Climate Change Activities at the District       Climate Protection Chapter in 2010 Clean Air Plan California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Thresholds  Outreach and Education See Climate Change Information and Links for general information, upcoming conferences and events, etc.

California's Global Warming Solutions Act, signed into law in September, 2006, establishes a framework and timeline for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the state. The California Air Resources Board is responsible for implementation of this landmark legislation. For more information on activities on the state level, see the state's climate change portal.  The District has been incorporating climate change in outreach and education programs for several years, and is currently working in a number of additional areas to help prepare the way for the state initiatives.

Climate Protection Chapter with Greenhouse Gas (CO2) Inventory

A climate protection chapter will be included in the 2010 Clean Air Plan. The chapter will be informational, and not regulatory, and will include an inventory of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the county. CO2 is the most prevalent greenhouse gas, and also the one for which the District has the most accurate data. Draft chapters in Clean Air Plans are typically taken to the District's Community Advisory Council for review before going before the District Board. The climate protection chapter is scheduled to be presented to the Community Advisory Council in May of 2010. The District prepares emission inventories for criteria pollutants and air toxics on an annual basis in connection with preparing Clean Air Plans to show how the county will meet air quality standards. For more information, contact Joe Petrini at 805-961-8894.  

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Thresholds

The District will develop greenhouse gas emission thresholds for application in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) reviews of new projects, and expects to take proposed thresholds to the District Board for adoption in 2010. To view the CAPCOA resource guide released in January 2008, see "CEQA and Climate Change" on this page. For more information, contact Molly Pearson at pearsonm@sbcapcd.org.

Outreach and Education

APCD incorporates climate change into outreach and education programs as detailed below.

• Countywide classroom presentations for K-12th grades and college classes feature lessons on our atmosphere, air pollution, global climate change, and what we can do to make a difference. For more information, see this page. The District provides grants for county teachers, awarded through the County Education Office, for projects to reduce energy use and vehicle traffic at schools.
• District booths at school science nights, and community events include games with the Wheel of Change illustrating climate change concepts, and demonstrations of wind and solar energy. Climate change concepts are incorporated in special community initiatives, including "Do Your Part on Earth Day - Ride FREE on MTD" on this page.
• The District incorporates climate change concepts into its award-winning eco-tourism partnership Santa Barbara Car Free by encouraging visitors to reduce their CAR-bon footprints. See info on the Santa Barbara Car Free website.

For more information, contact Mary Byrd at 805-961-8833.