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The Climate Action pages summarize some of Pittsburg’s activities in climate action and what you can do to help!
ENGAGE- Take the Blue Marble Challenge and check out the City's new brochure, a common sense guide to saving energy costs, conserving natural resources, and reducing waste! You can pick up your free copy at City Hall, the Pittsburg Library, Railroad Book Depot, or request one by calling 925-252-4129.
For a PDF version click here:
 Pittsburg has joined the Cool California Challenge - Help us WIN!
Pittsburg is one of 10 cities competing to be crowned "California's Coolest City!" The Cool California Challenge is a contest to see who's citizens can lower their carbon footprint the most and create healthier, happier communities!
Joining this FUN and EASY competition could earn you PRIZES or Money for your favorite Charity throughout the year. In April, just sign up and enter in how much electricity and natural gas you use. More categories will be added each month and you get BONUSES for making improvements over time!
You can also use our new "Engage" brochure (mentioned above) for great tips and ideas - Check it out!
sign up now at www.coolcalifornia.org/community-challenge
For more information check out this flyer [PDF] or call 925-252-4129
 City of Pittsburg Living Green
The Environmental Affairs Division has a facebook page! "Like" us to hear about stories, ideas, and local events that are environmentally friendly and help promote a safe, clean, and healthy community. Check it out at: www.facebook.com/PittsburgLivinGreen
Shuttle Feasibility Survey
The City of Pittsburg would like to know if a shuttle could serve your daily travel needs and bring you to shopping, dining, recreation, and work destinations in the City. Your participation with this study (by completing the 5 minute survey) will help determine its feasibility. Click on the icon below to take the survey.
 Transit and Trails
Transit and Trails connects you to parks and open spaces by helping you Find, Plan, and Share your outdoor adventures. You can locate trailheads near you (or any Bay Area location) and Transit and Trails helps you get there on public transportation or get the directions you need to walk, bike, or drive there. You might try one of the many existing trips on the site or make a new one.
Plan your trip at http://www.transitandtrails.org or with the FREE iphone or android app on your smartphone!
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Climate Change Impacts in Pittsburg
The State's Climate Adaptation Strategy outlines many of the changes they expect in this region based on recent and projected changes in temperature, precipitation, and sea levels. Locally in Pittsburg the effects may include:
- Drought and water shortages
- Flooding of shorelines
- Extreme heat events and related illness
- Worsening local air quality and related respiratory illnesses
- Loss of natural habitat
- Increase in disease carrying insects
Pittsburg's Greenhouse Gases
In 2005 the local community of Pittsburg (excluding large industry and regional transportation) emitted 236 thousand tons of climate change causing greenhouse gases (units of carbon dioxide equivalent metric tons) and is expected to increase to 325 thousand tons by 2020!
The city, in an effort to lessen the effects of climate change and create a healthier Pittsburg, is working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to 15% below what they were in 2005. This means by 2020 we need to produce 125 thousand tons less than we are expected to.
In order to bring about such a significant change, Pittsburg has been developing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) which will develop solutions and outline new city programs to reduce our carbon footprint on a citywide and residential scale.
Climate Actions
For years, we have already been doing things that are reducing our greenhouse gases, because the types of actions that go into a Climate Action Plan are wonderful assets to the community. Things like good transportation systems, less waste, and reliable supplies of energy, all contribute to enhancing the health, beauty, and safety of a community.
By promoting these types of outcomes, the CAP will bring immense benefits to the community. The intention for this Climate Action Plan is for it to have many co-benefits for the community as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions so that the resulting product will be an immensely valuable tool to serve the community.
The categories of climate action identified (and example actions under each) are:
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY |
RENEWABLE ENERGY |
TRANSPORT ALTERNATIVES |
FUEL EFFICIENCY |
RESOURCE CONSERVATION |
ADAPTION STRATEGIES |
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Green buildings
Energy performance upgrades
Energy star appliances
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Solar Power on roofs
Solar hot water
Wind energy |
Transit-oriented community planning
mixed use walkable communities
Bike and pedestrian infrastructure |
Electric vehicle and other alt. fuel infrastructure
Efficient vehicle education |
Recycling and composting infrastructure and education |
Adapting to:
Sea-level rise
Drought preparation through water conservation
Urban heat island effect |
Your Opinion Counts!
The Climate Action Plan is currently in development. To be successful, it will need the input and participation of the whole community.
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Did you miss the workshop?
The materials from the workshop are available below.
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Don't Wait - Take Action
Reduce Your Personal Emissions!
All of this talk about Climate Change and Global Warming can be scary, and too complicated. But the solutions for preventing it are about making simple, everyday choices. Each person is responsible for a certain amount of the community's greenhouse gas emissions. Your personal emissions depend on your lifestyle choices. Reducing your personal emissions means wasting less - wasting less gas, energy, stuff, and money. Click the links below to find helpful resources on how to take action in different areas of your life.
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