NEW YEAR, RENEWED HOPE
Happy 2021 from San Leandro 2050.
 

What a change. After years of near-daily attacks on environmental safeguards and our communities’ social fabric by a toxic president, the new administration’s commitment to urgent climate action and comprehensive strategy are almost too good to be true.  

On his first day in office, President Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, brought the US back to the Paris climate agreements and halted oil and gas leasing in the Arctic. But it’s the White House’s Executive order on Tackling the Climate Crisis issued last Wednesday that shows true leadership. We applaud Biden for making equity and environmental justice an integral part of his climate action strategy, forming a climate justice office inside the Justice Department and allocating 40% of the government’s $2 trillion budget for sustainability investments to disadvantaged communities. 

Why does that matter? Because we cannot advance health, safety and quality of life for all unless we bridge our communities’ deep racial and economic disparities. Here in San Leandro, more than half of our neighborhoods are considered low income and/or disadvantaged, meaning they are burdened disproportionately by polluting industry, trucking emissions and other negative health impacts. Not surprisingly, these neighborhoods also have fewer street trees, less open space and lack strong representation and advocacy. 

THE MIGHTY TREE
Get one in front of your home, for free!
 

The humble tree offers many good things for cities, and San Leandro 2050 has partnered with the California Air Resources Board and the City of San Leandro to bring more of them to our City.  While some see trees as a nice, but unnecessary neighborhood feature, we believe "street trees"  provide social, environmental and economic benefits that can provide a significant boost to the quality of life  in our community.

First, there's the basic benefit of shade; a tree-lined street on a hot summer day means the difference between a pleasant stroll and an unpleasant, sweat-inducing slog.  In San Leandro we are seeing many more summer days over 90 degrees, which can make an unshaded summer walk or wait at the bus downright dangerous.

Some San Leandro neighborhoods have significantly fewer trees, and do not enjoy shade and other benefits of trees—a detriment to residents’ health and well-being.  That's why we are offering free street trees in these neighborhoods while supplies last. 

You can read much more about the benefits of San Leandro street trees on our blog.

WE'RE WORKING WITH STUDENTS, OUR FUTURE
Investing in student voice.

Young people in San Leandro are helping us address climate change now! Six months ago San Leandro 2050 began a formal paid intern program with the help of three High School students. These interns have worked side-by-side with our team of volunteers to reach out to San Leandro residents and help develop strategies for addressing climate change. Their unique perspective and enthusiasm are a growing strength to our efforts. We are currently expanding our team of interns and encourage San Leandro High School students to join this effort. We have also created a new internship position for Spanish and Cantonese speaking students who can help us better reach these communities. For more information or to apply, email tom@sanleandro2050.org.

RESILIANCE HUB LEADERS KICKOFF WORK 
A Message from the City of San Leandro Office of Sustainability
 

The Resilience Hub Leadership Cohort, led by City of San Leandro in partnership with NorCal Resilience Network and a group of local government partners, officially kicks off in February with over 50 groups and 30 individual leaders participating in the inaugural cohort. Temple Beth Sholom, San Leandro Church of Christ, All Saints Episcopal Church, Roosevelt Elementary School, a Washington Manor neighborhood site, and an apartment complex in unincorporated Ashland represent San Leandro hubs in the program. San Leandro staff led the local government training on racial justice and climate equity in January for participating government partners.  

Over the course of seven months, participants in the program will learn about people-powered, nature/permaculture-inspired and place-based models and infrastructure for self-sufficiency, through monthly sessions and skill shares with community experts. Through deepening relationships with community leaders and local government partners, sites will access and collaborate on funding for emergency preparedness and climate solutions projects in order to scale up local efforts for a just transition. 

Want to learn more about resilience hubs? Check out The Response, a documentary film, book, and podcast series about how communities are building collective resilience to climate crises.

IN GREENING

IN TRANSPORTATION

IN ENERGY