California determined to reduce pollution

Millie HennickAugust 7, 2018934

California determined to reduce pollution
The battle between environmental leaders and the federal government will be solved by the upcoming election in November. The Trump administration is attempting to invalidate California’s authority to enforce stricter rules on greenhouse gas emissions. California continues to be the leader in reducing its carbon footprint through its cap-and-trade program. The program limits the amount of carbon dioxide emissions while allowing companies to trade surplus allowances to other businesses that surpass emission limits.

California’s environmental progress
One example of the state’s environmental progress is the construction of Casas de la Viña, an affordable housing complex specifically designed for farm workers in Central Valley. The development was developed by Self-Help Enterprises, a community development nonprofit whose mission is “to work together with low-income families to build and sustain healthy homes and communities.” The organization serves San Joaquin Valley, known for its agriculture and high poverty rates. Casas de la Viña is considered a groundbreaking project for a region whose housing usually lacks adequate sewer, energy and water services.

Political action and nonprofit partnership
While the marriage of policy and nonprofit partnerships has proven successful in targeting such communities, building community trust continues to be a barrier to green energy adoption. Centering equity and the involvement of marginalized communities will be critical in changing energy consumption behavior and mindsets. Despite the inherent challenges, California has made considerable progress in this area. For instance, in 2017, the state increased the share of people from underrepresented communities enrolled in clean energy apprenticeship programs to 60 percent. The state offers funding to nonprofits to promote energy justice through its California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) Environmental Justice (EJ) Small Grants Program. Grants of $50,000 are provided to nonprofit agencies that specifically engage underrepresented communities in exploring solutions and benefiting from clean energy. Projects range from developing youth ambassadors, training cosmetologists in chemical reduction strategies, training indigenous tribes in wildfire reduction techniques, and engaging incarcerated people in creating answers to environmental justice.

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