Nos levantamos temprano porque había que estar antes que todos en el lugar del evento. No alcanzamos a desayunar pero entre la prisa de recoger a la gente y la emoción por el recorrido que íbamos a hacer, ni nos acordamos del hambre.

En el camino al bosque ribereño donde haríamos el evento, nos detuvimos para tomar fotos de la parte canalizada. Encontramos a una familia cruzando el arroyo por unas tablas que improvisadamente servían como puente. La familia no tenia otra opción, más que dar una vuelta caminando que les costaría una hora mas de tiempo para llegar a su destino, o gastar en transporte público lo equivalente al salario mínimo que ofrecen las fábricas cercanas al arroyo.

Llegamos a las 9:00 am al lugar del evento. Primero platicamos con los medios de comunicación y les explicamos que el evento tenia dos intenciones, primero celebrar la disposición de CONAGUA (Comisión Nacional de Agua, organismo federal responsable por el encauzamiento del arroyo) de encontrar una alternativa sustentable para el encauzamiento, que permitiría conservar el bosque, y la segunda hacer la conexión entre naturaleza y comunidad, conocer las plantas y animales de la zona.

Al evento se sumaron más de ochenta personas. Caminamos alrededor de una hora y media. Encontramos encinos, álamos (que le dan el nombre al Alamar), toloache, hierba del manso, tules y muchas plantas más. Los animales se escondieron, como era de esperar. Pero vimos el árbol donde habita una familia de mapaches, el arroyo donde viven los langostinos y donde comen las garzas, vimos el tronco del árbol donde frecuentemente se ve un halcón y el hueco que dejó un pájaro carpintero.

Pero lo más importante es que entendimos la diferencia entre un parque y un ecosistema natural. Entendimos que estamos conectados y que no se trata de salvar árboles nada más, sino de salvarnos a nosotros. No podemos cambiar un recurso natural como este por más carreteras y camiones. El desarrollo de la ciudad no se puede pagar con la salud de la gente que vive y trabaja cerca de este arroyo. Todos somos habitantes del Alamar.

Community Organizer Jose Franco was recently asked to give a presentation on environmental justice to students at Bishop’s High School in La Jolla. Students had requested a perspective on “environmentalism as a movement,” not just the jargon of reduce, reuse and recycle.

The students appreciated the fresh perspective and learned that there's more to environmental justice than they had previously thought. Following the presentation, one student shared his thoughts on the presentation in his school newsletter, and we felt inspired to share it with you.

Thoughts on the Earth Day Assembly

I have been around for a lot of Earth Days. I wasn’t here for the first one; anyone who was is really, really old - or at least 45, which is really, really old to some of you. As important as the message of Earth Day is, sometimes it seems like we are putting on a broken record. That becomes frustrating for the people hearing it, and even more so for people like Gloriana and Dylan who persist in repeating themselves in attempt to get people to listen and actually make positive changes.  

I was expecting our guest speaker, Jose Franco, to drop the needle on the same-old environmental message, but this was a completely different perspective. Kind of like hearing Chris Cornell’s cover of Micheal Jackson’s Billie Jean, same song played in a way that makes you rethink the original. Thank you to Gloriana, Dylan and GCI.  

There were two economic aspects of what Mr. Franco presented that are worth adding to the discussion on the topic of environmental justice. First, when Mr. Franco asked who thought that climate change affected everyone the same, there were a lot of hands. He followed by talking about “heat islands” and health factors and showed a map displaying the disproportionate impact on some communities.

I looked around and saw some faces that were either confused, not buying it, or exhausted from a late night of homework. From an economic perspective, the costs of climate change a definitely disproportionately borne by the poor vis-à-vis higher food prices. When you are poor you spend a greater fraction of your income on food. The costs of climate change are no different than a regressive tax, the increase in food prices is more taxing on the poor.

My second comment has to do with correlation and causality. While there certainly is the problem of NIMBY (not-in-my-backyard) with the wealthy using economic and political influence to push for projects with negative externalities (ask an AP Econ student what that is) to be built somewhere else, the housing market sets prices according to the environmental conditions around the house – supply and demand make houses close to the beach more expensive and houses next to prisons cheaper. Pollution may move into poor neighborhoods, but poor people are moving into polluted neighborhoods. Don’t move there, you say. Well, where else can you go? Income constraints often leave the poor without affordable housing options, especially here in San Diego.  

The science of climate change is more complex than hotter temperatures and the socio-economic impact is just as complicated. What should you do? Reduce, Reuse and Recycle! Don’t add more trash that will end up in a landfill in someone else’s neighborhood. Caring for the environment is caring for others!”

- Dee Mecham

Did you know: Every time you purchase a non-food item at the store, a percentage of the taxes you see on your receipt go to fund local transportation projects?

This sales tax is called "TransNet." The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), collects the tax and distributes a small amount of that funding to cities in San Diego County.

The City of San Diego gets close to 30-million dollars each year, in addition to other federal and state funds, to decide what type of improvements to local streets and sidewalks.

Start Here - Overburdened Communities Need Help Most

We recommend that the City prioritize transportation projects in communities that are:

• most impacted by air pollution due to cars and trucks on local streets and freeways;
• have greatest percentages of children with asthma; and
• have the greatest risk of being hit by car while walking or biking.

These communities include City Heights, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Barrio Logan and San Ysidro.

Start Now - Here's How

So how can the City of San Diego use its funds for transportation justice? It can begin by transforming streets and public space into a place where it is safe for people to walk, bike, take transit and drive, or as we like to call it: "Complete Streets."

Complete Streets means streets are not just built for cars, but for all modes of transportation. When a city builds infrastructure that accommodates more than automobiles, it's been shown to increase other modes of transportation drastically.

Complete Streets have roundabouts to slow down traffic, wide sidewalks to encourage walking, protected bike lanes to separate bicyclists from traffic and streetlights to name a few.

The City needs to dedicate funding to make Complete Streets possible.

Everyone Wants Clean Air

Currently, the City of San Diego has a draft Climate Action Plan that sets goals to increase biking, walking and public transit. This is important because 55 percent of the pollution contributing to climate change comes from people driving alone in their car.

To reach our goal of more walking, biking and taking public transit, the City should at least match their transportation budget to the amount needed to build the streets and sidewalks it takes to accomplish climate goals.

Your Community, Your Voice

There are a number of projects that need to move forward in our communities to make it safer and more convenient to walk, bike, or take public transit. If you know of a transportation need, such as a dangerous intersection, missing crosswalks or bike lanes in your community, contact Monique Lopez at Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo..

We must work together to ensure that our community priorities are included in the City's budget and build #healthyhoods one bike lane, sidewalk and transit stop at a time.

The power of the community voice has spearheaded the revitalization of our region, leading the charge to revolutionize transportation and energy policy. On April 30, were holding our annual awards ceremony to celebrate this movement and the community leaders who make it possible. Reserve your seats today and join these sponsoring organizations as part of the climate revolución.

Pacifica Companies
Presenting Sponsor

Ash Israni founded Pacifica Companies 31 years ago. He saw every real eastate project as a chance to improve the quality of life in the community and preserve and protect the natural environment. Little did he know these values would lead him to become part of the climate revolución. Pacifica Companies is not only our presenting sponsor for 2015, but our 4th annual presenting sponsor.

Pacifica Companies develops real estate projects that improve the quality of life for the end user and those in the surrounding community, respects the ideas and concerns of everyone whom the development affects, and preserves and protects the natural environment.

San Diego Airport Authority 
Platinum Sponsor

The San Diego Airport Authority utilizes green building practices and supports local workers and businesses. It's building a future of clean energy and transportation justice.

Port of San Diego 
Gold Sponsor

The Port of San Diego is building the climate revolución with creative investments in renewable energy projects and bold leadership in energy efficiency. We're proud to have them as a gold sponsor.

California Endowment 
Gold Sponsor

The California Endowment embodies the message that whole community health goes beyond good vs. bad choices. It requires transportation justice and clean energy.

Planned Parenthood Pacific Southwest 
Gold Sponsor

Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest's motto is, "Care. No matter what." Its spirit and leadership contributes to the climate revolución. We are honored to have them as a gold sponsor.

San Diego Convention Center 
Gold Sponsor

The San Diego Convention Center brings clean energy, good jobs and local businesses together; a perfect fit for the climate revolución.

UFCW Local 135 
Gold Sponsor

UFCW Local 135 is well known for their tradition of excellence in representing the needs of working men and women. The climate revolución will have good jobs that respect both the environment and the worker because of the UFCW.

Pala Band of Mission Indians 
Gold Sponsor

The Pala Tribe works diligently to anticipate any environmental damage they might create. With this in mind, they have developed specific programs in working to preserve the environment that are leading the climate revolución.

Manpower - Linda and Mel Katz 
Gold Sponsor

Linda and Mel are bold leaders of corporate citizenship and civic engagement in San Diego. Their involvement in the community, and Manpower's ability to help the unemployed find a paycheck, are pushing the climate revolución forward.

Blue Summit Wealth Management 
VIP Sponsor

Blue Summit Wealth Management invests in projects that bring clean energy and transportation justice to the communities who need it. Now, they're investing in the climate revolución. 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 
VIP Sponsor

The IBEW builds the infrastructure of the climate revolución every single day as it leads the industries of clean energy and transportation justice. We're privelidged to have its support.

Ryan Bros Coffee 
VIP Sponsor

Ryan Bros Coffee is a staple of our community and always engaged in their impact on our neighborhood and in our environment. They love to serve coffee because they love people, and they embody the spirit of the climate revolución.

ECOR - Noble Environmental Technologies 
VIP Sponsor

ECOR is creating the sustainable materials that will become the building blocks of the climate revolución. We're proud to have them as a VIP sponsor.

San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
VIP Sponsor

Working families are the backbone of the climate revolución. The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council is advancing the future by advancing the policies and legislation that support them.  

UC San Diego Health Systems
VIP Sponsor

UC San Diego Health Systems is creating a healthier world one life at a time. They are building new science, mew medicine and new cures for the climate revolución. 

Thank you to all of our sponsors for becoming part of the climate revolución. Together, we lead the charge to revolutionize transportaion and energy regionwide and build a healthy future for our communities. Viva la revolución. 

To learn more about becoming a sponsor, click here.

To join the climate revolución on April 30, buy your tickets here.

You may have heard the buzz about the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan, but what does it mean and why does it matter? We’ve broken it down so you can understand how our city is handling climate change and how to get involved.

The problems with climate change

Climate change hits our neighborhoods first and worst

What is a Climate Action Plan?

What does the draft Climate Action Plan leave out?

Our solution

Take action

What they’re saying

The problems with climate change

Climate change can't be seen or touched, but every day our families are affected by it and the pollution that causes it. The thick, dirty air from cars and industries harm our environment and make us sick. And climate change effects, from sea-level rise along our coast, to extreme heat waves and drought, impact our region and our lives more each day.

Learn more about the harmful effects of climate change in San Diego here.

Climate change hits our neighborhoods first and worst

All neighborhoods in San Diego are impacted by climate change, but not all neighborhoods are impacted equally. As the effects of climate change worsen, some urban neighborhoods such as Barrio Logan, City Heights, and southeastern and southern San Diego suffer significantly more.

Climate change hits hardest in the neighborhoods that:

• Have the highest rates of asthma hospitalization among children in the city;
• Breathe the most polluted air from trucks, freeways and industrial sources;
• Live in old, unhealthy homes lacking energy efficiency and solar energy needed to reduce unaffordable energy bills;
• Lack access to safe, affordable and convenient transit, bicycling and walking options to access jobs, health care, parks, and cooling centers; and,
• Face the highest rates of unemployment, underemployment and low-wage jobs.

Without immediate action in our communities, we will see more heat waves, drought, worsened air quality, increased energy bills and more freeway pollution. The time to start is now, and the place to start is here.

What is a Climate Action Plan?

The City of San Diego is developing a plan to reduce the pollution that causes climate change--which mostly comes from cars, trucks and dirty power plants—and boost our resilience in a changing climate. San Diego’s plan will reduce pollution by relying more on clean energy, increasing transit, walking and biking opportunities, increasing our urban tree coverage and reducing waste.

What does the Climate Action Plan leave out?

The current draft of the Climate Action Plan falls short in two major areas:

1. It fails to prioritize neighborhoods most impacted by climate change for transportation and energy benefits, and
2. It doesn’t do enough to reduce energy use in buildings.

Our solution: Start here, start now! Put our neighborhoods first in the Climate Action Plan!

The City of San Diego should take action on climate now, starting in the neighborhoods impacted first and worst by climate change. Sign our letter to tell the Mayor and City to strengthen and approve an enforceable and comprehensive Climate Action Plan that achieves:

• Transportation justice: Invests in transit, bicycling, and pedestrian infrastructure in our neighborhoods first, and puts people before freeways
• Energy justice: Puts solar in our neighborhoods, gives San Diegans a clean energy choice, and makes new and existing buildings energy efficient
• Good jobs: Creates good-paying jobs for local residents
• Climate change resilience: Protects our natural resources, wildlife, coastline, infrastructure, and public health from the harmful impacts of climate change
• Bold goals, state laws and the City General Plan: Achieves the draft climate plan’s goals to cut carbon in half, use alternative transit for half commutes, use 100 percent clean energy, increase our urban forests, and reduce waste

Take Action

• Sign our letter to tell your Councilmembers to start here, and start now. to tell your Councilmembers to start here, and start now.
• Donate to allow EHC to continue fighting for a Climate Action Plan that starts in our communities.
• Do your part at home and in your community to reduce pollution. Click here to find out how.

What They’re Saying

City Councilmembers join the community in demanding the City’s Climate Action Plan start here and start now, in our urban neighborhoods most impacted by climate change.

Irma Ortiz, resident of Logan Heights, said:

“Residents in my neighborhood already suffer from air quality that’s damaging to breathe, energy bills that are difficult to pay and public transit that’s hard to access. My community has needed the City to act on climate and pollution for a long time, and I hope the mayor’s plan ensures we will see action soon.” 

Councilmember David Alvarez said:

“Neighborhoods in my district and others like it have been waiting their turn for investments in solar energy, affordable and convenient public transit, bicycling and pedestrian infrastructure, efficient and healthy homes and improved air quality. We can’t afford to wait any longer. We need to act here and now to ensure our neighborhoods are resilient against climate change impacts.”

Councilmember Marti Emerald said:

“I positively support the adoption of a strong Climate Action Plan for the City of San Diego. Climate change impacts disadvantaged communities, including many in District 9, hardest. We need to make sure that the economic, transportation and public health needs of the citizens in disadvantaged neighborhoods are adequately addressed by the plan.”

Councilmember Myrtle Cole said:

"San Diego's working families must be equipped to be resilient in a changing climate and create healthy, sustainable investment and quality jobs in communities that have historically been underserved.” 

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