I am an Oakland native and a member of the Climate Reality Alameda County Squad I applaud the actions taken by ECAP, however I urge you to significantly accelerate your actions. Climate change is already causing extreme weather events that are affecting the health and wellbeing of Oakland residents, not to mention other people across the Bay Area. It is imperative that Oakland, a model of progressive activism for the entire country, lead the charge against climate change. Furthermore, as you know, every environmental issue is also a public health issue. Oakland’s marginalized communities are disproportionately exposed to poor air quality, in communities near highways, factories, and the port. For example, Oakland’s Black population makes up about 20% of the city’s population, but accounts for over half of the hospitalizations for asthma. Respiratory illnesses can be caused or exacerbated by some of the chemicals emitted by gas appliances, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. For this reason, in addition to the aforementioned environmental implications, I urge ECAP to accelerate its move to electrify Oakland. Please move the timeline from 2040 to 2035 to electrify all existing buildings. Additionally, please prioritize marginalized communities in the city so that their buildings are electrified by 2030. This move can make a powerful difference for our future.
I am an Oakland native and a member of the Climate Reality Alameda County Squad I applaud the actions taken by ECAP, however I urge you to significantly accelerate your actions. Climate change is already causing extreme weather events that are affecting the health and wellbeing of Oakland residents, not to mention other people across the Bay Area. It is imperative that Oakland, a model of progressive activism for the entire country, lead the charge against climate change. Furthermore, as you know, every environmental issue is also a public health issue. Oakland’s marginalized communities are disproportionately exposed to poor air quality, in communities near highways, factories, and the port. For example, Oakland’s Black population makes up about 20% of the city’s population, but accounts for over half of the hospitalizations for asthma. Respiratory illnesses can be caused or exacerbated by some of the chemicals emitted by gas appliances, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. For this reason, in addition to the aforementioned environmental implications, I urge ECAP to accelerate its move to electrify Oakland. Please move the timeline from 2040 to 2035 to electrify all existing buildings. Additionally, please prioritize marginalized communities in the city so that their buildings are electrified by 2030. This move can make a powerful difference for our future.