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Uniting the Central Coast for Action!

Unchecked global warming continues to affect the cities and counties within the Central Coast, and our communities must do their part to counteract it. Climate action planning that establishes goals and actions designed for our unique communities is the most effective way to drive down our greenhouse gas emissions.

In this latest session of the Central Coast Climate Action Summit Series, leading Central Coast organizations come together to help energize regional climate action sustainability efforts. Participants, whether new to climate action planning or in the middle of implementation, will gain insight into equitable solutions, while networking with colleagues throughout the region.

This forum will include public officials and staff, non-profits, businesses and academic administrations.

As a participant, you will learn about resources and planning tools designed to make the work of creating, adopting, and implementing climate action plans easier, faster, and affordable. Our goal is to ensure you have the tools you need to develop a roadmap for taking climate action planning to the next level in your City or County, and a vision for implementation.

Program Schedule

8:30 - 8:35am — Welcome

• Benjamin Eichert, Director, Greenpower

8:35 - 8:45am — Chumash Welcome Song & Event Blessing

• Hua Anwar, Chumash Elder
• Kanyon "Coyote Woman" Sayers-Roods, Ohlone & Chumash Indigenous Consultant

8:45 - 9:10am — Trailblazers

• Heidi Harmon, Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo
• Chris Read, Sustainability Manager, City of San Luis Obispo
• Teresa McClish, Special Projects Manager, City of San Luis Obispo

9:10 - 9:55am — Climate Action In Motion

• Mayor Donna Meyers and Tiffany Wise-West, City of Santa Cruz
• Supervisor Wendy Root-Askew and Ashley Paulsworth, County of Monterey
• Councilmember Francisco Estrada and Steve Palmisano, City of Watsonville
• Michelle Sevilla and Garrett Wong, County of Santa Barbara
• Mayor Jose Rios and Rene Mendez, City of Gonzales

9:55 - 10:00am — Break

10:00 - 10:50am — Legislation, Funding & Planning Tools

• Neil Matouka, Air Pollutions Specialist, CARB
• Jon Griesser, Director of Energy Programs, 3CE
• Ashley Paulsworth, Sustainability Program Manager, County of Monterey
• Amaury Berteaud, Special Projects Manager, AMBAG
• Lauren Bell, Organizer, SLO Climate Coalition
• Kirsten Liske, Vice President of Community Programs, Ecology Action

10:50 - 11:50am — Breakout Rooms

• Tiffany Wise-West, Sustainability & Climate Action Manager, City of Santa Cruz
• Chris Reed, Sustainability Manager, City of San Luis Obispo
• Adrienne Greve, Professor, Planning & Climate Change, CalPoly SLO
• Kirsten Liske, Vice President of Community Programs, Ecology Action
• Lacey Raak, Sustainability Director, Office of Inclusive Excellence and Sustainability, CSUMB

11:50 - 12:00pm — Roadmap & Closing Thoughts

• Benjamin Eichert, Director, Greenpower

Over the last year, COVID-19 has created a public health crisis and an economic crisis. As cities and counties design economic recovery plans, there is tremendous opportunity for accelerating the rate of economic recovery through the adoption of sustainable solutions.

Climate planning IS economic recovery planning. It allows us to:

• Reimagine thriving local industries
• Face challenges with collaborative solutions
• Engage our communities with equity at the core

We will connect you with many voices, including regional trailblazers who are already doing this vital work. Together, we can set the agenda for real climate action on the Central Coast. Join us!

Our gratitude goes out to our partners: Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, CSUMB, Central Coast Climate Collaborative, Ecology Action, SLO Climate Coalition and Community Environmental Council. Thank you!