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February 10 Meeting and Climate Action Plan Blog Series
At the February 10, 2022 Ad Hoc meeting, funding and financing building electrification was discussed and experts from Clean Energy Works and the California Hub for Energy Efficiency Financing shared details on financing available. Approaches to financing individual electrification projects have historically not been inclusive and Dr. Holmes Hummel presented information about utilizing Inclusive Utility Investments. Miriam Joffee-Black presented about how public-private partnerships are an option for financing building electrification through a state-run program called GoGreen. Lastly, City staff presented information about identifying and exploring innovative funding sources for the City to implement its Draft S/CAP Three-Year Work Plan and full community-scale S/CAP efforts.
The latest Climate Action Plan blog goes into more depth about the February S/CAP Ad Hoc Meeting. Previous Climate Action Plan Blogs can be found on the Sustainability News page.
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Watch the February 10 meeting here.
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Do you ride a bike? If you are 50 or older, tell us about why you do or don’t.
Researchers at the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University are conducting a survey to gather your thoughts and preferences about cycling among older adults. With more people of all ages riding a bike, the Institute wants we want to learn more about how and why older adults (50 and older) do so. Is it to remain physically active? Is it to be social? Is it for fun and relaxation? The survey is open until March 31, 2022, go here for more.
Take the 50+ Cycling Survey here.
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Seven Sustainability Tips to Practice in Everyday Life
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We all know that action needs to be taken now to combat climate change, but what are some of the most impactful things you can do now at home? Not only are there plenty of volunteer opportunities with local organizations like CoolBlock and 350 Silicon Valley Palo Alto, you can also encourage your neighbors, friends, and family to learn about climate action! Check out these seven sustainability tips from the Sustainability and Climate Action Plan that you can practice in daily life.
- Conserve water – install a rain barrel, cistern, rain garden, pervious pavement, and find landscape efficiency rebates here. Conserving and preserving water just got easier.
- Drive an electric vehicle – moving away from fossil fuels will reduce your carbon emissions and help the City reach its 80x30 goal.
- Upgrade to a heat pump water heater – electrify your home appliances! Find more information, rebates, and support here.
- Walk or bike around town – reducing time spent in a car creates less traffic congestion, pollution, and promotes mental and physical health. Choose to walk and bike within Palo Alto.
- Join a community garden – not all of us are able to have a garden at home. Scattered throughout Palo Alto are plots of land dedicated to providing Palo Altans with a place to dig their hands in the soil and plat veggies, flowers, and herbs. Learn more here.
- Create defensible space around your home and/or business – it’s extremely important to prepare for wildfires, and to harden your home to increase its chance of surviving a wildfire. Learn how to create defensible space here.
- Compost! Home composting is easy, fun and a great learning experience for everyone in the household. Create a sustainable and healthy place for you, your family, and the environment. Find out more about home composting here.
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Earth Hour
Saturday, March 26 | 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Earth Hour is a global show of solidarity, drawing the world's attention to the climate and nature crises, and catalyzing action for urgent change! Support Earth Hour by turning off non-essential lights and play your part in raising attention to these vital issues. Held every year on the last Saturday of March, with supporters in over 190 countries and territories, Earth Hour has always drawn its power from the people. No matter where you are in the world, and whether you have 5 minutes, 15, or 60, you can play a part in shaping our future. Join fellow Palo Altans in harnessing the power of the people and collective action.
Learn more at www.cityofpaloalto.org/earthhour
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EV Financial Incentives Clinic
Thursday, March 10 | 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Online
Think you can’t afford an EV? Think again! Learn about the many financial assistance programs available to income-qualifying residents, including the Clean Cars for All grant, Driving Clean Assistance grant, and county-specific programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Afterwards, attendees may request a free consultation for additional guidance in identifying the programs for which they qualify. Note: to income-qualify for most of these programs, you must make no more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level. For example, a single individual must make less than $51,520 per year and a family of four must make less than $106,000 per year.
EV 101: Electrify Your Ride Webinar – Learn EV and E-Bike basics
Wednesday, April 20 | 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Online
We’ll review available electric vehicles and e-bikes as well as charging at home and on the road, incentives, and total cost of ownership. You’ll have the chance to ask the questions you’ve always wondered about EVs and e-bikes.
For more information and to register, visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/workshops.
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