN: City of Santa Barbara sets bold goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035
We did it! Join us in applauding the City of Santa Barbara for joining the City of San Luis Obispo in setting a goal of Carbon Neutrality by 2035. On the heels of Governor Newsom's executive order to advance key zero-emission climate goals to 2035, this decision represents a momentous step forward for our city, our region, and our state.
LOSS: SB 54 and AB 1080 fail to pass California legislature
CEC and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper are sad to share that the landmark California Circular Economy and Plastic Pollution Reduction Act (SB 54 and AB 1080) failed to pass the California legislature.
WIN: Take Action on Local Transportation Reform in your Community / Toma acción sobre la reforma del sistema de transportación en tu comunidad
A final version of Connected 2050 RTP-SCS was adopted in August 2021. Learn more.
Una versión final de Connected 2050 RTP-SCS se adoptó en agosto de 2021. Aprende más.
WIN: Strauss Wind Project underway! #cleanenergy
We are pleased to share that the Strauss Wind Project received its permits in early May. This means that construction can begin on Santa Barbara’s first wind farm. Renewable energy continues to be more cost-effective than oil and gas and the struggles of the fossil fuel industry during the COVID-19 pandemic are only increasing this divide.