Community Convergence for Climate Action a Huge Success!
More than 400 people came out to the Community Convergence for Climate Action, hosted by the Oakland Climate Action Coalition (OCAC), to celebrate local climate solutions that can make Oakland a model green city. The event included live green hip-hop, a theatrical performance on climate by high school-aged girls, and a report-back from Oakland community residents who attended climate workshops in the flat lands of East and West Oakland.
"While the federal government drags its feet on climate legislation, communities like Oakland are stepping up and taking action to clean our air, create green-collar jobs, and improve public health," said Emily Kirsch, of the Ella Baker Center's Green-Collar Jobs Campaign, which convenes the Oakland Climate Action Coalition.
Earlier this year, the City of Oakland decided to develop an Energy and Climate Action Plan (ECAP) to reduce green house gas emissions and fight global warming. In response, green businesses, labor unions, environmental groups and community based organizations have come together to form the Oakland Climate Action Coalition.
"Protecting our climate helps jump-start our local green economy by creating new business opportunities in local food, clean energy, improved transit, and sustainable construction," said Mari Rose Taruc, of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network on the Steering Committee for the Oakland Climate Action Coalition.
The Coalition celebrated its first victory toward meeting unprecedented climate goals (reducing Oakland emissions to 36% below 2005 levels by 2020, and to 85% below 2005 levels by 2050) when Oakland City Council unanimously approved the targets as part of the city's Energy & Climate Action Plan. To meet these goals, OCAC is working with community members and the City to develop landmark local policy solutions that benefit all Oakland residents. At the Community Convergence for Climate Action, this cross-sector coalition presented and celebrated real climate solutions for all of Oakland.
In the coming months, the Oakland Climate Action Coalition will be rallying the City Council for a vote in favor of adoption and implementation of these model policies for climate justice in our City.
Hundreds of signatures were collected for a petition calling on Oakland City Council to enact the Oakland Climate Action Coaltion's policies, but more are needed! Sign on to make your voice heard!
To view policy recommendations, sign the petition and to see photos from the event go to www.ellabakercenter.org.
