Our Events
Explore upcoming Ecology Action and partner events to learn more about sustainable initiatives in California.
About this Event
The Center for Climate Justice is a University of California system wide initiative to address climate change as a social justice and equity issue.
Climate justice recognizes the disproportionate impacts of climate change on low-income communities and BIPOC communities around the world, the people and places least responsible for the problem. The UC Center for Climate Justice seeks solutions that address the root causes of climate change and in doing so, simultaneously address a broad range of social, racial, and environmental injustices.
The Center’s vision is a world where broad-scale climate action is driven by science and a systems perspective, with social and ecological justice at the forefront. We aim to center issues of equity in addressing climate change, working collaboratively with researchers, educators, NGOs, activists, policymakers, philanthropists, Indigenous and community leaders, and private sector actors who are fighting for climate justice in California and beyond. Through innovative research, transformative education, and public engagement, we are committed to empowering the next generation of climate justice leaders.
The Center for Climate Justice launch event will be held over two days, April 22-23, 2021, beginning on Earth Day. It will feature keynote presentations by food sovereignty scholar-activist Vandana Shiva and DOE Deputy Director for Energy Justice Shalanda Baker, a fireside chat with Green New Deal architect Rhiana Gunn-Wright, and panel discussions featuring California climate justice leaders, scholars and activists. We will also host a music and spoken-word celebration on the second day. We hope to see you there!
April 22, 2021 (9:00am-1:30pm PST)
Schedule:
9:00am-9:25am Opening and Introduction to the Launch
9:25am-9:45am Keynote Address: Shalanda Baker
9:50am-10:40am Panel #1: Just Transitions
10:50am-11:40am Panel #2: Social, Racial and Environmental Justice
11:50am-12:40pm Panel #3: Indigenous Climate Action
12:45pm-1:20pm Fireside Chat with Rhiana Gunn-Wright and Center Director Tracey Osborne
1:20pm-1:30pm Closing Statements
April 23, 2021 (9:00am-3:30pm PST)
Schedule:
9:00am-9:25am Opening and Introduction to the Launch
9:25am-9:45am Keynote Address: Vandana Shiva
9:50am-10:40am Panel #1: Community Resilience and Adaptation
10:50am-11:40am Panel #2: Natural Climate Solutions
11:50am-12:40pm Panel #3: Climate Education and Engagement
1:30pm-3:20pm Musical Celebration with Michael Franti and many more
3:20pm-3:30pm Closing Statements
This free virtual clinic is open to the public and will be presented in English with Spanish interpretation. Low- and moderate-income households are especially encouraged to attend since they may qualify for increased rebates and incentives that will allow them to get a very low-cost or free EV.
Join Santa Cruz Climate Action Network and Downtown Commons Advocates for a “COVID Safe” Earth Day Celebration
Saturday April 24th, 1-5pm
featuring:
music, art , kid activities – masks required, hand sanitizer available
VALET BIKE PARKING BY BIKE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
Bring you own folding chair if possible, and your own water bottle
Location: Corner of Cedar and Cathcart section of lot 4 – without the parked cars!!
Ride, Encourage, Get Stoked, Win… Repeat.
Santa Cruz Bike Month is back! Register and ride during the month of May for a chance to win a $100 gift card every Friday and increase your chance at the $1,000 individual grand prize.
This year’s Santa Cruz Bike Month offers an array of programs and events: our month-long Bike Challenge, bike commuter workshops, facilitated group rides, and curated routes and guides for people to explore our community by bike.
To register, and for the full list of Santa Cruz County Bike Month events, head here.
Biking is on the rise locally and around the world, with increasing numbers of people rediscovering cycling as exercise, recreation, and a great way to get from point A to B. This virtual workshop is a perfect entry for people starting to explore cycling during the pandemic, or as a refresher for cyclists who want to hone their riding skills and level-up their commute.
Experts from Ecology Action and R.E.I will share tips and tricks for riding your bike in an urban setting.
This interactive workshop will cover:
- Pre-ride preparation
- Bike sizing and fit
- How to ride safely and confidently in many traffic scenarios
- Route planning
- Riding at night
- eBike benefits
- COVID-related cycling safety
Are you curious about making your transportation trips easier?
Want to learn more about how eBikes can help conquer your commute, saving you both time and money?
Maybe you’ve thought about biking to work, but you’re concerned about hills, distance, or the extra time it will take you.
Perhaps you’d love to ride, but you are a busy parent with kids to transport and errands to run.
Ecology Action staff will provide an overview introduction of eBikes. Topics will include frequently asked questions, different eBike technologies, cost, environmental benefits and investigate if eBikes can really replace cars.
For more information on the GO Santa Cruz program and available benefits, visit cityofsantacruz.com/gosantacruz or facebook.com/GOSantaCruzCA.
This virtual workshop is offered as part of GO Santa Cruz, a transportation program that provides downtown employees with commute alternatives to single-occupant car trips.
FREE BIKE LIGHTS AND HELMETS FOR ALL DOWNTOWN ATTENDEES*
*must be an employee of a business in the Downtown Santa Cruz Parking District and enrolled in Go SC on my.cruz511.org/s/gosantacruz
MIDTOWN FRIDAYS! SUMMER BLOCK PARTY
Every Friday May 21 to October 29
5:00 to 8:30ish
Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors
- June 11th: (Opening Act starting at 5:00) Shoreline Middle School Jazz Band – (Main Act) The Stone Drifters
- June 18th: Dub Souljah (Reggae)
- June 25th: Ancestree (Reggae)
NEW Free Bike Commuting 101 Workshop
Wednesday, June 16th
Noon – 1pm via Zoom
Free helmets and lights for attendees*
Are you ready to take your commute to the next level? Learn from the experts about bike commuting essentials including hauling gear, what to look for in a solid commuting bike, riding while “business casual,” rush hour rules of the road, and more. Join Ecology Action and GO Santa Cruz for this NEW workshop!
As Santa Cruz County expands its network of protected bike lanes and paths, now is the perfect time to explore commuting by bike. For those commuting and those starting to transition from WFH, this is a great time to explore commuting via bike. With the right preparation, adding biking to your commute options can be a breeze. Staff from Ecology Action will share the need-to-knows of bike commuting, trouble-shoot your commute and after-work errands, and help cyclists of all levels plan for a safe and satisfying ride.
The workshop is interactive and will cover:
- The benefits of a commute by bike
- What to look for in a commuting bike
- Hauling gear and managing your exertion
- How to ride safely and confidently during rush hour
- Expert trip planning and low-traffic routes to downtown
- Testimonials and tips from local bike commuters
- How to pick the right lights
- eBikes and your commute
FREE BIKE LIGHTS AND HELMETS FOR ALL DOWNTOWN ATTENDEES*
For more information on the GO Santa Cruz program and available benefits, visit cityofsantacruz.com/gosantacruz.
This free workshop is offered to all downtown Santa Cruz employees as part of GO Santa Cruz, a transportation program that provides downtown employees with commute alternatives to single-occupant car trips.
*must be an employee of a business in the Downtown Santa Cruz Parking District and enrolled in Go SC on https://my.cruz511.org/s/gosantacruz
Just in time for Summer, the Food Truck Summer Series is back for the third great season!
Join us at the West Cliff Surfer’s parking lot and Lighthouse Field parking lot to enjoy a fabulous view, great food, and lots of social distancing! It’s a great chance to get outside and enjoy one of the best views in Santa Cruz!
MIDTOWN FRIDAYS! SUMMER BLOCK PARTY
Every Friday May 21 to October 29
5:00 to 8:30ish
Food – Artists – Live Music – Vendors
- June 11th: (Opening Act starting at 5:00) Shoreline Middle School Jazz Band – (Main Act) The Stone Drifters
- June 18th: Dub Souljah (Reggae)
- June 25th: Ancestree (Reggae)
More Ways to Take Action
Less Emissions is our mission – and with a little help from our friends we know we can get there.
What We’re Thinking About
Our brainpower is always turned on, generating new ways to guarantee a greener future. Take a look at a few of our big ideas.