We are excited to announce the winners of the Stand Up for Democracy Poster Contest. After much deliberation our judges selected three poster designs for first, second, and third places, as well as 15 honorable mentions. Congratulations to our top three designs by Kaylan Allen (1st place), Gina Capobianco (2nd place) and Sebastian Diaz (3rd place) – see their posters here. Please download them to share on social media or print them out and put them up. The posters reflect the important public message that EVERY VOTE COUNTS! These posters were selected from dozens of designs submitted by San Diego

We evaluated nearly 20 local and state ballot measures, see our recommendations below. Join us on October 8th to find out the pros and cons of each ballot measure, who’s supporting/opposing them, how they relate to our work, and how we can support or oppose them. REGISTER We need massive voter turnout to overcome Trump’s threats to corrupt the election and tamper with the US Post Office. Use our resources to talk to your family and friends about voting early and securely. Sign up to get involved in canvassing and phone banking, check out our voting webpage for more information.

An update on PFT’s push for plant-based meals in San Diego schools The mission of the Plant Forward Team (PFT) is to help the San Diego community reduce emissions and other environmental impacts associated with animal agriculture by educating about and promoting a plant-based diet, as well as advocating for policies that promote the reduction of animal-based products. Contents Introduction Analysis What Still Stands in the Way Steps PFT and Other Orgs Are Taking Steps You Can Take Introduction Food is important not only for the taste and joy it brings but also for its cultural, nutritional, and climate impacts

Your Guide to Plant-Based Food in San Diego Maps and lists to make your search easier! Are you interested, curious, or simply looking for inspiration on where to eat plant-based in SD? Check out the Google Maps and Lists below that open directly in the Google Maps app (available on Android and iOS)! Maps of Veg-Friendly Businesses Have you ever thought: “I wish I could open my Maps app and see where the plant-based businesses in SD are?” If so, we present a convienient way to do just that! Click on the button below or scan the QR code and

By Maria Echevarria (she/her) Youth v. Oil Intern On August 31st, Chief Judge Brenda Sannes, a New York federal judge, ruled against New York State’s Climate Superfund law, favoring the Trump administration, Republican states, and Big Oil.  Judge Sannes struck down the Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund, signed into law in 2024, which would require large oil and gas corporations to contribute $3 billion annually to the state’s Superfund beginning in 2028. Sannes argued that a controversial 2021 decision in City of New York v. Chevron, in which the city’s lawsuit against Big Oil was dismissed, is relevant to the

By Carmen Berry, SanDiego350 Member Not caring is the most dangerous thing we can do for our planet. High-risk environmental behaviors are dominating our political landscape, trickling down to harm our most vulnerable populations. In order to address ongoing environmental harms and improve sustainability outcomes in our communities, we must realize civic participation as a necessary way to support lasting change.   Civic engagement can be defined as community service, collective action, or political involvement that addresses an area of public concern. Civic engagement plays an essential role in fighting ongoing global environmental problems such as biodiversity loss, deforestation, and climate

By Melissa Reyes, Community Outreach Program Assistant The air quality in our outdoor environment is an important contributor to communities’ health, quality of life, and often what we think about when people talk about air pollution. But, did you know that the air quality in your home can also contribute to health problems and even climate change?  Home appliances that create heat by burning fossil fuels can release emissions into the home and use larger amounts of energy. Finding more energy efficient appliances for your home can be difficult. It has been found that oftentimes the communities most impacted by

Jim Miller, The Jumping-Off Place & SD350 Board Member Article by The Jumping Off Place More than a year after the Palisades fire, the drive down Pacific Coast Highway in Los Angeles on a sunny summer day is still jarring. From Santa Monica to Zuma Beach, the cars continue to jam the lots and the side of the road as people from all over the city stream to the beaches, but the scars from that catastrophic event remain starkly evident. Indeed, the buildings along the stretch near the intersection of Highway 1 and Topanga Canyon where I used to go to the beach as a young man

By Ken Kobayashi, SanDiego350 Volunteer Extended version on The Jumping Off Place The Trump Administration has launched yet another attack on our state’s natural resources. This time, it comes in the guise of an administrative review of California’s Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP), an agreement under which California and the Federal government collaborate to manage our coastal resources. Together, we can build a meaningful mass of opposition. State agencies and environmental groups have submitted comments opposing this, and the Governor has appealed to Californians to “Give the Trump administration an earful.” The CZMP has been enormously productive and successful. It has

We are proud to announce the completion of the South Bay Clean Energy Curriculum Program. We started back in fall of 2024 when we hired our year 1 intern, Daniel Hernandez, and got nine teachers from Hilltop High School, Sweetwater Union High School, and Bonita Vista High School together for our kickoff event and training. Throughout year 1 teachers worked with students, the California Global Education Project, and our clean energy workforce consultant Tanisha Jean-Martin to create their curriculum plans. After many rounds of feedback and hiring three high school interns for the second year, teachers implemented the curriculum in

Written by Ken Kobayashi, Edited by Emma Rodriguez 7/20  Roughly two weeks ago, we celebrated this nation’s 250th birthday and the great experiment that it represents: the rule of law and of democracy. Right now, numerous corrupt officials are testing our dedication to the idea that government is “of the people, by the people, and FOR the people.” However, we at SanDiego350 are confident that, just as this notion has triumphed over its challengers, we will once again come through this time of trial stronger than ever. Doing so, though, requires that all of us commit to taking sustained action

By Rachel Carton, Legislative Team Member As California works to meet its ambitious climate goals, the Legislature has an opportunity to advance policies that reduce emissions while protecting the communities most impacted by pollution. At SanDiego350, we support legislation that keeps fossil fuels in the ground, expands affordable clean energy, protects frontline communities, and ensures polluters, not taxpayers, pay for the costs of pollution. Take action on the priority bills we SUPPORT: TAKE ACTION on AB 1790, SB 1216TAKE ACTION on AB 1813, AB 2313TAKE ACTION on SB 886, SB 327, SB 954 Bills we support  AB 1790: Close Corporate Tax Loopholes AB

By Rachel Carton, Legislative Team Member On May 28th, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved a change to the Cap-and Invest Program, authorizing the Manufacturing Decarbonization Incentive (MDI) in a 10-3 vote. It’s framed as a way to help industry reduce emissions while protecting affordability and preventing companies from leaving California. In reality, it is a $4 billion giveaway to big oil. What Is the MDI? Before getting into why that’s a problem, it’s worth understanding how California’s Cap-and-Invest program works today.  The state sets a cap on total emissions. Companies receive or purchase allowances that permit them to

By Melissa Reyes, Community Outreach Program Assistant BiographyMelissa is passionate about environmental justice, equity and intersectionality; and has highlighted her passions throughout her nonprofit work across San Diego County. She graduated from Cal State San Marcos with a degree in Environmental Studies and has worked as an environmental educator since 2018. Growing up in an marginalized community herself, she believes that with the power of community, anything is possible. As a Community Outreach Program Assistant, she hopes to bring affordable and equitable resources to many homes in San Diego, while also building meaningful connections with diverse and resilient communities. Role at

By Carmen Berry, SanDiego350 Member Artificial intelligence, the world’s fastest-growing technological sector, has met the people’s demand for instant security of mind, allowing access to a seemingly infinite wealth of information at the touch of a finger. As tech companies worldwide jump at the opportunity to capitalize on emerging consumer interest and integrate Artificial Intelligence technology into daily operations, our land, water, and electricity are being stolen to accommodate the financial interests of these tech giants.  Currently, AI models use exorbitant amounts of water and fossil-fuel-sourced electricity in order to power search engines and cool the supercomputers that store data

By Jessie Stein, Member of the Stand Up for Democracy Campaign The right to vote is one of democracy’s most essential institutions, and Americans are being asked to defend it in new ways. Escalating political attacks on election systems and voting access have the potential to create a chilling effect that discourages eligible voters from participating altogether, but we still have incredible power to influence electoral outcomes if we encourage our community to participate. During the 2024 general election, only 75.8% of registered voters cast ballots in San Diego County, the lowest for a presidential election in 20 years. This

By Tyler (Dre) Andre, Transportation Team Member & Events Team Co-lead If you’ve ever ridden the 215 bus from Mid-City to Downtown, then maybe you know the frustration. Local transit agencies promised (and spent $44 million) to convert an existing bus route with roughly 40-minute service to  a 30-minute rapid transit journey.That now routinely takes closer to 50 minutes or more. For the thousands of San Diegans who depend on this route every day (commuters, students, essential workers, seniors), that’s not a minor inconvenience. It’s lost time, lost opportunity, and a daily reminder that our city hasn’t delivered on its