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Simply put, the tireless work our alliance put into 2021 was incredible. Our 2021 chair, Maleeka, wrote an end-of-year wrap-up that showcases our community's powerful abilities to better San Diego. Read through our accomplishments below!

"12/16/21

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Dear San Diego Green New Deal Alliance community,

 

As 2021 comes to a close and we slow down to enjoy the holidays, I want to acknowledge some of the great work that we have done together this year.

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2021 was a hard year—the pandemic continues to expose the problems that plague our systems and how inequities are exacerbated during overlapping crises.

 

Nevertheless, our coalition came together to build a strong and supportive community, leverage our collective power, and change our region for the better.

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^ SDGNDA Advisory Board Meeting

I’ve highlighted some of our key accomplishments below, which was the result of the hard work of numerous organizations and individual activists. A huge thank you to the Working Group Chairs, the Steering Committee Members, the Advisory Board members, all of our amazing volunteers, and those that have contributed financially to make our work possible.

  • BUILDING A DIVERSE & INTERSECTIONAL CLIMATE MOVEMENT
    • We are now 62 organizations and dozens of activists strong! • We hosted or spoke at 23+ GND events, trainings, workshops, and presentations. • We hosted 4 mixers to help build a connected community of activists and hosted a big community celebration with 200+ people. • We joined 4 coalitions: The Labor, Environmental, and Community Coalition, the ReWild Mission Bay Coalition, the Building Electrification Coalition, and the California Green New Deal Coalition. • We mobilized to stand in solidarity for racial and social justice issues at the City of San Diego, the County, and in the community. • We established five new committees and working groups: Equitable Housing and Development Committee, Monarca–a Spanish language work group, Spicy Funds Working Group to raise funds for equitable participation, a Ballot Measure working group, and the Activist Engagement and Operations Working Group. • We hired a JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Organizer and a Communications Coordinator. •We translated key documents into Spanish, including our website and Vision document.
  • CHAMPIONING A JUST TRANSITION
    • We hosted two Just Transition events with esteemed economists, and had 200+ attendees. • We advocated for Just Transition Plans as part of the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan and the County of San Diego’s Regional Decarbonization Framework. • We spoke to the importance of a Just Transition at panels and presentations throughout the community. • We supported rallies and protests to protect workers and stand up for economic justice during the pandemic, including rallying for the recall and retention of hotel workers.
  • FIGHTING FOR EQUITABLE ZERO CARBON POLICY
    • We mobilized for 50+ calls to action throughout the year and wrote or signed onto 15+ policy letters. • We attended 16+ lobbying visits with electeds from every level of government. • We wrote a coalition letter and lobbied the San Diego City Council for a Zero Carbon Climate Action Plan, leading to the development of the first Zero Carbon Climate Action Plan in the region. • We presented at the Environment Committee at the City of San Diego on our top policy priorities. • We successfully pushed for regional action on climate, and inspired the idea for the County’s Regional Decarbonization Framework, mobilizing significant turnout for hearings and workshops to shape the regional plan. • We co-sponsored legislation to create a Regional Climate Authority. • We collaborated with state and national partners to help build the political will for Build Back Better. • We sent representation on the Unite Here Freedom Rides across the country to Washington DC to stand up for voter rights.
  • HOLDING FOSSIL FUEL CORPORATIONS ACCOUNTABLE
    • We supported efforts to ensure the best possible energy franchise agreements for San Diegans, and successfully secured funds from SDG&E for a Climate Equity Fund. • We co-organized 1 large protest against Sempra Energy with approximately 100 participants.

Of course, there are many more wins that happen behind the scenes, including new friendships, solidarity, community, and cultivation of budding activists who gave public comments or attended a lobbying meeting for the first time!

 

Taking all this in, my heart is full of gratitude for the work we have done together and I cannot wait to see the Alliance continue to blossom in 2022. 

 

Wishing you all a joyful and rejuvenating holiday season,

 

Maleeka

Chair of the San Diego Green New Deal Alliance

 

PS: Don’t forget that Chair Fletcher officially proclaimed April 6th San Diego Green New Deal Alliance Day in the County of San Diego, so be prepared to celebrate!"

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