Dear ,
Have you heard? The "final draft" of the City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Plan (CAP) is out.
But it's not quite final. This important document, prepared by City staff with significant input from members of the public, does not yet have the mark of the City Council on it. As our elected representatives, they will have the job of weighing in on it now. If they show some serious leadership, it will help signal that our city means business about climate action.
Ross Clark, the CAP's author/editor, has done a great job of compiling ideas contributed by staff and citizens, and the draft is full of excellent suggestions and sterling intentions. The challenge is in carrying them out. Here's one example: The CAP calls for a 10% reduction of car trips in Santa Cruz by 2020. This is a good idea, as cars contribute about half of our greenhouse gas emissions locally.
Yet the City still doesn't have a commitment to ensuring that all planning reflects that expectation of reduced traffic. (Public Works' traditional expectation is for traffic to increase.) This is something the Council could call for when they meet to discuss the CAP. Then we would know they mean it when they approve the plan.
Your input could help make this happen. Read on for information on how to participate.
Wishing you a healthy 2012 full of community connections.
—Michael Levy |
| Climate Action events this month |
Volunteer Action Meeting
Wednesday, January 11, 6:30 pm
People Power Office
703 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz
Be part of the planning for an "underwater tour" event demonstrating the possible effects of climate change on downtown, petition-gathering efforts, tabling, and more.
Community Discussion on the CAP
Thursday, January 19, 7 pm
Ecology Action
877 Cedar St. (near Church St.)
Join us as we host City Climate Action Coordinator Ross Clark and leaders from local environmental groups in an open discussion of the CAP. What's new in this draft? What's still missing? What would you like to ask the City Council for? This meeting will be a good place to find out.
Santa Cruz City Council Meeting on the CAP
Tuesday, January 24, 7 pm (tentative)
City Council Chambers, 809 Center St.
This meeting is likely to be the most important time for us to express our opinions on climate action to the City Council. We'll keep you posted, as this important meeting will not be confirmed until the 19th.
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| Become a member of Transition Santa Cruz |
Help support our important work of building local resilience! Go to http://transitionsc.org/donate and join at the $25, $50, $100 or $200 level, or join as a volunteer. Your participation matters!
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Contact Details
831-427-9916
http://transitionsc.org
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Update on Potlucks
with a Purpose
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Potlucks with a Purpose have been a great way for those of us who care about Transition to be together, enjoy a meal, and learn things, or sometimes teach or share information, poetry, song, and more.
With the new year, the Steering Group is considering some changes:
• Moving to the 4th Tuesday of each month; and
• Turning our monthly gathering into a presentation/interaction only event, without the food.
Please contact us if you would like to hear they whys and give your input about these proposals.
No Transition Potluck is planned for this month. The 4th Tuesday, we hope you will attend the City Council meeting (see article in this newsletter).
For a good potluck, try the one being put on by our friends in the (Sub)urban Homesteading and Sustainable Living Meetup Group:
• Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 pm
• Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave.
At this potluck there will be a
Seed/plant exchange, and seed/plant shared ordering.
Please check out the description at the SHSL Meetup Group's site.
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