Climate Protection Campaign, a Record of Excellence
The Climate Protection Campaign is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, with the mission to create a positive future for our children and all life by inspiring action in response to the climate crisis. We advance practical, science-based solutions for significant greenhouse gas reductions. The Campaign began its work with government, schools, business, and the community at large in 2001. Its motto is "big vision, bold action." The Campaign aims to achieve such resounding success that it inspires communities worldwide.
The key The Campaign's success is careful analysis and a sharply honed strategy. This approach, embodied in all the Campaign's programs, helps people deal with climate change in a way that is manageable and inspiring: "Where there's a way, there's a will." Our goal is to motivate actions that anybody, anywhere can accomplish.
The Climate Protection Campaign, in collaboration with citizens and public officials, has organized all nine Sonoma cities and the County to adopt the most ambitious greenhouse gas reductions target in the U.S. - 25% below 1990 levels by 2015 - greatly exceeding the modest international targets set through the Kyoto Protocol. The Campaign has also catalyzed action in Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Alameda counties in California, in addition to sparking the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, which oversees air quality in nine Bay Area counties, to become engaged in climate protection.
The Campaign received a 2007 Climate Protection Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its leadership working with businesses in the Cool Business Alliance. Three pilot businesses in the program succeeded in significant greenhouse gas emission reductions while achieving financial savings. Sonoma Wine Company, the first business partner in the Cool Business Alliance, reduce their GHG emissions by 43 percent while nearly doubling their production.
Cool Schools
Cool Schools, the Campaign's schools and youth program, is one of the first programs in the nation to support young people as they engage meaningfully in local climate protection efforts. Cool Schools develops and implements classroom-based service learning projects, engaging students to take action at school and in the community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The themes of the program are education, community, and action.
Cool Schools has worked in ten high schools and three elementary schools since the program began in 2003, engaging more than 5,000 students in climate protection activities. Examples of Cool Schools projects include a multi-school student art show, urban tree-planting projects in partnerships with cities, and projects that address energy use and transportation in schools. Cool Schools received statewide recognition by winning the 2006 Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year for Sonoma County from the Sierra Club for its model project at Analy High School in Sebastopol, reducing single-car commutes by 21%. This project has since expanded to three additional high schools.