The long-awaited Contra Costa Climate Emergency Resolution will be heard by the County Board of Supervisors on September 22nd. With its passage, which could happen with strong public support, Contra Costa will join five counties and 25 cities in the Bay Area (70% of its total population) that have formally recognized the climate crisis in order to promote resilience and sustainable local economies no longer reliant on fossil fuels.
The Climate Emergency Resolution is here. It’s not long—please take a careful look at it in advance of the meeting.
There are many bright moments in the draft resolution. One is the proposed establishment of an interdepartmental task force to coordinate implementation of the Climate Action Plan, a long overdue practical measure, and to emphasize equity and social justice issues in its implementation. Another is a commitment to developing County reach codes in order to electrify all new construction. Yet another—a huge aspirational step forward for Contra Costa—is acknowledgement of the urgent need to “anticipate” and “plan” for a Just Transition away from a fossil fuel-dependent economy. There is heavy emphasis throughout on promoting equity and rectifying environmental injustice in Contra Costa’s pollution-clobbered frontline communities.
If there are areas you think need improvement, by all means make your voice heard. You can send in comments ahead of time to Board members. Their addresses can be found here. Or you can make comments at the meeting.
Above all, speak from your heart.
Watch the meeting here. T0 address the Board during Public Comment on a non-agenda item, or on the Climate Emergency Resolution—Agenda Item #D2—call in by dialing 888-251-2949 followed by the access code 1672589#. Push “#2” on your phone to indicate you wish to speak on an agenda item.
All telephone callers will be limited to two (2) minutes apiece. The Board Chair may reduce the amount of time allotted per telephone caller at the beginning of each item or public comment period depending on the number of calls.
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From your computer: click this link.