Blog
A space for learning.
Flipping the Switch to Electric: Carpinteria Couple Is All-In to Build Smart
“Our intention has always been to build and live as sustainably as we can, keeping climate impacts at the forefront. We’ve got this amazing opportunity and it definitely feels like partly our responsibility – and duty – to do so,” says Hunter Turpin about the new all-electric home he and his wife Casey are building.
Community Environmental Council CEO/Executive Director shares her reaction to President Joe Biden's signing of the Inflation Reduction Act into law:
"Today is a good day for the planet and a time for all of our fellow climate activists to CELEBRATE. The President has signed into law the largest single investment in combating climate change EVER.”
A New Initiative Will Create Neighborhood Resilience Hubs to Serve Vulnerable Populations
Imagine your community is impacted by the next wildfire that starts in our region. Maybe your home is in close proximity to the flames, or the smoke and ash from the fire drifts to your doorstep. How will you respond? Will you have the supplies you need? Will you know when or where to evacuate to? If you lose power, how will you prepare food, stay cool, or run air purifiers? What if you have a neighbor who needs help? By sharing information and resources, residents can be empowered to support each other and build community resilience in the face of wildfires, earthquakes, extreme heat, and other natural disasters.
North County Climate Steward Christina Hernandez Inspires Climate Action through Connection
Recent Community Environmental Council (CEC) UC Climate Steward graduate Christina Hernandez is a lifelong resident of the small coastal city of Guadalupe in North Santa Barbara County. A social and environmental justice advocate for over 10 years, she is driven by a deep love of her community and the desire to help her fellow residents connect with nature, access critical resources and support, and participate in building a healthy and resilient region. Christina fills many key roles in her community, including as a member of the Santa Barbara County Equity Advisory and Outreach Committee, a board member at Los Amigos de Guadalupe, and the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center.
We spoke with Christina about how CEC’s UC Climate Stewards program helped deepen her community engagement around climate change and nature conservation, and what she envisions for the future of Guadalupe.
Plastic Pollution Solutions
Only five percent of our nation’s plastic waste was recycled in 2021, according to the Department of Energy. This dismal statistic underscores the growing failure of recycling to keep up with the growing volume of plastic trash.
This webinar covers plastics – recycling, reduction, and policy – focusing on local and state efforts to reduce waste. Viewers will be empowered to take immediate, collective action.
Lee Heller: Champion of the Environment and the Welfare of All Creatures
Few people are as passionate about the health of our natural environment — and the welfare of both animals and people — as Lee Heller. And few are as ready as she is to back up their passion with action, advocacy, and material support.
Statement from CEC CEO/Executive Director Sigrid Wright on Today’s Supreme Court Ruling
In response to today’s Supreme Court ruling on the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to broadly regulate carbon emissions from existing power plants, Community Environmental Council CEO/Executive Director, Sigrid Wright released the following statement:
Building a Community of Climate Leaders Takes on New Meaning for One Earth Day Volunteer
On April 23rd, Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) Santa Barbara Earth Day event brought our community together in celebration of local efforts to protect the environment, and to inspire further action. After two years of no public in-person events, it also provided a great opportunity to connect with eco-minded individuals, organizations, and businesses—and in at least one case, receive a job offer out of it!
Climate: Front and Center
The White House used the Summit of the Americas as an opportunity to make significant global commitments to combating the climate crises. I took special note of the following advancements that relate to the progress the Community Environmental Council is making in our region.
Adams Elementary School Hosts Coin Drive to support CEC’s critical work
This spring, students from Santa Barbara’s Adams Elementary School raised over $100 for the Community Environmental Council (CEC) through their spring coin drive, using the opportunity to raise awareness about environmental issues like single use plastics and renewable energy.
Help California get to Carbon Neutrality by 2035
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will soon decide on two major issues impacting California's ability to move quicker on combating the climate crisis. We need you to share your voice and spread the word on two key issues: Carbon Neutrality and Clean Cars. Take 5 minutes today to advance critical climate policy by 10 years.
All Hooves On Deck
CEC co-hosts a community supported grazing summit to boost wildfire resilience.
Ilene Segalove: An Artist Caring For Our Future
Ilene Segalove was born and raised in Los Angeles. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) and a Master of Arts in Communication from Loyola University.
