CEC Provides Climate Leadership Opportunities
The Community Environmental Council’s Climate Leadership initiatives are working to educate, unite, and activate a broad range of Central Coast residents. Over the last several years, we have been building networks of diverse, engaged activists who champion authentic, rigorous climate action in their neighborhoods, businesses, and homes.
These trained activists and grassroots leaders join a web of deeply-networked organizations so that together, we can move at the unprecedented pace required to reverse, repair, and protect against climate threats. Check out the links below to learn more about our CEC Climate Stewards Certification Program, our first-ever Youth Climate Workshop, and our ongoing climate leadership work.
What It Means to Be a Certified Climate Steward - Join Our Webinar
Thursday, November 30, 2023 6:30-7:45 p.m.
We have trained over 120 community members to date via CEC's Climate Stewards Certification Program. These climate leaders are spurring a wave of grassroots climate action across the California Central Coast and beyond.
Are you interested in learning more about the program and how you can join this close-knit network of climate activists? Join us for an informational webinar to hear from some of CEC's Climate Stewards alumni about their experiences in the course, their stewardship projects, and what climate actions they’ve undertaken since.
Our next CEC Climate Stewards Certification Program begins January 31, 2024, so this webinar is a great opportunity to learn more about the program and how to apply to join our next cohort! Learn more and register.
Climate Steward Spotlight: Jasmin Tupy Connects Community Members to Key Environmental Resources
Jasmin Tupy, Operations Manager for Heal the Ocean, completed CEC’s Climate Stewards Certification Program in Spring 2023. For her stewardship project, Jasmin created a webpage, the Santa Barbara Resource Guide, that connects community members with resources from environmental organizations around Santa Barbara, ranging from wildlife rescue centers to recycling and compost facilities.
CEC Hosts First-Ever Youth Climate Workshop at its Environmental Hub
Nineteen enthusiastic middle and high school students from across California’s Central Coast participated in the inaugural CEC Youth Climate Workshop on October 28. Hosted at CEC’s Environmental Hub in downtown Santa Barbara, the workshop was led by CEC staff members Kathi King and Rosheil Ramirez, alongside environmental consultant Ilan Macadam-Somer, and educators Velia Soto and Jessica Prichard, who are all recent alumni of the CEC Climate Stewards program.
Participants gained valuable insights and knowledge on critical climate-related topics including managing climate anxiety, climate communication skills, climate policy advocacy tools and how to make positive consumer habit changes for the planet.
One participant, Valentina Thomas, a sophomore at San Marcos High School, shared that the workshop was “an amazing way to learn about new ways to help in your community and meet new people who are passionate about the environment.”
This first-of-its-kind pilot for youth is an adaptation of CEC’s Climate Stewards Certification Program, which cultivates and trains a committed corps of volunteers to play an active role in their community to address and alleviate climate impacts. Outcomes from this workshop will inform how CEC moves forward with its larger youth initiative in 2024.