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Climate Mitigation and Adaptation News
June 1, 2017
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A biweekly newsletter of the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative
We hope that you'll take a moment to provide feedback on the 2017 update of
Safeguarding California, a programmatic survey across state government of what California is doing to respond to climate change, what needs to be done, and how we will achieve those goals. Sierra CAMP and the Natural Resources Agency will host a workshop on
Safeguarding California
in Auburn on June 14, from 1.30 to 5pm. This will be an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of the upstream-downstream, urban-rural, mountain-valley dynamic to the resilience of the entire state, as the health of the Sierra Nevada's forests, meadows, and snowpack are crucial to the Capital Region's water resources, clean air, economy, and recreation.
We'd also like to invite you to join us for
a special tour of ArchNexus on July 20. An innovative design firm, Arch-Nexus built their
new Sacramento office in accordance with the
Living Building Challenge, a building certification program, advocacy tool and philosophy that defines the most advanced measure of sustainability in the built environment possible today.
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| Climate change reducing clarity of Lake Tahoe's famously translucent waters |
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| Photo: Sarah Heise/KCRA |
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Climate change is causing Lake Tahoe to warm earlier in the spring, disrupting the normal mixing of shallow and deep water and decreasing water clarity. In 1968, water visibility extended to a depth of 102 ft., compared to 69 ft. today. The lake reached its murkiest in 1997, but since then federal, state, and local efforts have helped to boost clarity by reducing the flow of pollutants into the lake and restoring shoreline marshes. However, climate change is starting to reverse these gains, as warmer water reduces lake mixing and increases algal growth. (
KCRA)
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Urban heat island could double city costs for climate change
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Photo: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
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The
urban heat island (UHI) effect will more than double cities' costs for tackling global warming this century by driving up energy demand, reducing worker productivity, and aggravating air and water pollution, scientists said. If GHG emissions continue to rise, some of the world's cities may be as much as 8C (14.4F) warmer by 2100. Nearly 5C of the total temperature increase would be attributed to global warming, but the rest would be due to the urban heat island effect. "Ignoring the urban heat island effect leads to a fairly drastic under-estimate of the total impact of climate change." The median city stands to lose between 1.4% and 1.7% of GDP per year by 2050 and between 2.3% and 5.6% by 2100. (
Guardian)
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California's native trout, salmon, and steelhead face extinction within 50 years
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Forty-five percent of California's native salmon, steelhead and trout species - including the Sacramento River winter-run chinook - face extinction within 50 years, and nearly three-quarters will be wiped out in a century without intervention, warned a new report from CalTrout and UC Davis. Climate change is the chief culprit, warming water temperatures and reducing streamflows and water availability, but other anthropogenic threats also compound the damage. The report recommends protecting the healthiest, fully functioning river systems, such as Butte Creek and the Eel River; protecting and restoring source waters, meadows, and springs; and improving habitat connectivity. (
Link)
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| US coral reefs are on course to disappear within decades |
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| Photo: Keisha Bahr |
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A global coral bleaching event has shifted between the northern and southern hemispheres since 2014, affecting around 70% of the world's reefs, including some of the US's most protected reefs. The "terminal" condition of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, which suffered bleaching along two-thirds of its 1,400-mile length, has provoked the greatest alarm. But scientists warn that America's main reefs, found in Hawaii, Florida, Guam, and Puerto Rico, are on course to largely disappear within just a few decades. Coral reefs are found in less than 1% of the world's oceans but support around a quarter of all marine species. Reefs also act as a crucial buffer from storms and provide food and livelihoods for millions of people. The global reef tourism industry is worth around $36bn. (
Guardian)
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| Global seed vault designed to protect us from disasters flooded by climate change |
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Photo: John Mcconnico/AP |
It was designed as an impregnable deep-freeze to protect the world's most precious seeds from global disaster and ensure humanity's food supply forever. But the Global Seed Vault, buried in a mountain on the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, deep inside the Arctic Circle, has been breached after an extraordinarily warm winter sent meltwater gushing into the entrance tunnel. The vault contains almost a million packets of seeds, each a variety of an important food crop. When it was opened in 2008, the deep permafrost through which the vault was sunk was expected to provide "failsafe" protection against "the challenge of natural or man-made disasters". But soaring temperatures in the Arctic in the winter of the world's hottest-ever year led to melting and heavy rain. The breach questions the vault's ability to survive as a lifeline for humanity if catastrophe strikes. (
Guardian)
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Highlighting Local Solutions
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Sacramento launches free, zero-emissions car share program for low-income residents
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Some 2,000 residents of three Sacramento public housing complexes will have free access to eight all-electric Kia Souls as part of OurCommunity CarShare, a pilot clean vehicle-sharing program serving disadvantaged communities. The housing complexes of Lemon Hill, Alder Grove, and Edge Water will host two vehicles each, with two more at Sacramento Valley Station. Funded by a $1.3 million cap-and-trade grant from the California Air Resources Board, the program was launched by the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District and is the first zero-emissions vehicle sharing program in California. (
Link)
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Moving California: Tool and resource for clean transportation opportunities
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Just launched by the Air Resources Board,
Moving California is an easy-to-use website that helps residents, businesses, and local governments find funding and transportation opportunities that meet their needs. The website has guides, factsheets, events; highlights innovative programs; and showcases how cap-and-trade proceeds are funding ultra-clean and zero-emission transportation projects, including 115,000 zero-emission and plug-in cars; 950 zero-emission delivery, utility and refuse trucks; and 407 zero-emission transit buses. (
Link)
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Life-cycle assessment and co-benefits of cool pavements
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While high-albedo "cool" pavements can mitigate urban heat islands, improve air quality, and reduce GHG emissions from building energy use, not all pavements are made equally. It's important to consider the environmental impact of pavement materials and construction across its full lifecycle. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab developed a pavement lifecycle assessment for California cities and translated it into a dynamic decision support tool. Local officials can use this tool to evaluate the lifecycle environmental impacts of both conventional and cool pavements. Users can compare paving materials based on their contributions to GHG emissions, smog, particulate matter, and energy demand. (
ARB)
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| CivicSpark now recruiting project partners for 2017-2018 program year |
Over the past two years, the Local Government Commission's Governor's Initiative AmeriCorps CivicSpark program has provided 130,000+ hours of support to over 100 public agencies, while implementing 80 projects in climate change and water policy. In Sacramento, CivicSpark fellows have been working to increase food waste recycling and reduce its associated GHG emissions and support low-income home weatherization, among other activities. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. (
Link)
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| Cap and trade funding for agricultural land preservation |
Applications are now open for the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program to protect agricultural land and reduce GHG emissions. Last year, the SALC awarded over $37 million to 20 projects, protecting over 19,000 acres. Interested organizations are encouraged to submit a pre-proposal by June 1 to receive technical assistance. Interested landowners should contact
a land trust in their area to begin the application process. Deadline: August 1. (
Link)
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| Transportation for America: Cultural Corridor Consortium grant |
Is your city working to engage residents and spark creative transportation projects? If so, consider applying for Transportation for America's Cultural Corridor Consortium grants, which will award $50,000 each to three cities working to integrate creative placemaking with transit investments. Creative placemaking harnesses the power of local culture and arts to cultivate genuine public engagement on critical transportation projects, leading to both a better process and better projects. The program is particularly focused on funding collaborative projects that expand transportation opportunities and local control for low-income people, recent immigrants, and people of color living in communities that have experienced disproportionate disinvestment and disconnection. Deadline: Friday, June 2, at 5pm EDT. (Link)
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| Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Immediate Needs Funding for 2016-2017 Winter Storms |
As the result of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds plans and projects that reduce the effects of future natural disasters. This opportunity is for well-developed, shovel-ready projects that implement a stand-alone, long-term risk reduction solution to flooding or erosion problems in counties affected by FEMA's disaster declarations for the 2016-2017 winter storms. Deadline: June 15. (CalOES)
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| Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program 2016-2017 Grant Cycle |
This program will award funding for projects that mitigate the environmental effects of transportation facilities (such as roads, stations, ports, airports, and transit). Eligible project types include urban forestry projects designed to offset vehicle greenhouse gas emissions. A grant workshop will be held in Sacramento on May 11. Deadline: 5pm, June 21. (
CNRA)
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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. Deadline: June 30, 5pm. (Link)
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| North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant Program |
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grants increase bird populations and wetland habitat, while supporting local economies and traditions such as hunting, fishing, birdwatching, family farming, and cattle ranching. Wetlands protected by NAWCA provide valuable benefits such as flood control, reducing coastal erosion, improving water and air quality, and recharging ground water. Deadline: July 14. (
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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| Native Voices & Earth Justice
Sunday, June 4, 1-4pm
2425 Sierra Blvd, Sacramento
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The Interfaith Earth Justice program of the Unitarian-Universalist Society of Sacramento is hosting its inaugural program. Building on the Dakota Access Pipeline organizing, the indigenous people's environmental movement is working to bring attention to the impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure on Native communities. The event will also discuss removing fossil fuel investment from both large funds like CalPERS/STRS and personal savings. (
Link)
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| Disaster Planning for the Whole Community
Thursday, June 8
Doubletree by Hilton Sacramento, 2001 Point W Way, Sacramento
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This conference on inclusive emergency planning and post-disaster relief will help you forge partnerships for future disaster planning by learning about disability rights, emergency management responsibilities, and promising practices. Speakers will come from the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, FEMA, the Pacific ADA Center, the Red Cross, disability rights stakeholders, and survivors and responders from the Butte/Valley Fires. (
Register)
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| Smart Growth America: The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2016
Thursday, June 8, 9-10am PDT
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Join Smart Growth America for a kick-off celebration of "The Best Complete Streets Policies of 2016," an interactive conversation on streets that are safe and convenient for everyone. Participants will hear from the community with the top-scoring Complete Streets policy of 2016 about the design and implementation of their policy. We'll also hear from some of the most diverse communities about how a Complete Streets policy is working for them. (
Register)
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| Yolo Climate Compact: Climate Action Planning in Yolo County
Friday, June 9, 9-11am
Yolo County Office Building, 600 A Street, Davis
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Many Yolo County jurisdictions have taken leadership on climate change by developing and implementing climate action plans (CAPs). This meeting will bring together all of these efforts and highlight progress made, problems encountered, and new directions taken since the CAPs were initially adopted. Speakers will come from Yolo County, the cities of Woodland and Davis, and more.
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| Central Valley Flood Protection Plan - Board workshop for the 2017 draft update
Friday, June 9, 10am-2pm PDT
Dept. of Environmental Services, 3500 Industrial Blvd, Rm 119, West Sacramento
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As mandated by the Central Valley Flood Protection Act of 2008, the Department of Water Resources prepared the
Central Valley Flood Protection Plan (CVFPP) to provide a comprehensive framework for system-wide management and flood risk reduction planning for the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins. The 2017 update refines the overall near- and long-term investment needs established in the CVFPP, and includes recommendations on policies and financing that aim to support comprehensive flood-risk management actions locally, regionally, and system-wide. (
Link)
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| Sierra CAMP Webinar - California Climate Policy: Past, Present, and Future
Monday, June 12, 11am-12.30pm
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California climate change policies are critical to Sierra communities and to the entire state. Unfortunately, cap-and-trade and many other aspects of California's climate policy have been challenged by questions of legality, federal (in)action, and other issues. What is the current status of these policies and what are the implications for our communities? In this webinar, we'll first give you the basics of California climate policy, the latest agency efforts, and the bills on the 2017 legislative table. Then we'll explore the implications for Sierra communities. (
Register)
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| Sierra Nevada Safeguarding California 2017 Update Workshop
Wednesday, June 14, 1.30-5pm
Community Development Resource Center, 3091 County Center Drive, Auburn
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Built on nearly a decade of climate adaptation strategies, the Safeguarding California Plan 2017 Update is intended to communicate a clear accounting of current and needed actions from the state government to build climate change resiliency. The public is invited to provide input through public workshops or via email at
climate@resources.ca.gov. (
Link)
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| 2016-17 Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program Technical Workshop
Thursday, June 15, 1-2.30pm
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Funded by cap and trade proceeds, the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) program helps to protect at-risk agricultural lands from conversion to more GHG-intensive uses. SALC funds the development of land use strategies and policies, as well as the permanent protection of farm and ranch lands via agricultural easements. Goals include promoting growth within existing jurisdictions, protecting open space, and supporting a healthy agricultural economy and food security. This webinar will discuss funding eligibility, successful applications, and technical assistance. Please RSVP at
cfcp@conservation.ca.gov for log-in. (
SGC)
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CapSciComm #SpiceUpSci Workshop
Saturday, June 17, 10am - 3pm
Sudwerk Brewing Company, 2001 2nd Street, Davis
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Capital Science Communicators is launching a new professional development series, the CapSciComm #SpiceUpSci Workshop. The series is primarily tailored for science professionals and students who need public engagement practice. An emphasis is made on the "science café" format of public outreach, and workshop graduates will be encouraged to pitch their skills as speakers to science café series in the Sacramento region. However, the skills learned will be readily transferable to professional presentations, everyday conversation, and other venues for explaining science to audiences in or outside of your technical field. Workshop participants will enhance their science communication skills in a dynamic, engaging, and participatory setting, meet a community of fellow scientists who are interested in public education, and learn about opportunities to connect with the community. Registration ends Friday, June 16th.
Link
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| Workshop: Low-Cost, High-Reward Marketing
Wednesday, June 21, noon-1.30pm
SACOG Board Room, 1415 L St. Suite 300, Sacramento
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Have you tried to implement a marketing campaign but had limited resources or a small budget? This highly interactive workshop with experts from Alameda County, UC Davis, and SACOG will teach you about free and low-cost tools to promote your campaigns, identifying champions, where and how to best deliver key messages, and much more! This event, coordinated by SACOG and ACT, is free, and lunch is provided.
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| Webinar: Creating a Carbon Fund
Wednesday, June 21, 3.30-4.30pm PDT
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Municipalities and other organizations often have difficulty funding climate action efforts to meet goals and comply with regulation. A consistent and sustainable funding mechanism is required. EcoShift Consulting has experience with a number of different carbon funds model development and implementation. The webinar will focus on different revenue models, how to set up a carbon fund, and the operational experience, successes and challenges of various approaches from funds designed and/or implemented within the past 3 years. (
Register)
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| Arch Nexus Tour
July 20, 12.00-1.00pm
930 R Street, Sacramento, CA
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Arch Nexus is currently pursuing the Living Building challenge, a rigorous green building certification program and sustainable design framework. Their office incorporates a number of sustainable design features, such as a cutting edge composting system, on site agriculture, on site water filtration and treatment, and energy independence through highly efficient electrical systems and a solar PV array. (
RSVP)
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| 2017 Sierra Water Workgroup Summit: Legal and Legislative Strategies to Protecting Our Headwaters
July 24-25, Kings Beach, CA
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Across California, diverse groups have been coming together to create model Integrated Regional Water Management Plans (IRWMPs) to ensure reliable water supply, protect water quality, and restore watersheds. The summit will focus on how headwaters issues can be addressed with legislative and policy strategies; breakouts will consider tribal and under-served communities, climate change, advocacy, and other areas. (
Register)
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| 2nd Annual North American Dialogue: 100% Renewable Energy in Cities
July 31-August 1
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO
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GRID Alternatives is partnering with NREL, Sierra Club and others to host a 2-day dialogue on how cities across North America are approaching a transition to 100% renewable energy. The event will bring together public officials and city staff from across the country for a facilitated dialogue on what it means for cities to transition to 100% renewable energy. Participants will learn from a range of disciplines and sectors of urban energy planning, share best practices and opportunities for economic development and social benefits with their peers, and discuss a range of resources and tools available to help them reach their goals. (
RSVP)
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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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