CoolCalifornia.org is a website for Californians with resources to help them reduce their impact on the environment and
combat climate change
Climate change mitigation (or decarbonisation) is action to limit the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that cause climate change. Climate change mitigation actions include conserving energy and replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sour ...
. The website is geared towards different audiences, including: individuals, small businesses, local government, youth, community organizations, and schools. The website currently features two
carbon footprint
A carbon footprint (or greenhouse gas footprint) is a calculated value or index that makes it possible to compare the total amount of greenhouse gases that an activity, product, company or country Greenhouse gas emissions, adds to the atmospher ...
calculators. One is for individuals and households and one is for small businesses; a similar tool for local governments is under development.
History
CoolCalifornia.org was created by a team of California State agencies, universities and a nonprofit organization. Partners include the
California Air Resources Board
The California Air Resources Board (CARB or ARB) is an agency of the government of California that aims to reduce air pollution. Established in 1967 when then-governor Ronald Reagan signed the Mulford-Carrell Act, combining the Bureau of Air S ...
, the
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley, Berkeley, Cal, or California), is a Public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in Berkeley, California, United States. Founded in 1868 and named after t ...
,
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL, Berkeley Lab) is a Federally funded research and development centers, federally funded research and development center in the Berkeley Hills, hills of Berkeley, California, United States. Established i ...
, the
California Energy Commission
The California Energy Commission, formally the Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission, is the primary energy policy and energy planning, planning Government agency, agency for California.
Created in 1974 and headquartered in S ...
, Next 10, and the
California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC or PUC) is a regulatory agency that regulates privately owned public utilities in the state of California, including electric power, telecommunications, natural gas and water companies. In addition ...
.
Tools
CoolCalifornia.org offers a variety of resources for all types of Californians looking to reduce their impact on the environment.
Such resources include:
carbon calculators, ideas and tips to save money, case studies of small businesses and local governments that have "gone green," lists of rebate programs, and resource lists linking to other websites. The site offers guidelines called "toolkits" for small businesses, local governments, and schools. These toolkits help people learn how to create climate action plans.
The carbon calculators are California-specific and calculate both direct
greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities intensify the greenhouse effect. This contributes to climate change. Carbon dioxide (), from burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, oil, and natural gas, is the main cause of climate chan ...
, such as from fuel burned in your car or a natural gas furnace, and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, such as those emitted at power plants, or embedded in food or purchased goods. For both the household and small business calculators, all calculations are transparent and references are provided. CoolCalifornia.org's household carbon calculator has been ranked among the most robust available, even though various
carbon footprint
A carbon footprint (or greenhouse gas footprint) is a calculated value or index that makes it possible to compare the total amount of greenhouse gases that an activity, product, company or country Greenhouse gas emissions, adds to the atmospher ...
calculators can produce different carbon footprint results.
Awards
CoolCalifornia.org offered its first Small Business Awards in 2009. One of the awards given out was for Organization of the Year. Another award was given out for Small Business of the Year. Excellence awards were also given out to organizations and businesses.
[https://www.bc3sfbay.org/blog/post/754]
See also
*
Climate change in California
Climate change in California has resulted in higher than average temperatures, leading to increased occurrences of droughts and wildfires. Over the next few decades in California, climate change is predicted to further reduce water availabilit ...
*
Environment of California
The environment of California describes results of human habitation of the American State of California.
History of environmental action
California's Mediterranean climate makes vegetation susceptible to wildfires through the dry summers. ...
References
External links
CoolCalifornia.org
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Climate change organizations based in the United States
Environmental organizations based in California
Environment of California