Sustainability and Environmental Action Committee - 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report
Summary:
Speakers discussed a public power ballot initiative, the 30x30 conservation effort, Hands on San Diego volunteer opportunities, and the County climate action plan. Sponsored the Heat and Human Health Summit and toured the Tijuana River Valley.
Full Report:
The Sustainability and Environmental Action Committee hosted 17 guest speakers, including 5 speakers that discussed a public power ballot initiative in San Diego. We heard from Power San Diego, SDGE, City of San Diego, San Diego Community Power, and the taxpayers association. The city had conducted a phase I study into the feasibility of an alternative to SDGE investor-owned utility through municipalization and establishment of a public power entity. The Phase I report was completed in 2023. A phase 2 detailed financial and operational options study has been planned.
Additional speakers were from the UCSD heat hub outlining their activities and research regarding extreme heat and health, leaders of the 30 by 30 conservation effort in San Diego, Hands on San Diego highlighting their volunteer opportunities , and the county climate action plan and smart growth alternatives.
We established a coalition with the Transborder Pollution Crisis, continued coalition work with Rewild and Building Electrification, and are working to educate the public on the climate bond proposition.
We took two field trips: to the Tijuana River Valley and Border Field State Park and to the Pure Water Demonstration Facility.
We co-sponsored 2 Heat and human health summits in August 2023/24; connecting medical professionals with county medical authorities, the county emergency heat response plan, and academic research institutions as well as conducted voter registration at both events. The organizing committee, including LWVSD, received the clean air award for public health from the SD Air Pollution Control District for our efforts in organizing the first heat and human health summit in August 2023
The purpose of the Sustainability and Environmental Action Committee (SEAC) is to monitor public policies critical to all aspects of climate change and to advocate for and influence the improvement of such public policy, consistent with LWV positions, in order to promote sustainability and environmental justice for all community members.
The Sustainability and Environmental Action Committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 4pm. Participation is open to the public. For questions email: SEAC Co-Chairs: Mary Lou Lindegran and Posy McKinney at seac@lwvsandiego.org