Climate Mitigation and Adaptation News
May 2, 2018
A biweekly newsletter of the Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative
Don't miss the upcoming Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative   webinar on extreme heat and urban heat islands in the Sacramento region. You'll learn about how extreme heat affects health and local communities, as well as current and future initiatives to address extreme heat.

Join CRC for our next quarterly adaptation exchange on the impacts of transportation and heat to our region's air quality! The workshop will be taking place Thursday, May 24th from 1:00 - 4:00 PM at the Sacramento County Primary Care Center. Register today! Register today!

The California Adaptation Forum (August 27-29) is looking for your ideas for exciting tours around the Sacramento region to highlight on-the-ground adaptation initiatives and climate-smart innovations, such as zero-net energy buildings, active transportation corridors, community revitalization projects, and more. Please contact Khrystyna Platte (kplatte@lgc.org) with ideas.
News
Sacramento region gets 'F' for worsening air quality
In a report from the American Lung Association, Sacramento ranks 5th in the US for ozone pollution, up from 8th place in 2017. Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, and Sutter County also received F grades, while Yolo County received a D. The worsening air quality is primarily due to heat waves and emissions from cars, buses, trucks, and freight vehicles, according to the Lung Association. Parts of the Sacramento region have seen bad ozone days increase by an average of 9 days, bringing the total up to nearly a month. ( SacBee)
Climate change will make California's drought-flood cycle more volatile, study finds
Photo: David Butow / For the Times
Californians should expect more dramatic swings between dry and wet years, according to a new study that found it likely the state will be hit by devastating, widespread flooding in coming decades. Such swings between severe drought and intense storms will increase the threat to aging dams and flood-control networks, increase wildfire risk, and make water management more challenging. By the end of the century, California will experience a 100%-200% increase in very wet years similar to the 2016-2017 season, while the frequency of serial storms on the scale of 1862 will increase 300%-400%. The rainy season will shorten as less precipitation falls in the autumn and spring, but average annual precipitation should remain the same. ( LA Times)
Turning cities into sponges: how Chinese ancient wisdom is taking on climate change
Photo: NGV
How does a city cope with extreme weather? For Kongjian Yu, one of the world's leading landscape architects, the answer actually lies in the past. Yu is famous for reintroducing ancient Chinese water systems to modern design, transforming some of China's most industrialised cities into standard bearers of green architecture. He is best known for his "sponge cities", which use soft material and terraces to capture water which can then be used for irrigation, aquifer recharge, and other uses, rather than concrete and steel materials. When it comes to water, the mottos of the sponge city are: "Retain, adapt, slow down and reuse." Yu's strategies are "based on peasant farming techniques, adapting peasant irrigation systems to urban environments and experience in adapting buildings to a monsoon climate". ( Guardian)
California mudslides: as wealthy town recovers, undocumented are left behind
Photo: Jae C Hong/AP
Normalcy is returning to Montecito after the devastating mudslides, but one segment of the population is struggling to recover: the largely Latino service workers - maids, nannies, gardeners, caregivers, cooks, waiters, busboys - who earn near minimum wages and live in the shadows, paycheck to paycheck. Many recently returned to work after enforced layoffs and discovered they would not be paid for any lost time. Private aid from residents are welcome but do not offset systemic forces that marginalise service and agricultural workers, forces amplified by the natural disasters. "There is a huge class divide. The gardeners and maids and others who make this city thrive are still struggling. We feel there hasn't been enough support." ( Guardian)
Conservation in an irrevocably changed world
Photo: John Decker
The obscure Delta smelt, which lives in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, is likely to become the  first fish to go extinct in the wild while protected by the Endangered Species Act. Its fate reveals how laws designed to protect individual species do not sufficiently consider the tangled web of connections between changing habits, native species, and introduced organisms. ( Link)
SMUD crews provide mutual aid in Puerto Rico
In January of 2018, with large swaths of the island still without power after Hurricane Maria, IBEW 1245 members from Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) were called upon to assist with the restoration efforts. The SMUD linemen were among 800 electrical workers from 29 different utilities who came from the mainland to provide mutual aid. The SMUD crews worked tirelessly in Puerto Rico, seven days a week for 12 or more hours each day. They had just one single day off, about halfway through their month-long assignment. ( Link)
The new green grid: Utilities deploy 'virtual power plants'
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
By bundling together disparate energy-efficient buildings, distributed renewable energy generation, and battery storage into a linked network, a growing number of companies in the U.S. and Europe are helping utilities balance the grid, supply low-cost renewable electricity, and reduce energy demand at peak hours. In one PG&E pilot project, an array of aggregated assets - including battery storage, electric vehicles, and more - are participating in the wholesale electricity market, just like a conventional power plant. The idea is to show that virtual power plants can provide flexible, fast-responding power services to the grid to help plug the intermittent supply gaps from wind and solar power, akin to a gas-fired peaker plant. ( Yale 360)
Which works better: climate fear, or climate hope? Well, it's complicated
According to a new study, to attempt to either scare or inspire people on climate change "simultaneously oversimplifies the rich base of research on emotion while overcomplicating the very real communications challenge advocates face." Like a patient who's given both a diagnosis and a course of treatment, people respond better to risks when given both a reason and a way to act. To communicate effectively, know your audience and what's relevant to them. Parsing people's needs and sensitivities is critical in any form of communication, but particularly when it comes to talking about climate science, with its great technical complexity, profound personal impact, and political polarization. ( Guardian)
Tools and Resources
Los Angeles Shared-Mobility Climate and Equity Action Plan
A new report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, endorsed by the city of Los Angeles, offers cutting-edge recommendations for tackling L.A.'s notorious transportation challenges, as technology in the form of rides-on-demand and autonomous vehicles revolutionizes how people move around in cities. The Plan presents a first-of-its-kind policy framework for how shared mobile can better help cities cut climate pollution and increase access to transportation in historically underserved communities. The report takes into account the effects of ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft on congestion and the environment, the need for more infrastructure for electric cars and buses, the rapid development of autonomous vehicles, and embedded transportation structures that have neglected low-income communities. ( Link)
ISeeChange Community & Weather Journal - Community Climate Science
ISeeChange  is a suite of tools from NOAA, NASA, and other partners to empower communities to observe how weather and climate affect their environment. From documenting nuisance flooding to urban heat islands, ISeeChange tools can help communities develop their own baseline data and participate in adaptation decisions. The ISeeChange  Almanac  is a national online platform for members to post what they notice changing in the environment and the impacts. Each post is synced with weather and climate data to investigate bigger picture climate trends. The ISeeChange   Tracker  is a collaboration with NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory Mission that allows members to follow investigations over time and help NASA ground truth the details that earth observation satellites can't see from space - including the impact of weather and climate on our daily lives. ISeeChange  Community Investigations  allow local civic groups, neighborhoods, and citizen science groups to call communities into action to document specific investigations over time and sync posts with their own custom data.
Upcoming Opportunities
Provide input on locations for Sacramento's new bike share hubs!
JUMP bike share is coming to the Sacramento region in spring 2018. JUMP will be launching an all-electric bike share system in the cities of Davis, Sacramento, and West Sacramento (including the CSUS and UC Davis campuses). There will be 900 bikes throughout the region. Community members are encouraged to provide feedback on potential hub locations using the JUMP interactive map.   This project is made possible by SACOG. ( Link)
State Adaptation Clearinghouse: Provide feedback on the beta version
Through the   Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program, the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) is developing a State Adaptation Clearinghouse. OPR is currently conducting beta testing of the Clearinghouse database, and would like to receive your input. They are seeking feedback on functionality, ease of use, and any gaps in resources. OPR's goal is to ensure that the Clearinghouse is easy to navigate and provides relevant resources across a diverse set of user needs. See the Clearinghouse database and then   provide feedback.
PG&E: Better Together Resilient Communities Grant Program
PG&E established the Better Together Resilient Grant Program to invest $2 million over five years - or $400,000 per year - in shareholder-funded grants to support local initiatives to build greater climate resilience throughout Northern and Central California. In 2018, PG&E is requesting grant proposals around the theme of increased extreme heat events. Eligible projects include research, planning or demonstration projects that better prepare communities for a future with more frequent and extreme heat events. Eligible applicants must have a local government within PG&E's northern and central California service area as a partner. Deadline: May 11. ( Link)
AARP Community Challenge
The AARP Community Challenge funds quick-action projects that promote livable communities for people of all ages. For 2018, the Challenge will prioritize projects that deliver transportation and mobility options that increase connectivity, walkability, bikeability and/or and transit access; create vibrant public places that improve open spaces, parks and access to other amenities; and support affordable and accessible housing. Applications are open to nonprofit community organizations and government entities; other types of organizations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Deadline: May 16. ( Link)
Wildlife Conservation Board: Grant Proposal Solicitation for Climate Adaptation Program
The Wildlife Conservation Board is making available $20 million through its new Climate Adaptation Program - the first cap-and-trade program dedicated to climate adaptation in natural spaces. Funds are to be used for climate adaptation and resiliency projects that will result in enduring benefits to wildlife. Eligible activities include conservation easements, long-term conservation agreements, technical assistance, urban-rural coordination, and planning. The deadline for submitting a mandatory pre-application is May 18. ( Link)
2017-2018 funding available for Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program
The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program is now accepting applications for both Agricultural Conservation Easement grants, which protect important agricultural lands under threat of conversion, and Strategy and Outcome grants, which design and implement agricultural land conservation strategies that reduce GHG emissions through the long-term protection of agricultural lands under threat of conversion. The pre-proposal deadline is May 22. ( Link)
CARB: One-Stop-Shop Pilot Project Grant Solicitation
The Air Resources Board is opening a grant solicitation for an administrator to develop and maintain a single application for low-income consumers to apply and qualify for CARB's Low Carbon Transportation Equity Projects (e.g. Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program Plus-Up). The Grantee will also provide coordinated community-based outreach and education to maximize program participation and promote advanced technology vehicle adoption in disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households. Applications must be submitted in person or delivered by 5pm, May 24. ( Link)
Submit nominations for the second California Regional Adaptation Leadership Award
The American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) Regional Adaptation Leadership Award (RALA) recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in the climate change adaptation field through exceptional leadership. It recognizes the fact that deliberate, proactive adaptation, preparedness, and resilience-building is a change process, a deviation from business-as-usual, and a courageous act of doing something new and different. Nominate California adaptation leaders for the award by May 25, 2018. ( Link)
Draft Climate Change Guidance for Sustainable Groundwater Management Program
The Department of Water Resources has released its draft guidance document and datasets to help groundwater sustainability agencies and other stakeholders to incorporate climate change considerations into mandatory groundwater sustainability plans. The comment period for the guidance document and the dataset is open until May 31, 2018. Please submit comments to Tyler.Hatch@water.ca.gov ( Link)
Free Technical Assistance for Active Transportation Program Cycle 4 Funding
California Walks is offering free one-on-one technical assistance to help communities most in need participate and compete in Cycle 4 of the Active Transportation Program. Projects must benefit disadvantaged communities. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis; please complete this survey by June 15.
Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program (EEM) 2018 grant cycle
The program offers grants to local, state, and federal governmental agencies as well as nonprofit organizations for projects to mitigate environmental impacts caused by new or modified transportation facilities. Grants are generally limited to $500,000 for development projects and up to $1 million for acquisition projects. Deadline: June 20, 5pm. ( Link)
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Mini Grant Program
SACOG will award mini-grants of up to $3,000 per project in support of small events and non-infrastructure programs or projects that encourage biking, walking, riding transit, carpooling, vanpooling and teleworking, as options for reducing car trips and vehicles miles traveled. Projects that focus on testing a new strategy or tactic for changing travel behavior will be prioritized. Applications considered on a rolling basis until $30,000 has been awarded for each of two application phases. The first phase will run from January 16 through June 30, 2018. The second phase will open July 15 through December 31, 2018. ( Link)
Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Grants: Small-Scale Water Efficiency Projects
This Small-Scale Water Efficiency Project grant opportunity supports specific small-scale water efficiency projects that have been prioritized through planning efforts led by the applicant. These projects conserve and use water more efficiently; mitigate conflict risk in areas at a high risk of future water conflict; and accomplish other benefits that contribute to water supply reliability in the western United States. Deadline July 31, 2018. ( Link)
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Energy Democracy
Friday, May 4, 10.15-11.45am
Energy democracy is an emerging movement that frames the struggle of working people, low-income communities, and communities of color to take control of energy resources and use those resources to empower their communities. Energy poverty is a shocking political reality in the US and is more important than ever to combat as we face the impacts of climate change. The webinar will be led by Denise Fairchild, president of the Emerald Cities Collaborative. ( Register)
Interdisciplinary Research Catalyst: Conversations in Community and Citizen Science
Monday, May 7, 9am-4pm
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, 254 Old Davis Rd., Davis
Join the UC Davis Office of Research for a workshop dedicated to a full day of learning, discussion, and networking activities among faculty members and researchers. Attendees will explore how to incorporate citizen and community science into their research as a powerful tool for science, outreach, and engagement. ( Register)
Fire and the Future of California Forests
Tuesday, May 8, 3.30-5pm
Citizen Hotel, J Street, Sacramento
California fires burned over 1 million acres in 2017, setting records for the most destructive wildfire season in state history. Longer, more frequent droughts and higher temperatures caused by climate change are exacerbating conditions for such mega fires. These disasters threaten life and property while spreading environmental devastation, smoke and air pollution, with especially severe health consequences for those with asthma, the very young and the elderly. Join Stanford scholars for this research briefing that will explore wildfire in California, linkages between fires and public health, and innovative methods for protecting and preserving forests. ( Register)
Alt Car Expo: Light-Duty ZEVs (Morning) and Medium-/Heavy-Duty ZEVs (Lunch)
Wednesday, May 9, 8-10am and 11am-1.15pm
Sutter Club, 1220 9th Street, Sacramento
In the morning, the Sacramento Clean Cities Coalition is hosting a breakfast and ride-and-drive on the benefits, opportunities, and best practices of integrating light-duty zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) into your fleet. The lunch session focuses on the latest technology in medium- and heavy-duty ZEVs, as well as grant writing tips that can help you win funding for your fleet. Both sessions will cover the choice between leasing versus buying, financial incentives and funding opportunities, charging systems, and fleet operations. (Register for breakfast or lunch)
Opportunities at the Urban-Rural Transect: Policy & Partnership Update
Wednesday, May 9, 1.30-3pm
Policy decisions in the next five to ten years will shape whether our forests and watersheds can withstand the impacts of a changing climate. This webinar will focus on critical climate and natural resource policies facing California voters and legislators in the next few months, including two 2018 statewide ballot measures that would bring enormous funding to the Sierra-Cascade region for forest health, climate resilience, and watershed protection projects. The Sierra CAMP team will give an overview of several climate bills and budget proposals in the legislature, and there will also be an update from Jonathan Parfrey, of the Los Angeles Regional Collaborative, to provide the urban perspective on climate policy and opportunities. ( Register)
Online Course: Hazard Mitigation Planning Fundamentals
May 9 and 10, 10am-noon
Hazard mitigation planning affects everyone and at all levels of government, and having plans in place for your community and yourself personally is key to surviving a disaster. It is important to: (1) enact preventative measures that reduce or eliminate risk from hazards, and (2) help communities recover more quickly post-disaster. This 4-hour online course, presented over two 2-hour webinars, will introduce professionals to the main concepts of hazard mitigation planning and connect them to tools to initiate effective planning in their communities. ( Register)
Webinar: Urban Heat Pollution in the Capital Region
Thursday, May 10, 11am-noon
Extreme heat exposure is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US. Heat is already impacting the Capital Region, and ED visits and heat-related deaths in the Sacramento region are higher than the state average. Furthermore, this heat exacerbates the phenomenon known as the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon that has multiple implications for our communities. The webinar will introduce the topic of urban heat and its implications for the Capital Region, delve into the impacts of heat on the human body and communities at large, and present current and future initiatives to better address the effects of heat. ( Register)
Webinar: City-Utility Partnerships for a Cleaner Energy Future
Thursday, May 10, 11am-noon
Expanding energy efficiency and demand side management, adding more renewable energy, and shifting the fuel mix of the local electric grid have emerged as critical strategies for cities striving to achieve ambitious climate goals. In this webinar, the Alliance for a Sustainable Future highlights how city-utility partnerships in Salt Lake City and North Carolina are engaging their communities and charting a course to a cleaner and smarter energy future. ( Register)
Sustainable Community Planning: Telling the Story
Thursday, May 10, 5pm
Curtis Hall, Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th Street, Sacramento
Sustainable community planning results in economic opportunities, improved public health, affordable housing, myriad transportation options, climate solutions, and a host of other benefits. How do we spread this good news? Todd Litman, founder and executive director of Victoria Transport Institute, travels the world to promote sustainable alternatives and share his vast knowledge of solutions and benefits. ( Link)
Community Meeting on Funding Guidelines for Agencies that Administer California Climate Investments
Friday, May 11, 10am-noon
CalEPA Headquarters Sierra Hearing Room, 1001 I Street, Sacramento
You are invited to provide input on the California Air Resources Board's Draft Revised 2018 Funding Guidelines for Agencies that Administer California Climate Investments, as well as supplemental materials. Your input will help inform these funding guidelines, which are used by agencies as they develop programs, select projects, and report back to the public on the meaningful benefits being achieved in communities across the State. Also webcast. ( Link)
Climate Change Adaptation & Resilience Leadership Series: Innovations in Climate Solutions
Wednesday, May 16, 10.15-11.45am
To take the action needed to thrive in a climate changed future, we need to design, develop, and implement a host of innovative technologies and processes. Successful climate solutions innovation will require cross-sector collaboration between producers and users, and an accelerated pace of technological innovation, scaling, and transfer. In this webinar, hear from leaders who are pushing the limits of technology and process innovation to further climate action. Watch the first webinar in the series here. ( Register)
Keeping History Above Water: West
Thursday, May 17, 10am-5pm
MacArthur Park, Palo Alto, CA
How can communities identify, prioritize, and adapt historic places to threats posed by climate change and natural disasters? This day-long workshop covers climate change adaptation concepts and projects specific to cultural resources. Showcasing local, regional, and nationwide case studies, participants will become equipped with tools to integrate into their own practices. Topics will include cultural resource vulnerability assessments, FEMA policies and Local Hazard Mitigation Plans, design solutions, inventorying, risk communication, and existing institutional and policy barriers. Small group discussions will also foster a greater collective understanding of existing historic resource resiliency challenges. Cost: $85. ( Register)
The Dynamics of PEVs in the Secondary Market and their Implications for Vehicle Demand, Durability, and Emissions
Thursday, May 17, 10am
Coastal Hearing Room, 2nd floor, Cal/EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento
Understanding the development of the used plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) market in California and identifying factors that influence its future growth are key to achieving equity, greenhouse gas, and air quality goals. If California seeks to broaden the used PEV market, lower-income buyers must be brought into the market. ( Link)
Webinar: Sustainability in the City of Plano, Texas
Thursday, May 17, 11am-noon
The City of Plano, Texas, has used the Star Community Rating System outcomes to identify priorities for sustainability initiatives that also support its comprehensive plan. Learn how the city collaborated with employers, planners and university personnel to address environmental challenges related to mobility and air quality and implement solutions strengthening the city's commitment to enhancing health, prosperity and the well-being of its residents and business community. ( Register)
CRC Quarterly Adaptation Exchange: Air Quality, Health, and Transportation
Thursday, May 24, 1-4pm
Sacramento County Primary Care Center | 4600 Broadway, Second Floor Room PCC2020, Sacramento
In the recently released State of the Air 2018 Report by the American Lung Association, the Capital Region received poor marks for air quality. Poor air quality has significant negative health implications, particularly for our most under-resourced and vulnerable community members, and is also exacerbated by extreme heat - a primary climate risk facing our region. 

However, there are many strategies that can be undertaken that can simultaneously improve air quality, reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, and build resilience to climate change. Join us for this meeting where we will feature presentations and a panel discussion on the drivers of poor air quality in the Capital Region, including heat and transportation, as well as opportunities and solutions to improve air quality and climate resilience. (Register)
Business of Local Energy Symposium 2018
June 4-5, Sacramento
Join Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) experts from across the state for a day-long event about accelerating CCA adoption, sharing best practices, and creating more benefits for our communities. A pre-symposium workshop on June 4th will focus on distributed energy resource projects that build local resilience, provide unique customer services, and contribute to local economic development. ( Link)
Save the date for the 3rd California Adaptation Forum
August 28-29, 2018, Sacramento, CA
Join the Local Government Commission and the State of California at the 3rd California Adaptation Forum taking place August 28-29 (with pre-forum workshops on August 27), 2018, in Downtown Sacramento. The Forum gathers a multidisciplinary audience of 600+ climate leaders to foster knowledge exchange, innovation, and mutual support to transition from adaptation awareness to planning and action through a series of engaging plenaries, sessions, workshops, networking activities, and more. ( Link)
About the Capital Region Climate  Readiness  Collaborative
The Capital Region Climate Readiness Collaborative is a membership based collaborative network designed to promote greater climate change resilience planning coordination in the six-county Sacramento Region. The purpose of this collaborative network is to create a forum where leaders from government, academia, environmental and community groups, the business community, and labor can come together to exchange information, identify vulnerabilities and data gaps, leverage resources, and advance comprehensive solutions in an effort to create stronger, sustainable, and economically viable communities in the Capital Region.

The CRC is a program of the Local Government Commission.