San Jose, CA

Mayor: Chuck Reed

Date of Adoption:
2005-06-10

Primary Contact:
David Marsland
Annie Stauffer

Why My City is Cool

The City of San Jose is cool because it signed and ratified the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement this past March, and in early June the City Council unanimously passed greenhouse gas reduction goals for city operations that are the most ambitious in the country beginning with 25% below 1990 levels by 2012 and ramping up to 80% below 1990 levels by 2045! (See 6/05/07 City Council Agenda Synopsis for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goals). The City of San Jose has become a leader in addressing both environmental and economic challenges through its bold 10-point Green Vision Plan.

The Sierra Club Cool Cities San Jose team is a coalition of organizations and citizens working together to support the City in its efforts to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions and to extend that effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions city-wide.

Over the next few months, the team's main emphasis will be on building awareness in the community and business about climate change and its effects on San Jose.

What can you do to help address climate change in our area?

1. Take action in your community:

* Join Cool Cities San Jose (email CoolCitiesSanJose@yahoo.com).
Join our yahoo group
Strengthen the team by actively participating. Our meetings are held on the second Tuesday evening of the month. However, our August 2008 meeting is a collaborative event with the Guadalupe Chapter of the Sierra Club, and is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at 7:30 PM, at the Saratoga Library. Please join us; no RSVP is required.

* Speak out to City officials about your concerns. Applaud the Mayor for his Green Vision, a bold 10-point plan that lays the foundation for a clean, smart energy future and healthy economy for San Jose, which was unanimously approved by the City Council on October 30, 2007.
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/Agenda/103007/103007_09.01.pdf

* Spread the word to others in your circle -- organize a workshop and invite a Climate Project Presenter or a notable climate scientist to present at your school, social group or faith group

* Be a champion for reducing the carbon footprint of the institutions in which you're involved

* Support local organizations such as The Greenbelt Alliance, Acterra, Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, and others both locally and nationally, working to develop better environmental policies and practices

2. Challenge your place of business to:

* Pledge with Sustainable Silicon Valley to reduce its carbon footprint

* Develop leading-edge policies that support commute alternatives

* Evaluate purchasing and solid waste practices to maximize recycled content and minimize waste

* Check out the City of San Jose's educational programs

3. Lead by your own actions:

* Evaluate your own carbon footprint using a carbon calculator such as Cool It!

* Walk, bike or use public transit whenever possible. 511.org provides information on the best way from here to there using public transit.

* Reduce home energy use. PG&E offers tips to make your home more energy-efficient. Acterra's Green@Home program sends trained volunteers to your home for FREE to install energy saving devices and develop an energy conservation plan.

* The City of San Jose's Environmental Services Department includes energy and water savings tips and resources as well.