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Climate Mitigation and Adaptation News
March 22, 2017
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A biweekly newsletter of the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative
We have entered "truly uncharted territory," according to the World Meteorological Society, which confirmed
2016 as the hottest year since records began in 1880. The world hasn't been this warm since 115,000 years ago, and carbon dioxide levels haven't been this high for four million years. 2016 was 1.69F above the 20th century average, and the third consecutive year that has broken the heat record. And 2017 continues the trend, with February temperatures
7.3F above average in the contiguous United States, ushering in an unusually early spring.
But we also have reasons to be optimistic. Globally,
greenhouse gas emissions have remained flat for a third consecutive year. Here in California,
a rainy winter has transformed the land from gray to green. The state is moving forward with ambitious actions to combat climate change, from adopting a 40 percent greenhouse gas reduction goal by 2030 to numerous examples of local leadership. To support continued progress, the newly established Integrated Climate and Adaptation and Resilience Program (ICARP) will help facilitate coordination and collaboration on climate adaptation between state policy efforts and local and regional organizations, including the Alliance of Regional Collaboratives on Climate Adaptation, of which the CRC is a founding member. Learn more about the ICARP at its first meeting on March 27.
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| California water quality agency adopts climate change resolution |
The State Water Resources Control Board adopted a resolution that aims to incorporate climate change into all its programs and policies. By July 2018, the board will make a series of recommendations on how to modify its permitting systems to respond to climate change, including how to reduce water and wastewater treatment infrastructure's vulnerability to flooding and sea-level rise, whether to adjust the siting of new drinking water systems in response to projected temperature increases, and how to account for climate change when modeling water availability and shortages. (
SWRCB)
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In the Sierra Nevadas, new approaches to protecting forests under stress
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In California's Sierras and around the world, climate change is killing trees and threatening the viability of forests. Some ecologists are saying that land managers now need to adopt radical new strategies that combine "resistance," "resilience," and "realignment" actions. While resistance and resilience can help forests in the short-term, realignment means that forests may have to be shifted to ensure their long-term viability. But livable conditions for some species, including the sequoia, may disappear in their native range and make it necessary to establish "neo-native" populations well outside their present boundaries but within the range found in the fossil record - a controversial practice called assisted migration. (
Yale 360)
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What climate change has to do with the price of your lettuce
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Photo: Eric Thayer/Reuters
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Unusual weather in the Southwest could cause a nationwide salad shortage later this month. Scientists say the weird weather is probably caused by climate change - which means these sorts of problems are likely to happen again. The shortage is the result of unusual weather in the two key centers of U.S. lettuce production: abnormally warm temperatures ended the lettuce harvest early in Arizona's Yuma County, while heavy precipitation is delaying plantings in California's Salinas Valley. (
Link)
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| How to push climate action forward in the Trump era |
The former head of communications for the EPA offers some good strategies about communicating about climate change and advancing climate change actions in the local community. (
Grist)
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| New doctors alliance warns of climate change's health impacts |
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Photo: Getty Images |
Encompassing 11 of the US's leading medical societies and over 400,000 doctors, the
Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health intends to advocate for climate change and health awareness among the public and policymakers. The new alliance represents the first time that disparate physician groups have banded together to publicly discuss how climate change is making Americans sick. At their launch, the group also released a
report that combines climate health research, physician stories, research-based evidence, and a discussion of the role of physicians in advocacy and education. According to the report , a quarter of Americans can name one way in which climate change is affecting their health. (
Link)
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| "A sense of despair": The mental health cost of unchecked climate change |
Study after study shows that climate change has led to an increased burden of psychological disease and injury worldwide. Extreme weather evets are known to trigger mental health problems including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, the abuse of alcohol and drugs, and more. Extreme weather has a particularly disturbing link to increased aggression, and in utero exposure to urban air pollution is linked to the development of symptoms of anxiety and depression later in life. Climate anxiety can cripple individuals regardless of their geography, privilege, or vulnerability. The Climate Psych Alliance is a new coalition trying to raise awareness about the links between climate change and clinical trauma. (
CBS)
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| World Bank: Account for consumption and wellbeing costs in natural disasters |
Global natural disasters cost $520 billion of consumption loss annually, 60 percent larger than asset losses, according to a World Bank report. The estimate is based on the impact of disasters such as floods, windstorms, earthquakes, and tsunamis on people's well-being, measured by the decline in their consumption. The design of disaster risk management should not rely only on asset losses, as some interventions would generate lower gains in avoided asset losses but larger gains in well-being. (
Bloomberg)
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Case Studies and Examples
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| Los Angeles is on track to meet its climate goals |
California's biggest city is on track to meet the goals set out in the Sustainable City pLAn, first released in April 2015. Los Angeles Department of Water & Power has reduced its GHG emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels 13 years ahead of schedule, and reduced per capita water use by 20 percent. The city has 1,390 public electric vehicle charging stations, the most of any US city, while the power mix will reach 56 percent renewable by 2030. Of the plan's 2017 goals, over 90 percent are on track to be completed this year. Overall, the city has created 21,036 green jobs through January 2017, one year ahead of schedule. Some goals are behind schedule, however, including PACE retrofits, total installed solar, and electric shore power for ships at the Port of Los Angeles. (
Link)
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| Apply for a public fleet rebate |
California public fleets in disadvantaged communities can apply for 2017 rebate funding for new, eligible zero-emission and plug-in hybrid light-duty vehicles. The Public Fleet Pilot Project has $3 million available, with rebates up to $15,000 per vehicle. Fleets may reserve rebate funding at any stage in the procurement process up to six months in advance of expected delivery to six months after delivery. Check your ZIP code to determine eligibility; ineligible fleets can still receive standard Clean Vehicle Rebate Project rebates of up to $2,500 per vehicle. (
Link)
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| Sacramento Tree Foundation: Nominate a Tree Hero |
Help the Sacramento Tree Foundation honor the people and projects that make TREEmendous contributions to our community by nominating a Tree Hero! Tree Heroes showcase the tree-healthy behaviors we support and promote. Awardees will be recognized at the Tree Hero Awards Celebration on May 31. There are categories for committed individuals; organizations or corporations; government jurisdictions; and a tree, landscape, or woodland. Deadline: March 25. (
STF)
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| Enterprise Climate & Cultural Resilience Grants |
Enterprise's Climate & Cultural Resilience Grants support organizations seeking to use the tools of creative place-making in the context of a climate resilience project. Projects should identify a climate resilience challenge and propose a plan for building cultural resilience in the process of addressing that challenge. Five grants of $100,000 each will be made to organizations to support the proposed activities. Deadline: April 31. (
Link)
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| Call for Abstracts: Behavior Energy and Climate Change Conference 2017 |
The Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference (BECC) is the premier international conference focused on understanding human behavior and decision making to help accelerate the transition to an energy-efficient and low-carbon future. BECC is seeking new, innovative research and applied work from leaders in behavioral sciences on the adoption of energy efficiency in energy production and use, in the format of oral presentations, lightning talks, panel discussions, and poster presentations. Deadline: April 1. (
BECC)
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| United Nations 2017 Momentum for Change Awards |
Organizations, cities, industries, governments, and other key players that are taking the lead on tackling climate change can nominate their game-changing projects for the United Nations Momentum for Change award. This award will showcase action and ambition on implementing the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. Categories include climate change and health, women's leadership, financial solutions, technology, and climate neutrality. Deadline: April 9. (
UN)
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| U.S. EPA Wetland Program Development Grants |
This grant opportunity assists state, local, and tribal governments in building programs to protect, manage, and restore wetlands. Deadline: April 10, 8.59pm PDT (
Link)
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| SACOG: Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Innovations Grant |
Do you have a solution to encourage people in the Sacramento region to get out of their cars? The TDM Innovations Grant Program will fund new projects and activities that reduce single-occupant vehicle travel and produce measureable results. Examples of eligible projects include parking pricing programs, technology-based solutions, marketing projects and more. SACOG strongly encourages applicants to submit a single-page concept paper during the pre-application period to get feedback before the final application round in May. Concept paper deadline: April 17, 5pm. Final deadline: June 30, 5pm. (
Link)
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| Job opportunity: Executive Director, Alchemist Community Development Corporation |
Alchemist Community Development Corporation is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and dedicated executive director. Alchemist CDC is dedicated to supporting Sacramento area residents in their efforts to create vibrant, equitable, healthy, and diverse communities. Deadline: April 17. (
Link)
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| 2016-2017 CAL FIRE Landscape-Scale Forest Health Grant Program |
Funded by cap and trade revenues, the 2016-2017 CAL FIRE Forest Health Grant Program will support projects that proactively restore forest health to reduce GHG emissions. Projects must focus on large, landscape-scale forests and may include reforestation, fuel reduction, pest management, conservation, biomass utilization, carbon storage, wildfire emissions reduction, and watershed protection activities. Deadline for concept proposals: April 17. (
CAL FIRE)
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| USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program |
The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service seeks to co-invest with partners in innovative, workable, and cost-effective approaches to benefit farming, ranching, and forest operations, local economies, and the communities and resources in a watershed or other geographic area. Deadline: April 21. (
Link)
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| USDA: Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) |
The USDA is offering up to $15 million in technical and financial assistance to help protect, restore, and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands. Through WREP, states, local governments, non-profits, and tribes will work with landowners to enroll eligible land into easements and adopt a variety of conservation measures. Deadline: April 24. (
USDA)
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| California Natural Resources Agency: Urban Greening Grant |
The Urban Greening Program has $76 million to fund projects that reduce GHG emissions by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption, and reducing vehicle miles traveled, while also transforming the built environment into places that are more sustainable, enjoyable, and effective in creating healthy and vibrant communities. Deadline: May 1, 5pm. (
Link)
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| PG&E: Better Together Resilient Communities Grant Program |
PG&E is launching a new grant program that will award $1 million over five years to support local climate resilience initiatives. For the first year, PG&E will award two grants of $100,000 each for projects that will build healthy and resilient forests and watersheds to help communities plan and prepare for increasing wildfire risk. Applicants must include a local government within PG&E's Northern and Central California service area as a partner. Deadline: May 12. (
PG&E)
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| World Water Day Webinar, Water Justice Leadership Training, and Conference
March 22-25
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The Environmental Justice Coalition for Water (EJCW) is hosting a World Water Day webinar on March 24 from noon to 1pm on best practices in engaging environmental justice communities. In addition, EJCW will host a day-long
Water Justice Leadership Training in Sacramento on Saturday, March 25. (
EJCW)
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| Webinar: Communicating about Clean Energy and Climate Change Solutions
Thursday, March 23, 9-10.15am
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Struggling to reach and motivate stakeholders to engage in outreach events? Participants in this webinar will learn about best practices that can be incorporated into communication and engagement strategies. This EPA and Antioch University webinar will cover a summary of public opinion on climate and energy issues; tips on developing values-based framing; examples of community engagement approaches; and common communication challenges and how to overcome them using translated and applied social science research. (
Register)
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| First Public Meeting of the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program's Technical Advisory Council
Monday, March 27, 10.30am-3.30pm
California Energy Commission, Hearing Room A, 1516 9th Street, Sacramento
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The Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) is announcing the establishment of the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program's Technical Advisory Council (TAC), comprised of 17 public members and five state agency representatives. Established through Senate Bill 246 (Wieckowski, 2015), the TAC brings together local governments, practitioners, scientists and community leaders to help coordinate activities to better prepare California for climate change. The TAC supports OPR in its goal to facilitate coordination among state, regional, and local adaptation and resiliency efforts, with a focus on opportunities to support local implementation actions. The first quarterly meeting will be focused on an overview and future work plan. To read more about the ICARP,
see this article by Senator Wieckowski. (
Link)
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| California-Nevada Drought Early Warning System March 2017 Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar
Monday, March 27, 11am PDT
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Drought conditions have reduced greatly in California-Nevada, but the winter storms have also brought new challenges. This webinar from NOAA's National Integrated Drought Information System and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography's California-Nevada Climate Applications Program will discuss the climate and drought outlook as well as the current status including a look at water resources and vegetation. (
Register)
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| Air Resources Board Public Workshop: 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update
Tuesday, March 28, 10am-3pm
Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento
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The California Air Resources Board is hosting a public workshop to present the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan Update and solicit stakeholder input. Staff will present an overview of the Proposed Plan and present refinements to the plan, including updates to emissions modeling and economic analyses. (
ARB)
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| Sierra CAMP: E-Listening Session with the California Air Resources Board
Tuesday, March 28, 2.30-4.30pm
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The Sierra Climate Adaptation & Mitigation Partnership (Sierra CAMP) has secured a public e-listening session with the California Air Resources Board and its Environmental Justice Advisory Committee, which does not have a representative from a Sierra community. This is an important chance to share the realities, concerns and opportunities of disadvantaged communities in the Sierra Nevada - communities that go unrecognized by the state's tool for measuring disadvantaged communities, CalEnviroScreen. (
Register)
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| ARCCA Learning Session: SB 379 Implementation
Wednesday, March 29, 10-11am
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ARCCA's first Learning Session of 2017 will focus on the requirements and timeline for SB 379 implementation, which requires that cities and counties address climate adaptation in the safety element of their general plan or their local hazard mitigation plan. Panelists will also present replicable strategies and good practices from Four Twenty Seven's work with six cities in Alameda County. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about additional resources available to support their efforts. (
Register)
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| Webinar: Mental health and our changing climate
Wednesday, March 29, noon-1pm PST
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ecoAmerica and the American Psychological Association will present their latest report, Mental Health and Our Changing Climate, which chronicles the impacts of climate change on Americans' health and psychological well-being, including increases in stress and anxiety, loss of community identity, heightened aggression and violence, and many others. Participants will be able to access case studies, get tips on helping individuals and communities to prepare for and recover from climate-related mental trauma, and learn how individuals and health professionals can protect against impacts and support climate solutions. (
Register)
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| ARB Research Seminar: Developing a New Methodology for Analyzing Potential Displacement
Wednesday, March 29, 1pm
Sierra Hearing Room, Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento
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While the development of transit-oriented communities may bring environmental and economic benefits, it may also increase housing costs and change neighborhood conditions, compelling the displacement of low-income residents. At this seminar, researchers will present on the relationship between fixed-rail transit neighborhoods and displacement in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, and the effectiveness of anti-displacement strategies. The results support the consideration of displacement in the development of Sustainable Community Strategies as required by SB 375. (
ARB)
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| Webinar: Georgetown Climate Center launches its Adaptation Equity Portal
Thursday, March 30, 12.30pm PDT
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The Georgetown Climate Center (GCC) is launching its Adaptation Equity Portal, a database of climate adaptation resources that provides case studies, tools, and guidelines for integrating climate policy with environmental and social justice goals. This webinar will feature examples of current efforts to integrate equity into adaptation planning and a demonstration of the Adaptation Equity Portal. It will also include a discussion with the GCC's equity advisory group who informed the development of the portal and recent equity report, and who are implementing equitable adaptation strategies in their own work and communities. (
Register)
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Cleaner Air Partnership: Will Business Lead on Climate Action?
Friday, March 31, 11.30am-1.30pm
Hearing Room B, California Energy Commission, 1516 9th Street, Sacramento
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Over the past several years, California's economy has demonstrated that environmental stewardship and economic growth can go hand in hand. The state's climate action policies provide a market signal to innovative businesses and entrepreneurs that fuels investment in an emerging clean energy economy. Many of these policies and investments have important co-benefits of improving our region's air quality and increasing community resilience. Join us to hear from business leaders in our region about why taking action is important to our region's businesses, economy and the livability of our communities. (
Register)
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| Public Health Research Roadmap on Emerging Electricity Generating Systems
Tuesday, April 11, 10am-noon
Hearing Room B, California Energy Commission, 1516 9th Street, Sacramento
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The Public Health Institute is developing for the California Energy Commission a Public Health Research Roadmap to prioritize research needs on the health impacts of emerging electricity-generating systems, focusing on renewable resources as well as energy storage and transmission technologies. The roadmap will highlight gaps in current knowledge on exposure, hazards, and impacts. The workshop will present their findings to date and seek feedback from stakeholders. The event will also be
webcast. (Contact:
laura.buckley@phi.org)
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| SACOG Infill & Redevelopment Workshop
Thursday, April 13, 9am-4pm
SACOG, 1415 L Street, #300
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Organized by SACOG and Portland State University, this workshop will present best practices for improving centers and corridors in rural and urban communities in order to create more walkable, livable, and resilient places, and meet the goals of the Sacramento Regional Blueprint and the Sustainable Communities Strategy. Cost $15. RSVP required - contact Judy Walton (503-725-5839,
judywalton@pdx.edu).
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Registration Open for Business of Local Energy Symposium
Friday, May 5, Hyatt Regency Long Beach
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Join government, business, and community leaders from across the state to accelerate California's shift to a clean energy economy. Don't miss this opportunity to network, exchange ideas about Community Choice Energy programs, and learn about energy policy, regulations, markets, and technology. Use CRC's discount code BLE17CRC to receive a 10% discount off registration! (
Learn more or
register)
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About the Capital Region Climate
Readiness
Collaborative
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The Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative is a membership based collaborative network designed to promote greater climate change resilience planning coordination in the six-county Sacramento Region. The purpose of this collaborative network is to create a forum where leaders from government, academia, environmental and community groups, the business community, and labor can come together to exchange information, identify vulnerabilities and data gaps, leverage resources, and advance comprehensive solutions in an effort to create stronger, sustainable, and economically viable communities in the Capital Region.
The CRC is a program of the Local Government Commission.
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