Our Response To The Climate Emergency

This morning I felt my shoulders loosen for the first time in a while, as President Biden named what many of us have viscerally experienced: that we are in a climate emergency. "We can't wait any longer," he said at today's press conference at the White House. "We see with our own eyes. We know it in our bones. It is time to act."

President Biden's climate proposals are refreshing and essential. Strong federal guidance and investment are like the difference between running an ultra-marathon shoeless with a fierce gale in our face vs. with proper footwear and the wine at our backs. Still, I want us to be clear-eyed here: we have a difficult path forward to stave off the worst climate scenarios, and most of the actual, on-the-ground work will take place at the local and regional level.

CEC is leaning into this moment. Over the last year we've been crafting an ambitious strategic plan to ensure that this will be the decade of unrelenting, focused, and courageous climate action on the Central Coast.

In 2021 you will see us launch a suite of new programs – including efforts to build a troop of climate leaders, center frontline communities in decision making, engage youth, and prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change.

CEC's team is growing as we boldly and creatively work to make our region a bright spot of climate leadership and action. In fact, we've moved to a new flagship location on State Street to accommodate this growth. With less than a decade to make aggressive progress on climate change, we are gearing up to do twice as much, twice as fast (read our latest announcement about a UC Climate Stewards course that will support this effort).

I invite you to learn more about our plan and its three main platforms (highlighted below) by joining our online presentation on Tuesday, February 23 (details below).

Wishing you health,

Sigrid Wright, CEO
Community Environmental Council