LET’S GET LOCAL: THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL POLICY ACTION

As a climate activist, you probably feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the environmental problems we face as a planet. Ice caps melting, coral reefs dying, species disappearing…  All these threats feel just as insurmountable as they feel horrifying. Will switching off my lights or eating vegan breakfasts really save the whales?

The good news is, you can make a difference, even as an individual. While switching off the lights is a good place to start, your power really lies in your impact on local elected officials. Why? Because your voice is strongest at the local level. If dedicated climate activists can make a difference in many local districts, that can lead to a huge cumulative effect.

You’re probably already aware that Climate Reality Bay Area does a great job of tackling climate policy throughout the region. What you might not know is that they also support even more localized policy action teams to focus on county-specific issues. These teams reach out to their district officials and city councils to demand more aggressive climate policy. At this small scale, it’s much easier to be heard, for example by speaking at city council meetings or even meeting with representatives one-on-one. For example, thanks to the Marin/Sonoma Counties Team, the number of Marin jurisdictions meeting the state’s EV requirements rose from two to all 12 in 2021!

Last year, the CRBA welcomed its newest team: the Alameda County Policy Action Team. Currently, this group is focusing on the electrification of new and existing buildings in marginalized Oakland communities. The electrification of buildings basically means wiring them up so that the residents can use all electric appliances instead of gas ones. This shift can drastically reduce our city’s greenhouse gas emissions, while creating the infrastructure to use alternative energy.

It’s particularly important that the Team pushes to prioritize marginalized communities. Despite its liberal politics, Oakland has often failed to effectively confront class and racial inequity throughout its history. When it comes to climate change, disenfranchised groups usually have the smallest impact while suffering the greatest consequences. For example, lack of access to financial resources and social services can make it so much harder to cope with health problems caused by pollution.

The Alameda County Policy Action Team welcomes new members. If you’re interested in contributing to the fight against climate change, starting in your own backyard, sign up for our mailing list.

We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting Alameda County Policy Action meeting!!