Tag: Community Environmental Council (CEC)

Community Environmental Council Invites Community Members to Join UC Climate Stewards Course

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is proud to announce that enrollment is now open for the second session of the new certification course, UC Climate Stewards, which is designed to empower local community members to take clear action on climate change.

For the second cohort, CEC is seeking a diverse, 25-person group that will meet July 7 through September 15. Class sessions will be held in person at CEC’s new offices, located at 1219 State St. in Santa Barbara and will adhere to all county health guidelines. The course fee is $225, not including course materials. Full and partial scholarships are available. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival 2021 Highlights Announced; Virtual Event April 22 – 24 Gathers Community to #CelebrateClimateLeadership

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting #CelebrateClimateLeadership, a virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival dedicated to inspiration, community building, and climate action. The FREE livestream event begins on Thursday, April 22 at noon and runs until Saturday, April 24. It will be available to view at SBEarthDay.org.

The virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival – which will be fully online again this year due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions – is FREE to attend and will feature three days of conversations with climate leaders, musical performances, art contests, inspirational speakers, and opportunities for individuals to learn how they can lean into action at this urgent moment.

Earth Day Organizers to Honor Greenpeace USA’s Annie Leonard as 2021 Environmental Hero

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) proudly announces Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA, as the recipient of its 2021 Environmental Hero Award, presented as part of CEC’s Virtual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival being held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, April 22-24. The free festival is available to view at SBEarthDay.org.
Annie Leonard will join the festival on Saturday, April 24 to share insights into her vital work and accept the award in an interview with Community Environmental Council CEO Sigrid Wright and UC Santa Barbara Dehlsen Chair of Environmental Studies and Director of the Global Environmental Justice Project Dr. David N. Pellow. Check SBEarthDay.org for the confirmed time closer to the event.

Community Environmental Council Chosen as a 2020 Nonprofit of the Year

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year by District 37 Assemblywoman Monique Limón.

“For 50 years, CEC has stood out as an environmental leader, both in Santa Barbara County and across California. They understand that issues like the climate crisis are too complex and too big to be solved by a single organization and work collaboratively to treat a healthy environment as both a human right and the foundation for a thriving world,” said Assemblywoman Monique Limón. “We need the leadership of CEC to build momentum to reverse the threat of the climate crisis and safeguard our communities. Their work today is critical.”

Bilingual report — Community Environmental Council Zero Emission Vehicle Equity Grant Focuses on Extremely Low- or No-Cost Leased or Used Electric Vehicles to Accelerate Transportation Justice

Electrify America awarded Ecology Action and its partners (Community Environmental Council (CEC), GreenPower, and Regenerción) funding to help residents secure electric vehicle (EV) rebates to get more clean driving, low-maintenance vehicles on the road over the next 16 months.

This equity-focused EV initiative highlights the very affordable ($100/month) – even FREE for some – used and leased EV options available here on the Central Coast and across California. The Central Coast EV Equity team will guide income-qualified residents through the rebate process with direct personal assistance, easy to follow website instructions, and other digital support.

Bilingual report — Community Environmental Council Expands Climate Justice Efforts with Community Ambassadors

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to share the critical work of two new staff members who are expanding CEC’s climate justice efforts and building climate resilience among vulnerable communities on the Central Coast: Community Ambassadors Ana Rico and Alhan Diaz-Correa.

Ana Rico was raised in Santa Barbara’s Eastside neighborhood. Over the past 30 years, she experienced many traffic dangers as a pedestrian, including a pivotal moment when she and her three kids were nearly struck by a vehicle on their daily walk to school. This experience sparked Ana’s career as a community advocate; ever since she has been committed to engaging and working hand-in-hand with frontline communities to develop truly sustainable solutions to climate change.

CEC’s Solarize Program Sets One Megawatt Solar Goal for Regional Nonprofit Agencies

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) announced a goal of achieving one megawatt of solar on regional nonprofit agencies by 2023, and has expanded their successful Solarize Nonprofit program to Ventura County to support this move toward a carbon neutral community. Nonprofits that own their buildings or are in long-term leases are encouraged to see if the no upfront cost program fits for them at SolarizeNonprofit.org. 

CEC Joins Born This Way Foundation for its Third Annual “#BeKind21” Campaign

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation on Aug. 19, with support from 165 additional partners, announced the launch of Born This Way Foundation’s third annual #BeKind21 Campaign. As communities across the world face the trauma of a pandemic, the ongoing racial inequalities, and a host of global challenges, this year’s campaign has been uniquely designed to be responsive to today’s movements, showcasing that kindness is not an empty gesture; rather, kindness is a verb. To be kind is to speak up. To be kind is to prioritize your mental wellness. To be kind is to advocate for a world that values, validates, and respects all people.

CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara with Webinar on Solar and Battery Storage

The Community Environmental Council (CEC) announced the launch of this year’s Solarize Santa Barbara – a community-led, group purchasing program for solar and battery storage systems open to residents of Southern Santa Barbara County from July 28 – October 31. CEC’s 2020 program is offered in partnership with the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta and Carpinteria, and the County of Santa Barbara.

Bilingual report — Community Invited to Take Action on Local Transportation System Reform

The Community Environmental Council (CEC), in partnership with Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and Just Communities, invites the community to participate in online and phone listening sessions as part of their Connected 2050/Conectados 2050 long-range planning effort.

The public is invited to request a listening session by visiting the Connected2050.org (English) or Conectados2050.org (Spanish) website. The public can also sign up to get updates and give input by texting “CONNECT” to (833) 956-0921.

Community Environmental Council Announces #TogetherWeEarthrise Earth Day Live Festival on April 22

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Kenny Loggins, Glen Phillips, more to perform at 50th anniversary event; Former Vice President Al Gore, other celebrities, environmentalists to speak SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is hosting #TogetherWeEarthrise Earth Day Live…

Sept. 3 — Bilingual report — CEC Gathers with Frontline and Essential Workers, Indigenous Communities to Address Local Climate Resilience

The Community Environmental Council (CEC), in collaboration with Central Coast Climate Justice Network, Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP), Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians Environmental Office, will co-host Climate Resilience Roundtable: Historias de resiliencia desde las primeras líneas del cambio climático / Stories of Resilience from the Frontlines of Climate Change on Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Earth Day Organizers to Honor 2019 Environmental Heroes Acting on the Climate Crisis

Click here for the entire e-newsletter   Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson to present awards to celebrity environmentalist and student activist SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) proudly announces the recipients of its 2019 Environmental Hero Award: Author Suzy Amis Cameron, and…

Community Environmental Council Announces Launch of Electric Drive 805

Regional Coalition Seeks to Increase Access to Electric Vehicles SANTA BARBARA — Community Environmental Council (CEC) is proud to announce the launch of “Electric Drive 805,” a new coalition of local government agencies and nonprofits that will lead local efforts to…

Community Environmental Council Welcomes New Council Members and Interns in Support of Work for a Healthy and Green Community

Click here for the entire media release   CEC invites in strong environmental advocates to support in local climate resilience work SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) is pleased to announce new additions to its President’s Council, Partnership Council, and…

CEC Launches Solarize Santa Barbara

Solarize program takes a new step to include energy storage options. Workshops to be held June 6, July 11 SANTA BARBARA — The Community Environmental Council (CEC) announced the launch of Solarize Santa Barbara – a community-led, solar group-purchasing program for residents…

Earth Day Organizers Announces Environmental Heroes: Oxnard water activist Florencia Ramirez & Ocean Conservationists SeaLegacy

Earth Day Organizers Announce 2018 Environmental Hero & Youth Award Recipients and Activities for a “Climate Resilient” Future. Legendary singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins to play and copresent awards with Congressman Salud Carbajal SANTA BARBARA —  The Community Environmental Council (CEC) proudly announces the…

Local

SANTA BARBARA — Foodbank of Santa Barbara County is holding its “Share Your Lunch” campaign from May 1 through 31. The program enables the community to help close the summer food gap by donating the amount one might typically spend…