Climate Change

Posted: April 5th, 2020 2:59 PM

Last Updated: January 20th, 2021 8:02 PM

Aerial Image of the Earth

The global climate crisis is not one that Oakland can solve on its own, but it is one in which Oaklanders can, as we have done for decades, be global leaders. In 2018, Oakland City Council passed a Climate Emergency and Just Transition Resolution, calling for an urgent effort to reverse global warming and increase our resilience. The City is now finalizing its 2030 Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP) – a 10-year plan to reduce green house gases and adapt to a changing climate in ways that reduce racial disparities and improve well-being for all Oaklanders.

Every Oaklander can be part of the ECAP’s success. Reducing overall material consumption has profound benefits for the global climate. Every time you’re able to walk, bike, carpool, or take public transit instead of driving, you reduce emissions and pollution. Every replacement of a gas-powered appliance with an electric alternative sends a strong market signal. Eating local, plant-based foods and flying less have profound climate benefits.

We all have a role to play, both big and small, starting now from our homes.

Click each link below to access home-based and online climate change resources.

Access energy bill reduction, payment support, and efficiency programs

Access energy bill reduction programs with East Bay Community Energy, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindi

Apply to work as a Recycling Specialist or Senior Recycling Specialist for the City of Oakland

Assess your home for solar and battery backup systems and subsidies

Calculate your carbon footprint, and see related student curricula from International Student Carbon Footprint Challenge

Calculate your carbon footprint from home, transportation and waste with the US-EPA calculator

Curriculum from the Santa Cruz Climate Action Network

Find out how your food choices affect the climate with this quiz from the University of California's Carbon Neutrality Initiative

Find resources for more sustainable consumption from USDN

How sustainable is your lifestyle? Size up your footprint with this interactive quiz from the Carbon Footprint Network

Launder clothes the eco way

Learn about Oakland's Equitable Climate Action Plan (ECAP)

Learn about Oakland's Sustainability Program

Learn how your home uses energy and receive a FREE energy savings kit worth up to $70

Learn water conservation tips from EBMUD

Measure home water use with the Pacific Institute's free water and energy calculator

Play the game about what goes where for home waste disposal in Oakland

Read Drawdown's compendium of big picture climate change solutions

Reduce use of throw-away single use items - and commit to reusables

Reduce electric bills and pollution through East Bay Community Energy

Replace water-thirsty lawns with drought-tolerant and native vegetation

Save energy with these Environment America tips for each room of your house

Speak to a Home Energy Advisor and plan a home energy upgrade

Start a home compost system

Test your climate change knowledge with this EarthDay.org quiz

20 daily actions for Earth Day 2020 from Stopwaste - calendar and journal

Watch this Alameda County video about sustainable purchasing