Climate Mitigation and Adaptation News September 19, 2019

A biweekly newsletter of the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative

We would like to welcome the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative’s newest member and first water agency: Yuba Water Agency ! The Yuba Water Agency (YWA) is committed to the sustainable management of water resources for flood risk reduction and reliable water supply, enabled through power generation, in support of the environment and quality of life.  As this is the week of climate action kicking off with the Global Climate Strike on September 20, our newsletter is focusing on positive climate solutions that can help us create a resilient, climate just future. We also encourage you to join our member 350 Sacramento’s upcoming climate events to lend your voice in support of immediate climate action! Reminder: CRC and ecoAmerica will be hosting a webinar on effective climate communication on September 26th. Register today !

News

Covering Climate Now: A new beginning to climate journalism

In April, the Columbia Journalism Review, The Nation, and lead media partner Guardian launched Covering Climate Now, a project aimed at encouraging news organizations to raise their game when it comes to climate coverage. Today more than 250 newsrooms representing 32 countries – with a combined monthly reach of more than a billion people – have signed on to the initiative. This week, ahead of the UN climate summit on 23 September, partners have pledged to devote their coverage to climate change in the first large-scale collaboration of the partnership. Find all Cover Climate Now coverage here .

The University of California declares a climate emergency

The University of California has joined forces with more than 7,000 colleges and universities around the globe to declare a climate emergency and commit to urgent action to address the crisis. In signing the declaration, UC leaders agreed to a three-point plan that includes increasing action-oriented climate research; expanding education and outreach on environmental and sustainability issues; and achieving climate neutrality, a goal UC expects to achieve by 2025, five years ahead of the declaration’s pledge. UC’s $13.4 billion endowment will be “fossil free” by the end of September, as will its $70 billion pension. ( UC) Photo: Intothewoods7/CC BY-SA 4.0

It’s 2053 and we saved the planet: How will we look back at the time before we abandoned fossil fuels?

When you walk inside an exhibit currently on display in Lund, Sweden, you’re asked to imagine that the year is 2053. Three years earlier, the world reached a goal of net-zero emissions. And you’re standing inside a new museum looking back at the end of what the exhibit calls the “fossil age.” “It’s making the familiar, unfamiliar,” says Johannes Stripple, a political science professor at Lund University who coordinated the exhibit, called Carbon Ruins. If the vision of climate futures is often apocalyptic—picture the floating communities in Waterworld or the shortage of drinking water in Mad Max: Fury Road—Carbon Ruins takes a different approach. “What I wanted to do was to have people to assume a point in time when the transition is done, when we’re through it, and when we’re looking back at how that came to be.” ( Fast Company )

Cooling goo sidewalks and other strange new weapons in the war on urban heat

Los Angeles faces a doubling of extreme heat days but has fresh ideas to keep residents cool – and tackle the inequality of who suffers. The city’s climate adaptation plan includes a goal of increasing cool surfaces by 10% by 2025, and 30% by 2045. Research from the Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative found that infusing cooling measures in the built environment, from tree canopy to cool roofs to reflective streets, could reduce heat-related deaths in the city by 25%. Permeable pavement, bioswales and dry wells can make the city better adapted to arid periods, and make flood-prone neighborhoods more resilient to superstorms. ( Guardian ) Photo: MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images/John McCoy

The street-by-street battle against climate change

Community groups such as UPROSE are organizing a Brooklyn neighborhood “block-by-block” to build climate adaptation and resiliency through a hyperlocal, grassroots strategy. Block captains speak to neighbors (and landlords) about painting rooftops white, building a stormwater collection system, and testing backyard soil for suitability for starting small urban farms. Its result is an approach to climate adaptation that encourages participation by residents and draws on their knowledge and strengths: construction, growing food, reusing and repurposing—skills that are abundant among the residents of Sunset Park. Over time, these community-wide discussions have also prompted bigger projects that benefit the entire neighborhood, such as New York City’s first community-owned solar cooperative. ( The Nation )

Invest in climate adaptation now for $7.1 trillion in net benefits

Investing $1.8 trillion globally in climate change adaptation could result in $7.1 trillion in net benefits through avoided damages, increased innovation and economic growth, and social and environmental benefits, according to a new report from the Global Commission on Adaptation. " We are the last generation that can change the course of climate change, and we are the first generation that then has to live with the consequences," former UN chief and commission chair Ban Ki-moon said at the report's launch in Beijing. "Delay and pay, or plan and prosper.” Just 24 hours’ warning of a coming storm or heatwave can cut damage by 30%, saving lives and protecting assets worth at least 10 times the cost of the alert system. Without investing in climate adaptation, 100 million more people will fall into poverty and 5 billion people will face water shortages by 2030, with an “irrefutable toll on human life”, the report warns. ( GCAC )

How Copenhagen plans to reach carbon-neutral status in just six years

If you miss the metro in Copenhagen during rush hour, you won’t wait long for the next train: the automated system is designed to run every two minutes. It’s one way for the city to convince residents not to drive a car, and as the metro system expands, one small piece of the city’s ambitious plan to cut emissions. Six years ago, Copenhagen set the goal to become the first carbon-neutral capital in the world. “This is the best way forward, because it creates better space, cleaner air, less noise, and a healthier city.” ( Fast Company ) Photo: Terry Mclaughlin/Copenhagen Media Center]

Valley Clean Energy tops renewable goals – delivers cleaner energy at no extra cost

Valley Clean Energy (VCE), Yolo County’s community choice energy supplier, reports that it delivered even cleaner and greener energy to its customers than projected at last year’s launch. In 2018, VCE’s Standard Green electricity portfolio included 48 percent renewable energy and was 85 percent carbon-free, exceeding its original goals of 42 percent renewable energy and 75 percent carbon-free electricity. ( Davis Vanguard )

Hawaiian officials have taken a concrete step to fight climate change

Hawaii plans to lock planet-warming carbon dioxide up in the concrete used for road construction. The Hawaii Department of Transportation will use carbon-injected concrete from now on when it constructs concrete projects, allowing them to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete. ( Reuters )

Seaweed farming could help store carbon, fight ocean acidification

Seaweed aquaculture could indeed be a powerful new way to sequester carbon, with additional benefits such as reducing ocean acidification and oxygen depletion. The process would involve cultivating seaweed and harvesting it for the purpose of sinking the algae in the deeper ocean, where the carbon stored in its tissues would remain buried. California is particularly well-primed to reap the mitigating benefits of seaweed aquaculture, given the state’s strong climate action policy and its long, nutrient-rich coast. ( Futurity ) Photo: Getty Images

These self-cooled buildings were inspired by termites and frogs

Faced with sweltering heat waves and soaring AC costs, engineers and architects are finding creative ways to maintain livable temperatures indoors while using less energy. Their muse: plants, animals, and insects. Here are examples of how biomimicry helps buildings stay cool naturally through imitating termite mounds, cacti, frogs, beetles, and more. ( Grist )

Podcast: What can we do, right now, about climate change?

A series of extreme weather events in 2018 again highlighted the urgency of making the social and political changes needed to keep the increase in global warming to a maximum of 1.5C (2.7F). In September, the UN will convene a dedicated climate summit where agreement will be sought for ambitious and far-reaching policies. On this podcast, the Guardian’s global environment editor, Jonathan Watts, discusses the extent of the political change required if the world has any chance at all of keeping within the 1.5C upper limit on warming. He also explores some of the most effective ways individuals can join the battle against global warming: a vital, existential issue often drowned out by other news events. ( Guardian )

Tools & Resources

Health & Climate Solutions Website and Resources

The George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication launched the "Health & Climate Solutions" website to provide resources and show how communities across America are developing innovative ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change while improving public health and advancing health equity. ( GMU )

New England Journal of Medicine: Climate Crisis and Health

The New England Journal of Medicine launched a new topic webpage, “Climate Crisis and Health.” The page collects together current and recent research, review articles, and opinion pieces on the health effects of climate change, including an interactive perspective on the impacts climate change has on health and care delivery, as well as resources to support action by physicians and other health care professionals. ( NEJM )

Clean Energy for Low-Income Communities (CELICA) Toolkit

Low-income households spend about 8% of their income on energy costs, three times more than average. This toolkit provides an overview of tools, resources, and models for developing low-income energy efficiency and renewable energy programs. The toolkit includes a guide to program development and replicable program models for single-family and multifamily housing, as well as community solar. ( Link )

Residential Energy Efficiency for Local Governments

This resource guide will help local governments develop and implement policies and programs for improving the energy efficiency of single-family and multifamily homes. It highlights replicable programs demonstrated across the country, and provides resources, including analytical tools and model programs for a wide range of communities and demographic regions. ( Link )

Upcoming Opportunities

Federal government releases $7 billion to build climate resilience

The money — $7.65 billion in total — aims to make disaster-damaged communities more resilient by paying for reconstruction projects that will withstand increasingly severe storms, hurricanes and other effects of climate change. The funding differs from most federal disaster aid because instead of simply repairing or rebuilding damaged buildings and facilities, communities must spend the recovery money on mitigation projects that "increase resilience to disasters.” California will receive $88 million and has until April 6, 2020, to submit projects. ( Federal Register )

Local Jurisdictions Adaptation and Resiliency Planning: SB 379

The Governor's Office of Planning and Research is conducting a mini-survey to learn about local adaptation and resiliency efforts. The results of this survey will help our office understand how local jurisdictions are meeting SB 379, as well as their obstacles, questions, and innovative strategies. SB 379 requires every local government in California to incorporate climate into the Safety Element of their General Plan, or by reference in other plans. ( SurveyMonkey )

Eco-Adapt Health and Climate Change Survey

EcoAdapt is assessing the state of climate adaptation planning and implementation for climate-related threats to health. This survey aims to assess the needs of health professionals working to prepare for and respond to multiple stresses, including climate change. The survey intends to assess understanding of climate change impacts among health professionals, and identify activities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related challenges. ( Survey )

Climate Stewards Initiative Needs Initiative Survey

The University of California – California Naturalist Program Climate Stewards Initiative is developing a new certification course launching in 2021. This course will certify adults as UC Climate Stewards. The vision is to prepare Climate Stewards to communicate and engage in local, collective activities to advance community and ecosystem resilience in a changing climate. To ensure a robust and meaningful course, the UC Climate Stewards Initiative is conducting a needs assessment to inform curriculum creation. ( UCANR )

Cal-Adapt User Survey

Cal-Adapt wants to hear from you! The Cal-Adapt team continually strives to make its climate data visualizations, interpretation, and download tools more useful. This survey will expand the team's understanding of who uses Cal-Adapt and why, to expand the tools available, build a seamless user experience, and support climate adaptation across California. Please fill out a survey to let us know what tools would help you understand climate change. ( Cal-Adapt )

Strategic Growth Council: Round 5 AHSC Grant Guidelines for public comment

Draft program guidelines for Round 5 of the Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program is now open for public review and comment. A Draft Narrative Scoring Rubric, Draft Community Engagement Tracker, and Draft Climate Adaptation Assessment Matrix are also available for review. Please review the summary memo for additional details, a summary of changes, and instructions. Deadline: Sept. 30. ( SGC )

California Air Resources Board: Community Air Grant

This grant program will support community-based organizations to work actively with local governments to identify, evaluate, and reduce air pollution and exposure to harmful emissions in their communities. The program will help support AB 617, which established a community-based framework to improve air quality and reduce exposure to toxic air pollutants in California communities most impacted by air pollution. Deadline: Sept. 30. ( CARB )

Local Foods, Local Places 2019-2020 Grant

Local Foods, Local Places helps communities revitalize neighborhoods through development of local food systems. The program aims to support projects that create livable, walkable, economically vibrant main streets and mixed-use neighborhoods; boost economic opportunities for local farmers and main street businesses; and improve access to healthy, local food, especially among disadvantaged populations. The program will provide communities planning assistance that centers around a two-day community workshop. Communities with projects in federal Opportunity Zones will receive special consideration. Deadline: 5pm ET, September 30. ( EPA )

RFP: Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Data Collection

SACOG released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Data Collection project. The RFP invites solutions for how our region will collect biking and walking counts. Deadline: October 10. ( SACOG )

Recreational Trails and Greenways Grant Program

All projects must provide non-motorized recreational infrastructure development and enhancements that promote new or alternate access to parks, waterways, outdoor recreational pursuits, and forested or other natural environments to encourage health-related active transportation and opportunities for people to reconnect with nature. Deadline: Oct 11. ( CNRA )

Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants

Projects should benefit the multimodal transportation system and achieve other community benefits such as improving equity, public health, and the environment. Deadline: Oct. 11. ( Link )

Urban Flood Protection Program Draft Guidelines

The California Natural Resources Agency is releasing for public comment its draft guidelines for the Urban Flood Protection grant program. This program will fund multi-benefit projects in urbanized areas to address flooding. The program will emphasize and give priority to projects that serve severely disadvantaged communities. A public hearing will be held in Sacramento on October 2. Deadline: October 14. ( CNRA )

WaterSMART Drough Response Program: Drought Resiliency Projects

This grant invites states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with water or power delivery authority to leverage their money and resources by cost sharing with the Bureau of Reclamation on Drought Resiliency Projects that will increase the reliability of water supplies; improve water management; and provide benefits for fish, wildlife, and the environment to mitigate impacts caused by drought. Deadline for FY 2020 funding: October 16. ( Grants.gov )

CARB: Grant Solicitation for the Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project

The California Air Resources Board has released a competitive grant solicitation for one or more grantees to implement the Clean Mobility in Schools Pilot Project for Fiscal Year 2018-19. Theis grant offers school communities an opportunity to showcase their ability to create meaningful spaces that inspire future generations, realize impactful air quality improvements, and develop real solutions to the climate crisis. Deadline: Oct. 21. ( CARB )

National Institutes of Health Funding Opportunity - Environmental Influences on Aging: Effects of Extreme Weather & Disaster Events on Aging Populations

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) aims to advance our understanding of the impact of extreme weather and disaster events on aging human populations. Together with companion FOA ( PAR- 19-249 ) that focuses on underlying mechanisms of aging utilizing animal models, these two FOAs will help to explicate the behavioral, biological, and socioecological processes that occur during extreme weather or disaster events and that affect aging processes. The goal is to improve the health and well-being of older adults via increased knowledge about extreme weather and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Deadline: Nov. 4. ( NIH )

Western SARE: Grants to advance innovations in sustainable agriculture

The Professional Development Program Grant focuses on training agricultural professionals to help them spread knowledge about sustainable agriculture concepts and practices. Other grants help full-time graduate students, farmers, ranchers, and producers to implement projects to address identified needs in sustainable agriculture. Deadline: Nov 11-13. ( Western SARE )

First Annual E360 Young Writers Awards

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) aims to advance our understanding of the impact of extreme weather and disaster events on aging human populations. Together with companion FOA PAR- 19-249 that focuses on underlying mechanisms of aging utilizing animal models, these two FOAs will help to explicate the behavioral, biological, and socioecological processes that occur during extreme weather or disaster events and that affect aging processes. The goal is to improve the health and well-being of older adults via increased knowledge about extreme weather and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Deadline: Nov. 4. ( NIH )

American Geophysical Union: Thriving Earth Exchange

The American Geophysical Union (AGU)’s Thriving Earth Exchange is seeking several US communities interested in advancing their priorities through collaborative science. For example, communities have worked with AGU scientists to develop a drought vulnerability assessment; assess flood vulnerability of a food distribution center; and save millions in unnecessary remediation costs when creating a recreational park. Join over 98 communities that are advancing their priorities in climate resilience, pollution, natural resource management, or natural hazards! Learn more about our program here . Applications for the December cohort are considered on a rolling basis until 15 November 2019. ( Thriving Earth Exchange )

SB 2: $123 million available for Housing Planning Grants

The Department of Housing and Community Development has $123 million available under the SB2 Planning Grants Program (PGP). The PGP will help local governments prepare, adopt, and implement plans that accelerate housing production; streamline the approval of housing development affordable to owner and renter households at all income levels; facilitate housing affordability, particularly for lower- and moderate-income households; and promote development consistent with the State Planning Priorities. This a is a non-competitive, over-the-counter grant program. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2019. ( HCD )

Upcoming Events

Ride Cool: EVs @ the Market Saturday, September 21, 9am-1.30pm On 4th St., between C and D St, adjacent to Davis Farmers Market in Davis

Are you “electric vehicle curious”? Has your family missed this super fun event in years past? Now is your chance to get charged up! EVs@theMarket brings dozens of EVs to the Davis Farmers Market o celebrate National Drive Electric Week. Over 10 dealers will have EVs for test drives, and local EV drivers will share about their personal EVs on display. ( Cool Davis )

Webinar: September Drought & Climate Outlook from the California- Nevada Drought Early Warning System Monday, September 23, 11am-noon

Another record hot summer is coming to a close in California and Nevada. However, both states have avoided drought for some time, with the exception of a small slice on the California/Arizona border. The region is now looking ahead to prepare for the next water year. This webinar will provide an overview of the current conditions and outlook as well as the role of atmospheric rivers in Western North America. ( Register )

Webinar: Mapping and Understanding Heat Health Vulnerability Thursday, September 26, 9-10.15am

Longer, stronger, and more frequent heat waves have galvanized public health, climate science, and planning professionals into action to prepare for their impacts. How do we best understand how extreme urban temperatures and population vulnerability vary across the built environment? The presenters will share experiences working on community-based participatory action research campaigns and with local health departments to assess exposure to extreme heat, estimate population vulnerability, and inform climate resilience policy. ( Register)

Webinar: How to Effectively Communicate About Climate Using Research-Tested Tools Thursday, September 26th, 10-11am

Join the Capital Climate Readiness Collaborative and ecoAmerica's Path to Positive Communities program for a webinar on how to effectively engage constituents on climate change. ( Register )

California's Active Transportation Program: Getting Started Thursday, September 26, 11am-noon

The Safe Routes Partnership is hosting a three-part webinar series to encourage jurisdictions to apply for Cycle 5 of the Active Transportation Program and provide insight from applicants who were successful in previous cycles. This first webinar will focus on what you should be doing to prepare a little less than a year before the deadline. Topics will include identifying communities in need, understanding the gaps in your biking and walking network, and building a team. ( Register )

Cleantech Meetup: Bringing Cleantech to Disadvantaged Communities Thursday, September 26, 5.30-8.30pm Hacker Lab, 2533 R St., Suite 120, Sacramento

Cleantech Meetup is a technology-focused monthly gathering that features presentations about products and technologies from established companies as well as startups. This month's focus is on bringing clean tech to disadvantaged communities, with speakers from SMUD, the California Energy Commission, and The Greenlining Institute. ( Eventbrite )

APA Sacramento Valley Speaker Series: Making Communities Stronger Through Housing Affordability – Focus on ADUs Friday, September 27, 8.30-10.30am West Sacramento Community Center, 1075 West Capitol Ave, West Sacramento

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are an innovative, affordable, and effective option for adding much-needed housing in California. How can communities encourage the development of ADUs to provide a source of income to homeowners while providing housing to individuals and families of all ages? Cost: $20-$30. ( SVSAPA )

Webinar – Scenarios for Transitioning Cars and Trucks to Low Greenhouse Gas-Emitting Technologies and Fuels Friday, September 27, 10-11am

California has adopted ambitious targets for reducing GHG emissions. Road transportation modes—including cars and light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks—will all need to play their part. In this study, we examine the costs and challenges of reducing transportation GHG emissions 80% by 2050, through rapid uptake of advanced vehicle and fuel technologies. We consider several scenarios and the costs of achieving these, along with policy implications. ( Register)

Webinar: The Moral Imperative to Improve Planetary Health Through Climate Solutions Thursday, October 3, 10-11.15am

On the heels of New York City's Climate Week, faith leaders and health professionals will discuss the moral imperatives of taking action on planetary health. Speakers will discuss how we can safeguard our health and promote social justice by mobilizing communities to take environmental action. This webinar will provide a setting for faith leaders to learn about these challenges and their direct health impacts and moral implications. ( Register )

ARCCA Learning Session: Resilience Planning in Response to SB-379 Thursday, October 3, 1-2pm

By 2022, the State of California expects jurisdictions to have addressed climate adaptation in the Safety Elements of their General Plans. Specifically, SB-379 requires cities and counties to identify the risks climate change poses to the local jurisdiction, a set of adaptation and resilience goals and objectives, and a set of feasible implementation measures aimed at adapting and building resilience to climate change. This webinar will focus on what is required of jurisdictions, potential strategies that can be used to comply with SB-379, and real-world examples of how jurisdictions can meet these requirements without feeling like they are taking on yet another project and adding more to their already extensive workload. ( Register )

Getting to Zero Forum October 9-11, 2019, Oakland

The Getting to Zero Forum is a solutions-focused event dedicated to zero energy and zero carbon buildings. Continuing the work of the Global Climate Action Summit, the Forum has a specific focus on scaling energy and zero-carbon buildings by developing tangible pathways for building owners, cities, communities, and states to meet their energy and climate goals, boost economic growth, and achieve the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. ( Register )

Central Valley Clean Tech Showcase Wednesday, October 9, 9.30am-2pm Capitol Event Center, 1020 11th Street, Sacramento

The Central Valley Clean Tech Showcase will bring together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policy makers, regulators, funders and investors to discuss the latest clean tech innovations, ideas, initiatives and challenges. The showcase will highlight the successes of regional clean tech companies as well as explore future opportunities in technology advancement. ( Eventbrite )

Webinar: How Cities are Paying for Climate Resilience Thursday, October 10, 10.15-11.45am

Cities are starting to use distinct strategies to obtain public and private financial resources that pay for large-scale climate resilience projects. Join city leaders and authors of the report "How Cities Are Paying for Climate Resilience: Playbook 1.0” to explore the leading-edge of urban climate-resilience financing practices and strategies. ( Register )

NorCal Clean Fleet Technology Conference & Expo October 15-17, McClellan Conference Center, Sacramento

This Sacramento Clean Cities and East Bay Clean Cities conference will feature the latest in low- and zero-emission on- and off-road technologies, community clean air action, funding opportunities, as well as insights from policy and regulatory leaders. ( Register )

Mayors’ Climate Commission High School Student Climate Change Summit Saturday, October 19, 9am-1pm River City High School, 1 Raider Lane, West Sacramento

West Sacramento Mayor Cabaldon and Sacramento Mayor Steinberg invite the region’s high school students to share your vision of a sustainable future. Join us to learn how climate change is affecting our community, meet high school students from our area, and brainstorm actions to reach carbon zero by 2045. ( Register )

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.

CRC is a program of the  Local Government Commission .