Blog
A space for learning.
Bold, Timely Solutions That Can Inform COVID-19 Community Needs
The pandemic exposes our region's social, economic and environmental strengths and vulnerabilities – the exact type of community resilience CEC's Climate Resilience Roundtables are designed to help us work toward together. See community-driven solutions we've developed that could support us in this time.
Our Biggest Challenge: An Interview with Former CEC Board President John Steed
Peter Brill, founder and first Executive Director of Sustainable Change Alliance interviewed John Steed, former board president and current member of CEC President’s Council about what we can do to address climate change.
The Light Blue Line: 13 Years Later
In 2007 a proposal to stripe a blue line throughout downtown Santa Barbara would have shown the potential sea level rise in our fair city as a result of climate change. I was shocked to see how much of the community would be impacted — sandy beaches gone, coastal habitats lost, neighborhoods wiped out, and transportation corridors flooded.
More BMP Bike Lanes, Please
Santa Barbara community members showed up in force on Thursday, October 29 to express their concerns about a new “watered down” version of the Bicycle Master Plan at a special joint meeting of the City’s Transportation and Circulation Committee and the Planning Commission.
WIN: Help speed the transition to electric vehicles #driveclean
In 2019, CEC was able to have follow-up conversations with our Electric Drive 805 partners and work with them to streamline permitting for EV charging stations. This laid the groundwork for Electric Drive 805 to launch the South Central Coast CALeVIP program in 2021, providing $12 million in new state funding to build new EV charging stations in our region.
Battling Climate Change with Healthy Soils
CEC is excited to announce that, in partnership with the Ventura County Resource Conservation District, the Limoneira Company, Agromin, and the UC Cooperative Extension, we have been awarded a grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to study and demonstrate the benefits of soil health and “carbon farming” practices in Ventura County.
A Workplace Charging Station Win
Dona is an Oxnard resident who spent a couple of years planning to purchase an electric vehicle (EV). Motivated by the potential fuel savings and minimal maintenance, as well as her desire to live more sustainably, she had done a lot of research. Then her employer, the Port of Hueneme, installed EV charging stations in their parking lot. She decided to make the leap.
An Interview with a Happy BMW i3 Owner
CEC sat down recently with Krystalin, a Ventura resident who made the switch to a BMW i3. Below, she shares what motivated her to buy an all-electric vehicle, how it fits her daily life, why she sees herself as an EV advocate, and what challenges she hopes to see alleviated in the future as clean transportation becomes the norm.
Local Governments Say Yes to Electric Vehicles
CEC has long been on the front lines of advocating and developing infrastructure for a transition to electric vehicles in our region. This year has seen big strides with local governments adopting strategies to move their fleets to electric vehicles and to provide more charging access to employees and the public.
Santa Barbara Bicycle Master Plan Progress
Nearly every seat in the house was taken at the Santa Barbara City Council on Tuesday, July 21, 2019 for the Bicycle Master Plan (BMP) hearing. Learn more about the plan, community suggestions, and next steps.
Combatting Hunger and Pollution with CalRecycle Grant
Food waste makes up nearly 20 percent of California’s disposal stream. At CEC, we are proud to share we were one of 36 grant recipients chosen by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) to work toward projects that prevent waste, reduce pollution, and combat climate change by getting good food to Californians who need it.
Stop risky oil development in Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Planning Commission heard public comment on the controversial ERG cyclic steaming oil project on March 13, 2019. Comments took the entire day and they pushed the report to be heard on March 27. After the March 27 meeting, they determined they needed more information, continuing the item until May 29.
They directed staff to conduct research on many of the points CEC brought up, specifically around the carbon intensity of the proposed oil production and what a greenhouse gas offset plan would look like. We will keep following the issue and share updates as we receive them.
Saving Money by Driving Electric
With a variety of incentives and an increasing variety of electric vehicles coming onto market, electric vehicles are more affordable than ever. Find out how one couple – Forrest and Mandy Blanton – saved thousands in the past five years by choosing to drive electric.
Electric Drive 805: Supporting the Switch to Clean Vehicles
CEC is proud to announce the launch of “Electric Drive 805,” a new coalition of government agencies and nonprofits that will lead local efforts to increase access to affordable electric vehicles.
The Oil Spill Heard ‘Round the World
On the 50th anniversary of the Santa Barbara Oil Spill, CEC's Executive Director Sigrid Wright and the Environmental Defense Center Chief Counsel Linda Krop speak to the need for "swift and all-encompassing action to heal our planet and prevent further harmful climate disruption."
Marking 50 Years of Environmental Leadership on the SB Oil Spill Anniversary
On January 28, 1969 an oil blowout in the Santa Barbara channel sparked a worldwide environmental movement.
CEC formed in response shortly after and has been rallying the community to action ever since. Watch the January 27, 2019 community gathering.
