Sunnyvale Cool At Three Years

Who is Sunnyvale Cool?
We are a volunteer group of Sunnyvale residents and friends acting to build a sustainable city, one in which residents meet their own needs without harming the ability of future generations to meet theirs.  We focus on climate protection--energy-efficiency; clean, safe, renewable energy; and smart land use and transportation policies/practices.
 
We understand that as our society uses energy more efficiently and switches to clean, safe energy sources, we will all breathe cleaner, healthier air; become less dependent on foreign oil; create thousands of new 21 century American jobs; and reduce our contribution to climate change.  We realize that by reducing our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and minimizing climate change, we will simultaneously build tomorrow's economy, improve our energy-security and clean-up our air.  We believe that putting a price on carbon emissions will stimulate the needed investments in an energy-efficient and clean-energy future.
 
We understand that smart land use decisions are central to reducing air pollution, congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and sprawl, especially in view of projections for significant population growth in our world, our country, our state and our region. 
 
We were founded by the Sierra Club in June, 2007.
 
What do we believe?

• That protecting the earth and its climate for future generations is not a spectator sport.  This is an all-hands-on-deck moment.
• That solving problems is both more pleasant and more likely when dialog is respectful and civil.
• That our government at all levels is a necessary part of the solution; that our  government works best when the people are involved
• That local action to protect the environment and the climate is necessary because individual decisions and local government policies and actions (land use and transportation decisions, building ordinances, for example) significantly affect how much greenhouse gas is generated. 

 
Since our first meeting June, 2007...
 
We publicly advocated (through speaking and writing to Council, writing letters to the editor, and/or gathering signatures in support):--That Council adopt the Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement as official City policy (adopted 9/07) --That the City conduct a Community-wide greenhouse gas emissions inventory to establish a baseline against which further reductions could be measured.--That the Council adopt ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets--That Council adopt and implement a plan to meet these GHG emission reduction targets--That Council join Sustainable Silicon Valley as a pledging partner at the default goal (approved 9/07)--That Council lower solar permitting fees (lowered winter, 07)--That Council adopt a zero waste goal (adopted, 2008/?)--That the City hire a full-time sustainability coordinator (approved summer 08)--That Council adopt a green building policy and that it include residential remodels (adopted summer, 08) --That Council adopt this ordinance sooner rather than later (implemented 1/10)--That Council reopen consideration of how to connect to the Stevens Creek Trail ( approved spring, 09).--That Council prioritize specific environmentally-oriented study issues for years 2008, 2009, and 2010 (many of our issues were ranked highly by Council)
--That in view of the serious environmental challenges we face, the Sunnyvale create a Sustainability Commission (passes spring, 2010)
 
(Please don't infer that these measures were adopted due merely to our advocacy.)
 
We have organized projects:--Compact Fluorescent Bulb Distribution:  2000 free bulbs distributed at a variety of events including  major distributions in Lakewood Village and Sunnyvale Community Services at Thanksgiving. (fall,'07-spring˜08)--Solar Sunnyvale Initiative:  One of our members negotiated discounts from 3 solar installation companies to span a three month period during the winter of 07-08.  This discount period was accompanied by several solar workshops and an informational web-site.--Art and Wine Festival Composting/Recycling Help.  Recruited and organized volunteers to help the public and the vendors get their discards into the appropriate bin. (09,10)--Outreach Tabling:  We have staffed tables at a variety of events:  Full Circle Farm Earth Day Celebrations (08, 09),  City of Sunnyvale Earth Week Festivals (08,09,10),  City Earth Day Speakers Forum 09, Muslim American Society Green Fair (09), Hindu Temple (08)--SunnyvaleCool.org web-site  (since fall 07?)--The Sunnyvale Cool Green e-Letter (since fall '09)
--Don Weden's "Cities For All Ages" presentation (May, 2010), attended by 56 people (only 6 of which were Cool Cities members/friends--Mr. Weden also spoke to our group in early 09.)
 
To better inform ourselves, we have hosted speakers and conversations:--We have hosted Mayors Lee and Spitaleri, and Councilmembers Hamilton, Chu, Swegles,  Howe, Whittum  and Councilmember-elect Griffith.--Lisa Rose, from the County's Green Business Certification Program--Debbie Mytels, Acterra
--Joel Wyrick, Chair, Sunnyvale Downtown Association--Margaret Okuzumi and Kevin Jackson (BPAC) on transportation issues--Laura Stuchinski, then of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, on transportation--Vu-Bang Nguyen (Urban Habitat) and Nick Rajkovich (Silicon Valley Leadership Group) on Land Use.--Loma Prieta Chapter Sierra Club Forest Committee Chair on the state of the Sierra Nevada forests.- Home Z founder on home energy-efficiency--Saul Pacheco, founder of Fremont High School's APES Club.--Homestead AP Environmental Science Students--Ongoing conversation on the sunnyvalecool yahoo group.
 
We have attended numerous --Council Study sessions, --Council meetings,--City outreach meetings (Trees, Waste, Landscape Water, Land Use), --Budget and Study Issue Workshop Meetings --and a few Commission meetings.  And read Reports to Council.
 
 
We have supported the efforts of other groups to create a more sustainable city:--Acterra's Green @ Home, home energy-efficiency program.  Publicized at Neighborhood Association meetings and in our newsletter.  A few of our members and friends have become trained volunteers and conducted home energy-efficiency audits.--Sustainable Silicon Valley's free business energy-efficiency workshops.  Publicized by posting on our yahoo group and delivering flyers to local businesses.--The County's Green Business Certification program. Helped publicize by distributing their literature at our table at green events.--The City's School Recycling Program.   Helped to weigh garbage and helped collect  unneeded materials at the end of the year and get them reused.--The Silicon Valley Leadership Group's Affordable Housing Tour (2010). We helped publicize though our yahoo group, e-newsletter, and posts to yahoo groups.--Homestead High School's AP Environmental Science Class.  Recruited and organized judging panels for class projects (2009 and 2010)--The Air District's Great Race for Clean Air. Helped publicize by posting on numerous yahoo groups and writing e-mails, and including information in our e-letter.
 
One of our key members was elected to Council in November 2009.  Two of our members were appointed to the Horizon 2035 Advisory Committee (5/2010).
 
Near-term Opportunities--Watch the Budget Hearing on-line.  Watching this hearing gives insight into to where our City government is now. It may be a good idea to divide up the meeting and post summaries on-line. http://sunnyvaleca.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=4&clip_id=533 --Closely follow the Horizon 2035 Advisory Commission.  This Committee will advise the Planning Commission, the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Commission and Council on the revision of the Land Use and Transportation Element of the General Plan and Sunnyvale's first Climate Action Plan.  The first community outreach
workshop is planned for 6:30-8:30 PM, Wednesday, June 30 (Council Chambers)--Encourage your company to join the Great Race for Clean Air. Deadline to sign up is July 15.  http://www.sparetheair.org/Get-Involved/Your-Community/Great-Race.aspx
 
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