The SLO Climate Coalition will host the Climate Solutions Series II: CLIMATE ACTION THAT WORKS FOR US next week. This second in series event will feature award winning, veteran energy policy expert and author Hal Harvey. Harvey will expound on the most effective ideas in climate policy and discuss the varied outcomes of different climate policies under consideration. Following the speaker, the SLO Climate Coalition will hold a town hall style meeting for community leaders to communicate concerns and priorities as SLO heads towards carbon neutrality by 2035. This free community event will be held on Tuesday June 25 from 6-8 PM at the MINDBODY facility on Tank Farm Rd. Numerous local community advocacy groups will be in attendance.
The Climate Solutions series is an initiative of the SLO Climate Coalition, consisting of 8 volunteer core Task Force members, several city employees and elected officials and supported by a group of dedicated and talented local residents with the mission to leverage our communities expertise, creativity and resources in order to multiply San Luis Obispo’s efforts to become carbon free by 2035.
The population of San Luis Obispo is comprised of many diverse communities. These communities are, and will continue to be, affected in differing ways, not only by climate change but by any policy set in motion to mitigate it. To better understand these implications, following his address, Hal Harvey will stay and offer insight as this event provides a space for leaders from a diverse range of organizations to voice their concerns and priorities as San Luis Obispo addresses climate change.
Task force member Justin Bradshaw explains, “We’re excited to be helping SLO reach carbon neutrality by 2035. This is a huge effort with an opportunity for all residents to play a part in reaching that goal.”
Event organizer Francisco Pares elaborates, “The community of San Luis Obispo and its leadership are very engaged with the climate issues and are eager to focus their efforts toward powerful climate solutions. The goal of this event is to provide local leaders with tools and information regarding the most appropriate measures to adopt, as well as to educate and inspire the community to advocate for those measures.”
Hal Harvey, author of Designing Climate Solutions: A Policy Guide for Low-Carbon Energy and creator of the Energy Policy Simulator, is CEO of Energy Innovation. This San Francisco-based energy and environmental policy firm delivers research and meaningful analysis to policymakers globally.
Recently, Harvey set out to assist with one of the biggest hurdles in addressing the looming environmental crisis. David Roberts of Vox explained, “Climate change is such a large and sprawling problem — there are so many forces involved, so many decision makers at so many levels — that solving it can seem hopelessly complex. There are so many options available to policymakers, each with their own fierce constituencies. Where to begin? Which clean-energy policies actually work?” The tool Harvey created is called the Energy Simulator. This tool, a virtual replica of a physical economy, allows for inputs of various energy policies, while keeping track of factors and variables that differ between cities and countries, resulting in data that reflects precise effects of incremental policy change over time. This tool allows policymakers to determine the best policies for their unique economy.
According to Roberts, “Using that tool, Harvey and his team narrowed in on the policies that work, the places they work best, and the best way to design them. Their conclusions are summarized in a new book, Designing Climate Solutions: A Policy Guide for Low-Carbon Energy. It’s a compact but detailed how-to guide for developing energy policies that have real impact.”
Harvey has dedicated decades of work to improving energy policy; serving on energy panels appointed by the Bush and Clinton administrations, publishing numerous written works on energy and national security and holds positions on a variety of advisory boards and foundations dedicated to climate and energy issues.
The SLO Climate Coalition formed in 2017, in partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo, as concerned residents sought to accelerate achievable local solutions to address climate change and build a healthier, more vibrant, and sustainable community. The group has made significant gains already growing from a founding group of under 10 members to more than 100 active residents and business leaders.
The Coalition’s action teams focus on decarbonizing electricity through community choice energy,, decarbonizing buildings, decarbonizing transportation, carbon sequestration, waste reduction, and community outreach. Please join us in supporting these efforts by visiting carbonfreeslo.org, attending a Climate Solutions series event or participating in an upcoming SLO Climate Coalition meeting at the Ludwick Center. The public is always welcome.
Join us on June 25 and find out what meaningful actions YOU can take to make a real impact to protect this beautiful place for yourself, your children, your grandchildren, and the people of the future. Visit our Facebook Events page for updates facebook.com
Among the local community advocacy groups that will be in attendance are the following:
GALA
SLO Youth for Environmental Action
Food and Water Watch
Lideres Campesinas
R.A.C.E. Matters
Northern Chumash Tribal Council
People’s Self Help Housing
ECHO Shelter