The goal of the Climate Ambassador Program is to improve resident knowledge of and engagement around climate efforts. Participants will be encouraged to have conversations with members of their community and share input on how Elk Grove can be healthier, more sustainable and resilient. Climate Ambassadors use their existing knowledge and gain additional understanding of topics around climate change, environmental justice, equity, renewable energy, clean transportation, water conservation, and recycling and waste. These efforts will help to develop a more community and equity focused Climate Compass and support greater community participation in reaching the climate goals.
Meeting Materials
If you missed an in-person meeting, view the slides from past meetings:
- 9/25/2023 Orientation
- 12/11/2023 Meeting
- 2/20/2024 Workshop
- 3/20/2024 Recycling & Waste Training
About the Program
What is a Climate Ambassador?
The Climate Ambassador program is part of Elk Grove’s Climate Action Plan update, titled Climate Compass: A Plan for Implementing Elk Grove’s Climate, Sustainability, and Resilience Goals. The Climate Compass should reflect the priorities of Elk Grove residents and businesses, so it is important that we hear from members of the community as much as possible. Climate Ambassadors will help us accomplish that.
What is the Climate Compass?
The Climate Action Plan is a comprehensive roadmap for addressing climate change while supporting sustainability and resilience in Elk Grove. The Climate Compass is the name for this update of Elk Grove’s 2019 Climate Action Plan. The purpose of the Climate Compass is to identify measures and approaches that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help the City adapt to the current impacts of climate change. Proposed policies will cover sources of GHG emissions like building energy, on-road transportation, off-road vehicles/ equipment, and waste and recycling.
What does a Climate Ambassador do?
Climate Ambassadors are residents of Elk Grove and active members of the community. They will attend neighborhood meetings and community events to share information on climate change impacts and solutions. They will help gauge concerns, surface ideas, and understand attitudes about climate change in our city, and provide consolidated input to the City, through having conversations about climate change with other residents – their family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Their feedback will help create a community-informed Climate Compass.
What kind of role does a Climate Ambassador have?
Climate Ambassadors have an important role within the city. They serve as educators for residents and local organizations who are interested in learning more. They are also listeners who provide input and feedback to the City on their interactions with the community. However, they aren’t expected to know everything but can provide contact information for City staff as needed.
Resources
The resources below are provided to help with gaining additional information to support outreach efforts by Climate Ambassadors. They are grouped into various topic areas to be addressed by the Climate Compass.
General Climate Change
Elk Grove/ Regional Specific Climate Impacts
- Community Mobility Resilience Plan - This Plan was adopted in 2021 and provides details of the specific climate change impacts that will be seen by Elk Grove over the coming century.
- Climate Change Impacts in California's Central Valley - This article from the Union of Concerned Scientists highlights specific impacts to California's Central Valley region due to climate change.
Environmental Justice
- U.S. EPA Environmental Justice - Provides overview of what is environmental justice.
- U.S. Civil Rights Commission - From 1994, but provides useful information on the history of the environmental justice movement.
- Science Direct - Provides a curated list of articles on Environmental Justice from various scientific reference books.
- Columbia University - An article on how low-income and communities of color are hardest hit by climate change.
Buildings & Land Use
- U.S. EPA Energy Information - Links to information on clean energy, the electrical system and reducing emissions from the power sector.
- Clean Power Alternatives - Discusses five options for alternatives to fossil fuel for electricity generation.
- U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit - A discussion of how planning and land use can impact resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Our Electric Future - Why switching from gas to electric is better for your health and the planet (video). Or watch in Spanish.
- The Power of Wind - How do wind turbines work (video)? Or watch in Spanish.
- Building and Home Energy Resource Hub - A comprehensive resource page with guidance for homeowners looking to decarbonize their homes.
Transportation
- Climate Action - This U.S. Department of Transportation page identifies how climate change is impacting the transportation sector, and efforts to address transportation sector emissions.
- Is an Electric Vehicle Right for You? - The benefits of driving an electric vehicle (video).
Water/ Wastewater
- U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit - The Climate Resilience Toolkit is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This page discusses the challenges, and opportunities related to wastewater treatment in the U.S.
Recycling & Waste
- CalRecycle Organics - Learn about the importance of organics and green waste recycling, and how it helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Damage of Landfills - The University of Colorado Boulder provides information on the negative environmental impacts of landfills.
Agriculture
- Environmental Impact of Agriculture - A discussion on the interconnectedness of agriculture and climate change.