Southern California Climate Action Network

Background

You might say the first phase of the campus sustainability movement - reducing our environmental and climate footprints — is reaching maturity. Within “Phase 1″, the urgent need for climate solutions has sparked a strong focus on energy and emissions reductions. Almost daily, buildings achieve LEED certification, presidents and chancellors commit to make their institutions climate neutral, and sustainability coordinator and director positions are created. Organizations and networks such as NWF’s Campus Ecology program, AASHE, and the Green Schools listserv offer resources and ideas for a diversity of projects from revolving energy efficiency funds to solar parking pavilions to student-run organic farms. The New York Times, Washington Post, and the Princeton Review have all taken notice. As the campus climate movement surfaces in the mainstream, it is important that we make time to celebrate our progress but also that we reflect on larger goals and the path ahead. To be sure, cutting carbon in the midst of rapid growth remains challenging, and the work of “Phase 1″ will continue for generations. At the same time, one must ask “What is Phase 2 of the movement and how will we get there?” Having demonstrated our capability to care about and clean up our own backyards, colleges and universities in Southern California now have a great opportunity to turn our gazes outward, use the knowledge and expertise we have generated to leverage policies and incentives that benefit both ourselves and our communities.

This is where the Southern California Climate Action Network (SoCalCAN) comes in. By drawing on our collective strengths and expertise, SoCalCAN will empower schools to make both our campuses and communities more sustainable.

SoCalCAN aims to:
1) Assist campuses in achieving goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and implement Climate Action Plans

2) Facilitate the exchange of resources and best practices that are adapted to Southern California’s particular political, economic, and geographic contexts.

3) Enable participating campuses to leverage their collective purchasing power to cut emissions, drive markets for sustainably-produced energy and products, and reduce operating costs.

4) Foster partnerships between campuses and community organizations.

5) Empower campuses to use their expertise to advocate for better climate policies

We invite you to join us for the journey ahead. Participation is open to students, faculty, staff, administrators in colleges and universities operating in the Southern California region and organizations assisting higher education in climate and sustainability solutions. If you are interested in participating in the network please contact:

Praween Dayananda
512 610 7761
DayanandaP@nwf.org