Welcome to the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter’s Global Warming Campaign Website!

The concentrations of heat-trapping gases known as greenhouse gases are rapidly rising in Earth's atmosphere. Global warming is the result and its effects are already evident in the temperature of the Earth, sea level, and the melting of glacial and polar region ice. The most important greenhouse gas--- carbon dioxide—is produced every time we generate energy from the burning of fossil fuels--- oil, natural gas, and coal. As population and living standards continue to rapidly rise, we face a historic challenge: meeting the world's rapidly growing energy needs without causing major changes in the climate of Earth over the next 50 years. By taking action now to reduce energy use and to switch to carbon dioxide-free energy sources, we can have a major effect on the outcome of our historic challenge.

Volunteer with Us
Act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Silicon Valley Region—Santa Clara, San Mateo, and San Benito Counties. Our Global Warming Campaign seeks to address this major environmental challenge with local measures that reduce emissions of global warming gases into the atmosphere. Our success depends on volunteers, and interested people such as you, working with dedicated Chapter Staff.

We are currently working in these areas:

1. Local Government Action to Reduce Global Warming Emissions:
   Our Cool Cities Campaign is forming teams of residents in each city to urge local governments to take action to reduce global warming emissions within their communities. Learn about our Cool Cities Campaign and join a team in your city.

2. Helping Individuals and Organizations Reduce Their Global Warming Emissions:
   Cool It! Campaign This program is helping individuals and organizations reduce their carbon footprint. Offset your global warming emissions and help develop America's wind energy infrastructure – typically for less than the price of a café latte per week!
   
   Climate Action Team Campaign Learn how to reduce your own energy use and global warming emissions, socially network, and help teach other people and organizations to reduce their emissions through this new campaign, starting in Fall 2007.

3. Reducing Local Barriers to the Installation of Solar Power Systems:
   Our report on solar electric system permit fees led to significant reductions of these fees by many cities in our area--- making it easier and cheaper to install solar power. This highly successful study continues as part of our campaign. Learn more about our continuing efforts to reduce barriers to solar power systems.

4. Education on Global Warming and Solutions: Educating community and school groups on the science of climate change and available measures to reduce emissions of global warming gases. Carry our campaign into your community. Request a speaker with expertise in global warming and solutions.

Quick Actions on Global Warming:

• Sign our Cool Cities Letter to Your Mayor
• Calculate & Offset Your Global Warming Emissions
• Find a Cool Cities Meeting in Your City

• Sierra Club Praises San Jose City Council’s Support for Mayor Reed’s Green Vision and Urges Rapid Implementation
  
• U.S. Dept. of Energy recognizes our Solar Permit Fee Campaign!
  
• San Mateo County Supervisors Sign Cool Counties Climate Declaration on Oct. 16!