Talking about climate change can be tough. It is scary to think about the realities of living in a changing world, and more terrifying still to consider our uncertain climate future. Here at Acterra, we believe that facing these challenges with action is key to a sustainable future. Through a combination of systemic reform and behavioral change, we believe that a greener future is possible. Yet each of us live among the 16% of Americans who deny the existence of climate change. Many of these “climate deniers” are our own friends and families. These personal relationships, some behavioral scientists say, are our greatest leverage as messengers for the planet. Global nonprofit Rare offers the following tips for engaging with climate skeptics: - Approach climate conversations through an individual’s values. Instead of focusing on changing people’s minds, we need to find common ground and meet people where they are
- Speak to their values. Do they want more American businesses and jobs? Would they love to one day live off the grid without bureaucratic restrictions? What opportunities exist to meet their values while creating climate solutions?
- Make it doable. People don’t need to immediately adopt a zero-waste lifestyle to make a difference. Gradual steps like carpooling to work and cooking veggie meals a couple of times a week are a great place to start.
Take action for the planet, and start a conversation today! |
Support Acterra's climate action programs by clicking the "donate" button above. |
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| Plant-Based Dairy Workshop |
Looking for ways to incorporate plant-based ingredients in your diet? Join our Plant-Based Dairy workshop and tasting hosted by Clorofil and Acterra. Explore the best plant-based milk, butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream for your favorite recipes! Enjoy a live induction cooking demonstration where you will learn how to incorporate plant based dairy alternatives into your everyday meals and learn tips and tricks to avoid food waste in your kitchen. You will have the opportunity to taste and engage with each other and leave with resources you can use to help guide you on your plant based journey!
Entry fee will be $10. Please send us an email if you need any accommodations. If all spots are filled, you will be placed on a waitlist. |
June 15, 11 AM – 12:30 PM Los Altos Community Center, Birch Room |
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EV Financial Incentives Clinic / Taller de incentivos financieros |
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Think you can’t afford an EV? Think again! Learn about the many financial assistance programs available to income-qualifying residents, including the Clean Cars for All grant and county-specific programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. This event will also have an EV Expo where you can check out different EV models. Sponsored by: San Jose Clean Energy. ¿Piensa que un carro eléctrico (EV) está fuera de su alcance? ¡Reconsidere! Conozca los varios programas de asistencia financiera disponibles para residentes con ingresos calificados, como el Crédito Fiscal Federal para vehículos eléctricos y la nueva subvención Carros Limpios para Todos y programas específicos del condado en el Área de la Bahía. Este evento tendrá una exposición de carros eléctricos donde podrá ver diferentes modelos. Patrocinado por: San Jose Clean Energy. |
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June 22, 10 AM – 12 PM | 22 de junio, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Mayfair Community Center, San Jose |
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| Plant Powered Summer Challenge |
Although the Plant Powered Summer Challenge has already begun, it's not too late to sign up! Join Acterra and GreenTown Los Altos for a plant-based dietary challenge during June. You will receive guidance on plant based grocery substitutes, recipes to try with your friends and family, zero food waste tips, and other resources! Our top challengers will receive a prize at the end of the challenge.
Choose the number of days you can commit, whether it's once a week for Meatless Mondays or for the entire week, and compete with friends and family while we track your success |
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Drawdown’s Neighborhood: San Francisco Bay Area Screening Celebration |
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Join local climate heroes (including Acterra's E-Mobility Associate, Irvin Rivero), community members, and supporters for the launch of Drawdown’s Neighborhood: San Francisco Bay Area, a climate solutions short documentary series (premiering in late August 2024) that passes the mic to voices that often go unheard in global climate solutions conversations. The series is presented by Project Drawdown. The event will serve as a sneak peek screening of the series (showing clips from the 7 full episodes), before the global virtual launch in late August, and celebrate some of the unsung and undersung local climate solutions heroes making the the Bay Area a better place. |
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June 26, 7 – 9 PM David Brower Center's Goldman Theater, Berkeley |
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| Garden to Plate: A Plant-Based Cooking Demo |
Join Acterra's Crystal Hernandez & Remy Rinn to discover the incredible benefits of a plant-based diet and dive into the world of nutrient-packed, delicious food. Learn about the positive impact a plant-based diet can have on your health and the environment and get involved in making a vegan recipe! After the workshop, help beautify the community gardens with a fun volunteer day. Meet your neighbors while learning new skills and helping to create a beautiful place! No gardening experience is necessary. |
July 13, 10 AM – 1 PM 6th St Greenway Community Garden, Richmond |
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State Updates We have some good news to report on the food justice front. California’s budget shortfall threatened to cut funding for Market Match, a nutrition incentive program that offers a dollar for dollar match to help residents buy fresh produce at farmer’s markets. Earlier this year Acterra joined the 200+ organization coalition called “Save Market Match,” which spoke up via petitions and letters to legislators. This strong campaign resulted in a win at the end of May of legislators reinstating funding for this valuable program in subcommittee hearings. But it’s not over yet. Please continue to urge Governor Newsom to support Market Match and the California Nutrition Incentive Program (CNIP). You can take action now by sending a message. The ACA 161 (Bryan, Kalra, and Muratsuchi, coauthors) is an amendment that would add language to the state constitution saying that Californians have a right to clean air and water and a healthy environment. It successfully passed out of the Appropriations Committee. If it were to pass, this constitutional amendment would go before voters in a statewide election. It’s not too late to voice your support for this Amendment. Call your legislators in Sacramento before the end of the week and tell them you think California should follow the likes of New York, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Pennsylvania, and other states who have already passed green constitutional amendments. On June 19, the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee is likely to vote on Sen. Becker’s SB 1374 to restore the ability of renters, schools, faith institutions, and farms to benefit from rooftop solar. This bill is an important move to undo a big misstep by CPUC when it raised a huge and unnecessary barrier to institutions exercising their right to generate solar energy from their own roofs. We have high hopes that if it passes, it will go to Appropriations, then the Assembly floor, and then on to Governor Newsom. You can take action to support SB 1374 by contacting the members of the Assembly Utilities & Energy Committee (if you are a constituent): Committee Chair Petri Norris, Asm Bauer Kahan, Asm Calderon, Asm Hart, Asm Holden, Asm Santiago, Asm Schiavo, Asm Wood, Asm Joe Patterson, Asm Chen, or Asm Zbur. And if you’re a constituent of Sen. Becker, contact his office to thank him for leading on this issue. For anyone looking to learn more about the complex and hidden process of engaging with Public Utilities Commissions, which have a lot of control over the future of the grid, a recommended resource is this recent webinar recording from Third Act. Bay Area Updates More tools have been posted to Acterra’s Code Red resource page, including the May 9 webinar Question/Answer file, chat links, speaker slide decks, and speaker contacts. The YouTube recording is also available: Please keep spreading the word. |
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| Upgrade Your Home with Peninsula Clean Energy |
Income-qualifying residents can get up to $2,000 for the purchase of a used plug-in hybrid or fully-electric vehicle. This rebate can be combined with the Federal Used Vehicle Credit from the IRS (up to $4,000), the Pre-Owned Electric Vehicle Rebate Program from PG&E (up to $4,000), or any other available incentive.
Please check that your income qualifies for this program before applying.
Learn more here. |
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Acterra's Young Professionals Program |
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Are you a recent college graduate or emerging professional looking to gain more experience while also supporting environmental initiatives? Acterra’s Young Professionals Group is the place for you! Skills you will develop: - Organization and program management
- Event planning and execution
- Outreach and relationship building
- Gain an exclusive look into how the Board of Directors operates as an invited guest at board meetings (infrequent but an option!)
Requirements: - Attend twice-monthly meetings
- Attend events as a representative of Acterra, in person within the Bay Area
- Host an annual fundraising event for Acterra’s programs
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If you are interested in this valuable opportunity, please visit this website and fill out the sign-up form! |
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Endorsed Events and Job Opportunities The Town of Atherton and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority are currently gathering feedback for the El Camino Real Complete Streets Corridor Plan to improve the 1.5-mile segment of El Camino Real from Selby Lane to Valparaiso Avenue. Give your feedback on how to improve travel options and make the corridor safer and more accessible for all of its users! Interpretation will be available for those who speak Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. June 13 from 6 – 7:30 PM. Link. How Electric Vehicles (EVs) Can Transform the Energy Landscape - Join The Climate Center and explore federal and state EV policies and new technologies that enable EVs to function as mobile batteries. Discover how EVs can lower energy costs, reduce air pollution, and enhance grid resilience. June 20 from 10 – 11:30 AM. Link. SPUR, the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association, is hiring! The Sustainability and Resilience Policy Director will lead SPUR’s work to develop and implement an agenda for climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience. This position will also manage programmatic commitments in three areas: building decarbonization, earthquake resilience, and sea level rise resilience. If you have a deep knowledge of California public policy, a commitment to environmental protection and social justice, and a passion for sustainable and resilient urban development, see more details and apply today! |
Acterra has newsletters for everyone. Our offerings include sustainable food, electric vehicles, EV charging equity, young professionals, and more. Click the "Subscribe to our Newsletters" link below and make sure to select each one you want to receive, even if you are already subscribed! |
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