San Diego is California’s second largest city, and when officials there take action, others follow. This is why the city’s recently announced climate action plan is so important. The new policies include a commitment to 100% renewables by 2035, and sharp decreases in greenhouse emissions by half over that same time period.
Under the leadership of Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer, and the City Council, officials in the city are showing that climate action can be a bipartisan winner. And the effort is much greater, and includes a far more diverse group of actors than just policymakers. The city brought together stakeholders from community planning groups, environmental health organizations, unions and labor groups, environmental groups, and even the chamber of commerce. What’s more, the climate action plan has the broad support of residents throughout the city.
The benefits and importance of climate action are becoming clear to all sectors—including business, government, utilities, and communities. Now, more than ever, climate leaders are needed to push their cities to adopt aggressive climate action plans like those now underway in San Diego. To find out more about acting on climate in your community, check out the great resources and join Path to Positive Communities!
How San Diego Won 100% Renewables: An interview with Nicole Capretz
Climate Resolve | February 2016
On December 15, the City of San Diego announced its remarkable new Climate Action Plan, committing the city to 100% renewable power by the year 2035, and, by the same year, slashing its carbon emissions by half.
Even more astonishing, Republican Mayor Kevin Faulconer proposed it and the Council voted unanimously to make their climate plan legally binding. In other words, there's legal accountability should San Diego fail to reach their targets.
So how did America's 8th largest city enact this visionary plan?
To find answers, I called Nicole Capretz, the brilliant organizer behind the new policy.
This is what I learned.
