Santa Barbara celebrates Earth Day

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - In 1969, a massive oil spill from an oil platform off Santa Barbara’s coast caught the nation's attention including Senator Gaylord Nelson, who visited Santa Barbara shortly after the spill. 

“So earth day actually was founded here in Santa Barbara in response to the 1969 oil spill … they were looking for a way to kind of bring the community together … and seek solutions and activities … so that’s where it started," said community environmental council and CEO Sigrid Wright.

The resulting concern gave rise to the world’s first Earth Day in 1970, as well as to the creation of the Community Environmental Council.

The CEC is now one of the most established environmental organizations in the region, and the host of Santa Barbara’s annual Earth Day Festival.

"So we’ve hosted over 6000 people been through our doors in the last few months and we posted over 200 public events," said Wright.

Today, the Community Environmental Council pioneers real life solutions on climate change.

"It’s really an example for the rest of the country and hopefully the rest of the world and I think my motivation for being here is really being one of those leaders in the environmental field," said climate programs associate Kat Orellana of the Community Environmental Council.

The CEC team believes they hope more people will join the climate steward’s program to empower future climate leaders. 

“Really excited about the number of people who are coming through our climate stewards program. That’s both adults over 150 adults have come through the program and we’re really excited to be offering it now to teens," said Wright.

CEC programs provide pathways to clean vehicles, solar energy, resilient food systems and reduction of single-use plastic.

"People are much more aware. They’re much in sync with and attuned to environmental issues.

Santa Barbara marks its Historic Environmental Legacy throughout the year with a series of festivals and events including The annual Earth Day Festival.

“Because it really is Earth Day every day," said Wright.

For the past 54 years, CEC has strategically catalyzed change on the Central Coast, influencing California and beyond.

CEC’s Climate Policy team is collaborating with a diverse group of community members and partners across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties to enact bold policies that will bring equitable climate solutions to scale. When our region advances ambitious solutions, we light a path for the state and the nation.

• Current policy priorities include:
  • reversing climate pollution and reducing waste by moving quickly toward 100% renewable and carbon-free electricity, and
  • reducing our usage of oil and natural gas by accelerating the adoption of electrified buildings and vehicles. repairing lands and sequester carbon, build climate resilience and advance climate justice, and accelerate funding for climate action.

• Policy wins include:
  • Ensuring that 1.5 million residents have access to 100% renewable electricity, 15 to 25 years ahead of California law
  • Helping pass all-electric building and electric vehicle reach codes for new construction
  • Working with local governments to develop a framework that unlocks private and public financing for natural and working land sequestration.

Looking ahead: Advocating for the City and County of Santa Barbara to adopt ambitious Climate Action Plans that accelerate state mandates and timelines for reaching zero carbon goals.

Santa Barbara County has the 4th highest poverty rate in the state, and Ventura County is warming faster than any other county in the lower 48.

But CEC is rapidly flipping that script from fossil fuel dependence and legacy pollution to climate innovation. The organization is building collective power to test, incubate and scale community-led solutions that can be replicated beyond this region.

CEC has trained more than 150 certified Climate Stewards who are equipped to lead climate action in their communities. They've adapted this program for junior high and high school students in order to empower the next generation of climate leaders.

The free Electrify Your Life concierge service offers one-on-one support in English and Spanish to help individuals and businesses access incentives and information on energy efficiency and energy upgrades.

CEC is launching three Climate Resilience Hubs in Santa Barbara County that will provide centralized disaster services, support, and education for our most vulnerable community members.

CEC’s Environmental Hub has engaged more than 6,000 community members in 200+ events focused on climate action.

Through all of CEC's programs, managers are focused on building a groundswell of community-led climate action.