Federal and State Climate Policy Wins Bolster Local Action
Newsletter November 2022
2022 has been an unprecedented year for climate progress, with a dizzying number of new California laws set to transform markets for all-electric vehicles and clean energy, and catalyze climate justice efforts.
Meanwhile—against the backdrop of the U.N. COP 27 Climate Summit in Egypt—the U.S. and California are deploying the largest investment in climate solutions in our nation’s history: $370 billion in federal Inflation Reduction Act funding and $54 billion in state funding that will accelerate progress towards carbon neutrality by 2045.
These advancements, combined with a number of local policy wins, bolster the Community Environmental Council’s mission to build on-the-ground momentum to reverse the threat of the climate crisis.
There is no better time to join us for our next Climate Action Webinar, How the Momentum of Recent Climate Policy is a Win For You, on Tuesday, December 6, 2022 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Hosted by CEC’s Director of Policy Michael Chiacos and featuring Rewiring America’s Director of Policy Partnerships and Equitable Electrification Jamal Lewis attendees will learn more about how these historic climate policies and tax credits can help you save money as you go fossil free. You can benefit whether you are a homeowner or renter, with benefits for electric cars, solar, energy storage, heat pumps, insulation, and more. You will also learn what the Community Environmental Council is doing to make California’s Central Coast a leader in climate action.
Want a sneak peek of CEC’s policy work? Check out our recently released Policy Platform that guides the work we are doing throughout the region to advocate for climate-safe and climate-smart policies.
Want to be part of local solutions, right now? Add your name to our bank of policy advocates called upon for public comment and climate action in local communities.
CEC’s Sigrid Wright and Congressman Carbajal On Why National Climate Progress Takes Local Climate Action
"A year ago, we heard the global community of scientists issue an unequivocal alarm bell by deeming our climate crisis a code red for humanity. We also heard their evidenced-based timeframe for action: one short decade ... Fortunately, the Community Environmental Council (CEC), which has led the way on environmental solutions for more than 50 years, is implementing a laser-focused plan for unrelenting, rapid, and inclusive climate action in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties."
As the dust settles from the recent election and we sort out what this will mean for environmental leadership in the coming years, check out this co-authored piece from U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal and Community Environmental Council CEO Sigrid Wright in the November 3 Montecito Journal.
Triple Your Impact Today! Donate to CEC’s Protect Our Climate Campaign
"With all of the damage to our neighborhood after the Thomas Fire and Montecito debris flow, I knew I had to get more involved in protecting our region from climate change—for my own children, and for all young people. I chose the Community Environmental Council because they are so effective in what they do here in the heart of my own community and are such a strong model for the rest of the country."
–Carolyn Fitzgerald, CEC Board of Directors
The climate crisis is daunting and destructive. And it’s getting worse. We’re the local nonprofit fiercely protecting California’s Central Coast for you, your children, and your children’s children. That’s why today we are raising $15 million through our Protect Our Climate campaign to support our programs and initiatives that will transform California's Central Coast into a living laboratory for equitable climate solutions.
As of today, we have raised over $11.7 million. Now, we are asking for your help to raise the remaining $3.3 million. For a limited time, 3x your gift to the Community Environmental Council (CEC)! Thanks to a $10,000 match from Randy Solakian Estates Group and a $100,00 match from the John C. Mithun Foundation, the first $10,000 in community-level gifts made to CEC before December 31, 2022 will be TRIPLED.
Staff Housing
Do you have information on available housing in Ventura or Santa Barbara County? One of our team members is looking for a 2 bed/1 bath apartment, with a $2,200/mo budget. The ideal location has access to parking within 20 feet of a 120V+ outlet. Please direct leads to msarrassat@cecmail.org.
Support Critical Work Like This
Recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, CEC is led by CEO Sigrid Wright, 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. See our most recent impact report to learn how we are serving California's Central Coast by advancing rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.
Learn more about CEC's Campaign to Protect Our Climate and make a gift to fuel our work at cecsb.org/donate. You can also text CEC to 801801 to make a donation today. And, if you are 70.5 or older you can make an end-of-year roll-over gift from your IRA (up to $100,000 per person). To learn more or make a tax-free donation from your IRA account, please contact Karl Hutterer at klhutterer@gmail.com.