Climate Action Plans (CAP’s)

This blog post is related to a discussion post on CAP’s during my Ph.D. Studies.

First, post an article or video of a climate action plan that seems to be working and empowering folx to make a difference.

I searched California, and I struggled to find specific climate action plans with dialogue about the community’s reactions and support of the plan in my own community of Orange County. I did see many, but they included the plan only, so I did not feel like including those. I instead went over to the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom’s website. What I found regarding climate plans and goals was substantial. I have two articles to share. The first Here’s What California Accomplished in 2022 on Climate was easy to read and provided many great initiatives with some details regarding their success. I found two points to be the most interesting. In “Charging ahead with zero-emission vehicles,” it mentioned that “Nearly 18% of cars sold in the state in 2022 were ZEVs, thanks to billions in new incentives and rebates for consumers” (California, 2022). And, in  “fighting extreme heat,” it proclaimed, “California kept the lights on, thanks to years of smart investments and preparation – including thousands of megawatts of new clean energy battery storage” (California, 2022). Although this information was from 2022, I found it enlightening. The second, expanding on ZEVs, is titled California Surpasses 1.5 Million ZEVs Goal Two Years Ahead of Schedule. This article explains the success of encouraging residents of California to reduce emissions and buy electric instead. As the title explains, California achieved and surpassed the sale of 1.5 million ZEVs before 2025. It further explains that just over one-fifth of vehicles, 21% (California, 2023), sold in California were ZEVs and that “40% of ZEVs sold in the U.S. are sold in California” (California, 2023). If this trend continues, I can see California drastically reducing its emissions, leading the state to be a better steward of the planet and a great example of incentivizing residents to make changes that benefit themselves and beyond.

Update as of June 17, 2024.

Orange County is hosting its first-ever Climate Action Plan public forum at Los Olivos Community Center. Together, we can identify areas to reduce our carbon footprint and support our most vulnerable communities.

The purpose for the forum is to hear from residents on how Orange County can better enhance local services and support more environmentally friendly resources in OUR neighborhoods.

As a resident, business owner, or employee, our perspectives are invaluable in prioritizing climate reduction measures and sustainable programs in the County. The CAP, once established, will serve as a comprehensive guide for Orange County cities to implement their own climate-friendly actions.

When: Monday, June 17, 2024, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Where: Los Olivos Community Center, 101 Alfonso, Irvine, CA 92603