Local Climate Action at a Crossroads: Accountability, Activism, and People Power
Local Climate Action at a Crossroads: Accountability, Activism, and People Power
As San Diego launches its inaugural Climate Week, this panel highlights the urgent role of local climate action in shaping our collective future. With planetary systems under stress and a narrowing window to prevent the worst climate outcomes, city- and county-level leadership is more pivotal than ever.
As the federal government continues to clawback environmental regulations, it is up to local environmental organizations to fight back and
1) Drawing on Sierra Club San Diego’s analysis of all 17 local Climate Action Plans (CAPs), the discussion will examine both the content of these plans—targets, equity frameworks, and sectoral strategies—and their implementation, including funding, ordinances, and enforcement. The Sierra Club’s findings reveal uneven progress across jurisdictions: while some cities are advancing robust policies on clean energy and transportation, others lag in turning written goals into binding commitments.
2) The panel will also spotlight the Climate Action Campaign’s Climate Action Plan Report Card, a widely recognized tool that grades cities on both ambition and delivery. This report card has become a key driver of accountability, highlighting where strong policies—such as building electrification, renewable energy commitments, and transit-oriented development—are succeeding, and where leadership is falling short. Can also discuss energy affordabilkity and clean air programs.
3) Adding another layer of grassroots energy, San Diego 350’s Climate Activism can be featured. Their work demonstrates how community organizing, youth leadership, and direct advocacy are pressuring decision-makers to reject new fossil fuel infrastructure, advance climate justice, and empower the next generation of climate activists. We will look at Regional Transportation Planning and how marches, lobbying, rallies, and advocacy impact local climate action.
A comprehensive look at climate policies moving through and stalling in the California legislature
Together, these perspectives underscore that local climate action is pivotal at this moment. At a time when global systems are destabilizing, San Diego’s climate plans, activism, and accountability efforts show both the challenges and opportunities of translating science into policy and policy into action.
Participants will walk away with:
A clear-eyed view of how CAPs are performing and how outside activists can push to improve climate action at the local level
An understanding of the role watchdog tools like the Report Card play
Inspiration from grassroots campaigns like Youth v. Oil, Coalition Building, Environmental movement in the 2020s, etc.
Concrete pathways for engaging in local climate advocacy
By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of San Diego Climate Week and our event platform partner, Climatebase. Your information will not be shared with third parties.
To check out more San Diego Climate Week events, visit: https://lu.ma/sdclimateweek.