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A Beginner’s Guide to Environmental Legislation

By Janet Yao, Climate Writer & insights from SanDiego350’s Legislative Team’s co-chairs Beth Chopp, Parke Troutman, and Katharine Harrison We often think of climate activism as people on the streets marching, holding signs, and chanting for change – but climate activism can also look like hours spent on the computer researching policies, talking to local elected officials, and collecting signatures for ballot initiatives. This is the crucial behind the scenes work that SanDiego350’s Legislative Team dedicates their time toward, and it pays off! Although policy work can be a slow process at times, it can be some of the most

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A Truck

Land of the Giants

How America’s Obsession With Gigantic Vehicles is Killing the Planet and People by Joel Martin, SD350 Climate Writer Read the original article from The Jumping-Off Place, a new progressive news outlet. The other day, I was pulling up to a red light in our Prius. Tailgating me was a woman in an enormous black SUV, perhaps a Lincoln Navigateur or a Cadillac Escalade it’s hard to say. She had her cell phone in her right hand and was alternating between gesticulating and steering with her left hand. She was maybe 10 feet behind me. I kept tapping my brakes in

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Embracing Sustainability: San Diego’s Journey to Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

By Monserrat Mejia, SanDiego350 Intern Unveiling the San Diego Regional Decarbonization Framework In the race against climate change, the San Diego region has embarked on an ambitious journey outlined by the Regional Decarbonization Framework (RDF). The primary goal? To achieve net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2045 with the County’s Climate Action Plan Update and their Regional Decarbonization Framework. This groundbreaking initiative not only recognizes the urgency of addressing climate change but also emphasizes the importance of equitable and sustainable strategies in the pursuit of a greener future.  Understanding the Need for Decarbonization The Greenhouse Gas Menace: Carbon emissions serve

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‘First We Kill All The MBAs’

How the Cult of Business Education Leaves A Wake of Death and Destruction, Part 1 By Joel Martin, Climate Writer Read the original article from The Jumping-Off Place, a new progressive news outlet. To begin with, I offer my sincerest apologies to the Bard for misappropriating and misusing his line from Henry VI. Nevertheless, I think you get my drift. I’m writing about how the narrow-minded and nearly religious acceptance of the business school curriculum is contributing to everything from our loss of privacy to the destruction of our planet. Since the world is now thick-headed, absolutist and angry, I feel obliged

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Member of the Month: Kyle Brinker

This month, we interviewed SanDiego350 volunteer, Kyle Brinker to share about their climate activism. Kyle is a member of the Transportation team and Legislative Team and has helped with petitioning for Let’s Go! campaign. How did you first get involved with SD350, and when was that? I’ve been involved since early 2023. I knew I couldn’t make a big enough impact through voting and lifestyle changes alone, and needed to engage more deeply with the democratic process to make sure we’re all on the path towards a healthy planet! What drives your activism? We all have a responsibility for giving

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SB 1137: The fight to protect our communities from Big Oil

By Taarika Sethee Approximately five and a half million Californians live within one mile of one or more oil and gas wells. This issue of environmental injustice is at the forefront of Youth v. Oil’s work. It began with our advocacy in 2020 for local resolutions calling on Governor Newsom to create health and safety setbacks between oil wells and homes, schools and hospitals, to end permitting of new oil wells, and to begin phasing out oil drilling.  The Youth v. Oil resolutions we passed, at San Diego City Council and San Diego Unified and other school districts, contributed to

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The Devil Wears Prada

By Joel Martin, Climate Writer My New Year’s resolution is to not shop this year. Sure, I’ll buy necessities and replace something if it’s essential, but I’m not going to buy anything that I don’t absolutely need. So far, it’s been easy to live up to and has made my life happier too. Every bit of stuff that we buy impacts the climate. It takes energy to collect the raw materials, energy to manufacture, energy to make the packing materials, and energy to ship. That adds up to a lot of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and it’s true

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Let’s Go! San Diego is on the November 2024 Ballot! Now what?

By Emma Rodriquez, SD350 Campaign Coordinator  For three years, SanDiego350 has been part of a coalition of labor, businesses, community groups, and other environmental organizations fighting for Let’s Go! San Diego. And as of last month, we’ve officially entered the final stage! That means that when you get your ballot this November, Let’s Go! San Diego will be one of the measures you’ll be asked to vote on. I want to remind you all why we’ve fought so long for this moment, what it means for San Diego, and what it means for you. Right now, SANDAG (San Diego Association

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Two people with "Power San Diego" t-shirts and a sign that says "help us fire SDG&E - sign here"

SanDiego350 Endorses Power San Diego Campaign- Here’s Why

By Emma Rodriguez, Campaign Coordinator What do you think a just and equitable transition to renewable energy looks like? It’s not an easy question to answer – but I can guarantee you everyone reading this agrees on what it doesn’t look like: a company with a monopoly on gas & electric distribution, who punishes rooftop solar owners, and charges rates that leave 1 in 4 San Diego families behind on their bills. In short, if we want a just and equitable transition to renewable energy, we need to fire San Diego Gas & Electric and their parent company, Sempra, and

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SANDAG Leadership Goals and Obstacles

By Climate Writer, Marilyn Bruno with insights from Steve Gelb and Bee Mittermiller of SD350’s Transportation Team The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is the region’s main transportation and planning agency.  Recent turnover of the leadership at SANDAG gives rise to both reflection and excitement.  Reflection on the legacy of Hasan Ikhrata, who held the Chief Executive Officer position from 2018 to year-end 2023, and excitement about the SANDAG Board of Directors (made up of representatives from the 18 municipalities in the county and from the county at large) unanimously appointed Colleen Clementson, former Deputy CEO of SANDAG, as its new

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Headshot of Parke Troutman

Member of the Month: Parke Troutman

This month, we interviewed SanDiego350 volunteer, Parke Troutman to share about their climate activism. Parke is Co-Chair of the Legislative Team and runs the Strategy Working Group and is co-chair of the research working group for the SB 1137 campaign. How did you first get involved with SD350, and when was that? Normally, I dance Lindy Hop on Wednesday nights, but once, in the fall of 2022, dance was shifted to a Tuesday and that Wednesday was a Leg Team meeting night. A friend invited me. The rest is history. What drives your activism? As a child of two biologists,

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Opinion: Neighborhood shuttle services are a promising next step to a more sustainable future

As neighborhoods densify, we should demand that cities provide neighborhood shuttle service to relieve increased traffic and parking pressure BY SANJIV NANDA, CRAIG JONES, RITA CLEMENT Commentary published in the San Diego Union Tribune on Dec 11, 2023 Nanda is a SanDiego350 microtransit expert and past executive strategic adviser with SANDAG and lives in Mira Mesa. Jones is a SanDiego350 expert on land use and a retired city of San Diego urban planner and lives in Scripps Ranch. Clement is SanDiego350 Transportation Team co-lead and lives in Chula Vista. Cities around San Diego County are rolling out app-enabled neighborhood shuttle services. If you haven’t experienced a ride, you

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“WE’RE FIGHTING FOR OUR FUTURE”: BLUE SHIELD PARTNERS WITH SANDIEGO350 TO EMPOWER YOUTH CLIMATE CHAMPIONS

SanDiego350 is among six nonprofits to receive support from Blue Shield’s recent environmental justice investment. Copied from original article by Blue Shield DECEMBER 14, 2023 Masada Disenhouse, executive director of nonprofit SanDiego350, knows exactly how to make the most impact with Blue Shield of California’s recent environmental justice investment. “It will allow us to get so many more people engaged, both youth and adults, in this work of protecting our planet and doing it in a way that really prioritizes the people who have been left out of environmental conversations for too long,” she said. SanDiego350 is a local nonprofit dedicated

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People holding protest signs

Looking Back at a Year of Success

By Katrina Olson, Volunteer Newsletter Writer Dear readers,  As the volunteer responsible for pulling together upcoming events and news stories for SD350’s weekly newsletters for volunteers, I have a special window into the many ways SD350 took action on climate this year and wanted to share some highlights for 2023.  In a year marked by increasing climate disasters, frightening news, and a frustrating lack of urgency from our government, it can be easy to feel resigned and discouraged. But through our collective actions, we are making a difference. We have made great strides this year by educating the public, influencing

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War-like "planet destroying" scene and a sign that says "system change not climate change"

A New Hope

By Joel Martin, SanDiego350 Climate Writer INT. Deep Space – Darkness – Imperial Star Destroyer Passes OverheadSound Cue: Ominous Thrumming Times are tough. All of the climate disruption measurements are off the charts. We are about to cap off the hottest year in human history. On Friday November 17, 2023, global temperatures exceeded 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.  Professor James Hansen, the former NASA scientist who elevated the awareness of climate change in testimony to the US Senate in 1988, says, “We are damned fools” for failing to act on climate science. His recent research shows that current models

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Wayne Mai and their mentor Dr. Vi Nguyen

Member of the Month: Wayne Mai

This month, we interviewed SanDiego350 volunteer, Wayne Mai to share about their climate activism. Wayne is a member of the Membership Engagement Team and is also working with the SB1137 Referendum team and helping out with education and outreach. How did you first get involved with SD350, and when was that? I first got involved with SD350 back in April; I attended a Youth v. Oil die-in rally, then joined the Membership Engagement Team after attending their open house.  What drives your activism? As a pre-med student aiming to be a pediatrician, I am concerned with the health impacts of

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The behind of a cow, fracking well, and food waste with the words "methane".

There’s Something About Methane

By Joel Martin, SanDiego350 Climate Writer Methane levels in the atmosphere are climbing dramatically. This is scary news since methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. According to NASA, methane has already been responsible for 20 to 30% of global warming since the industrial revolution. The rate of accumulation of methane jumped by a factor of 3 between 2010 and 2020 and it looks to be increasing still faster.  Where is all this methane coming from and why is it increasing so quickly? We’ll answer that question and explore some of the ways SanDiego350 is working

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Abby Costello speaking at the rally

Sweetwater Union High School District Commits to Going All-Electric – Thanks to Community voices!

By Catherine Walker from Climate Action Campaign and Lexi Rueff from SanDiego350 Sweetwater Union High School District Commits to Going All-Electric: Prioritizes Student-Led Initiative Over Gas Industry Profits SUHSD follows the lead of SDUSD and commits to transitioning to all-electric buildings and bus fleets On Monday, November 13th, 2023 students, activists, teachers, faculty, parents, climate leaders, and our community joined forces yesterday to rally for a student-led electrification resolution for the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD). The resolution passed unanimously,* marking another historic win for local school districts.  In April, the San Diego Unified School District garnered recognition as the

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Emma Weibel

Member of the Month: Emma Weibel

This month, we interviewed SanDiego350 volunteer, Emma Weibel to share about their climate activism. Emma is a member Youth4Climate and was part of the Schools Team (leading the electrification resolution at SDUSD) and now is the Youth4Cliamte’s Eco-Club Coalition Intern. How did you first get involved with SD350, and when was that? I first got involved with SD350 through the Eco Club Coalition in the fall of last year. I was a new club president at the time and looking for a community to support my club. I definitely found that at the ECC. That was a catalyst for my

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Cars on the freeway

Opinion: Don’t be fooled by misinformation on proposed road user charges. Here are the facts.

By Sanjiv Nanda, Craig Jones, Bee Mittermiller from SanDiego350’s Transportation Team This article was published published in the San Diego Union-Tribune on Oct. 31, 2023, see the article here. When you drive in a gas-powered vehicle, you are paying gas taxes on every gallon of fuel you consume while the electric vehicle in your next lane gets a free ride. Nanda is a microtransit expert with SanDiego350 Transportation Team Climate Action and previous executive strategic adviser with SANDAG, and lives in Mira Mesa. Jones is a retired city planner and social services administrator living in Scripps Ranch. Mittermiller is a former transportation team lead with SanDiego350 Climate

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