ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
groups . Additionally , residents need to be given the tools , resources and freedom to implement their own solutions .
Community engagement will also be critical to the success of Sacramento ’ s air-quality goals and climate plans . In the American Lung Association ’ s 2020 State of the Air report , the Sacramento area was again ranked fifth worst among major U . S . cities for ozone pollution , a main component of smog . “ We ’ ve been doing work for 25 years in clean air , and ( pollution ) is a real health risk , especially to the most vulnerable in our population ,” says Evan Schmidt , CEO of Valley Vision , a nonprofit civic organization in the Cleaner Air Partnership with the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce and Breathe California Sacramento Region .
In 2018 , South Sacramento- Florin became one of 10 communities statewide in the first round of Assembly Bill 617 designations to receive funding to measure and reduce air pollution as part of the new Community Air Protection Program by the California
“ We ’ ve been doing work for 25 years in clean air , and ( pollution ) is a real health risk , especially to the most vulnerable in our population .”
EVAN SCHMIDT CEO , Valley Vision
Air Resources Board . The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District has established a steering committee of local residents and businesses to help create the community air monitoring plan , says Grace Kaufman , a project manager with Valley Vision . Sac Metro Air District is working to secure stipends for participants .
In 2019 , CARB awarded a $ 300,000 community air grant to Valley Vision and three partners for their Sacramento Neighborhoods Activating on Air Quality project to empower residents , businesses and schools in parts of north Sacramento and Oak Park to monitor their own air quality , learn about pollution and develop plans to reduce exposure . An advisory committee of residents will guide the project .
“ Community engagement is never easy , and it ’ s never done ,” Schmidt says . “ It ’ s always a challenge , and it ’ s always an intention . … There are conditions that are going on right now — like wildfires , like our housing affordability — that are engaging the community more deeply , and then … there are investments to do it .”
In June , in culmination of an 18-month process , the Mayors ’ Commission on Climate Change adopted its final recommendations to achieve carbon zero in Sacramento and West Sacramento by 2045 . The commission ’ s Equity Technical Advisory Committee also developed strategies for equitable outcomes and avoiding harm to marginalized communities . ( Pope-Harden , a commissioner , says while the recommendations are “ a great start ,” the group could have done more to include residents in the process .)
Then , in September , Sac Metro Air District announced another big win for the region with $ 435,450 in funding from the EPA to monitor air toxins in underserved neighborhoods , specifically hazardous air pollutants emitted by cars and trucks and other mobile sources that have been linked to cancer and other serious health issues . “ Air monitoring is such a fundamental piece of the puzzle as we begin to tailor
community-centric emission mitigation plans ,” said SMAQMD Executive Director Alberto Ayala in a news release .
Additionally , the City of Sacramento will include an environmental-justice element in its 2040 General Plan to be finalized next year . Senate Bill 1000 , signed by former Gov . Jerry Brown in 2016 , requires cities and counties with disadvantaged communities to incorporate economic-justice policies and goals , such as promoting food access and safe and sanitary housing and reducing pollution exposure . Cole is overseeing a working group of stakeholders , including residents , to help guide the plan .
Pope-Harden applauds the “ big push ” for community engagement , but she warns that in some ways it can go too far , siphoning energy from the very people who suffer from problems they likely didn ’ t cause . “ It doesn ’ t take a community meeting in Land Park to
44 comstocksmag . com | November 2020