San Diego County has a history of community pride and protection of our region’s natural resources. But like other places throughout the world, our region faces threats from climate change to its air, land and water, and the well-being of its residents. By working together and investing today, philanthropy, local government, and the community can sustain a strong economy and a healthy environment.
Addressing Climate Change Through Philanthropy
In 2006, San Diego Grantmakers member The San Diego Foundation (TSDF) began to analyze how philanthropy could address future problems such as climate change.
“It’s a global problem, but we realized that our efforts to deal with it should be local,” said Emily Young, Ph.D, TSDF’s senior director of environment analysis & strategy. TSDF quickly learned that for any local effort to be effective, it had to be collaborative across the region. So that same year, the organization launched its Climate Initiative and focused on bringing together local governments, businesses and consumers to curb greenhouse gas emissions and vulnerabilities to climate change impacts.
Providing Leaders the Necessary Tools
Among TSDF’s first grants was to bring a national organization, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, to San Diego County to help jurisdictions advance climate change mitigation efforts. Another major funding focus was to support research into climate change so that decisions would be based on sound science.
Through its Climate Initiative, TSDF established the San Diego Regional Collaborative on Climate Change, which includes representation from eight local governments and public agencies. TSDF also regularly convenes nonprofits and advisory committees that expand the Initiative’s collaborative nature.
“We’re demonstrating what philanthropy can bring to the table,” said Scott Peters, chair of the Climate Initiative who is also incoming chairman of the San Diego Port Commission and former San Diego City Council president. “By sharing scientific environmental data that connects climate change to other economic and quality of life issues, we’re providing important tools to help officials make informed policy decisions.”
All Aboard!
These efforts positioned San Diego County to be the first in the nation to have every jurisdiction complete greenhouse gas inventories – important baselines against which to measure the effectiveness of future climate mitigation activities. Additionally, much of the research can serve as a model to other regions.
TSDF's work continues, with an ICLEI-led climate adaptation planning project in the works, as well as a climate education partnership led by the University of San Diego and funded by the National Science Foundation. Current TSDF goals align with the implementation of Senate Bill 375, which seeks to reduce vehicle emissions through better land-use planning.
What Does This Mean About Philanthropy?
“TSDF’s Climate Initiative elevated local awareness about the impacts of climate change and compelled us to work together in a way that is more cost-effective and efficient than if we each approached it separately,” said Michael Meacham, director of economic development for the City of Chula Vista.
Beyond monetary support, philanthropy can be a neutral and consistent convener of the resources and people necessary to resolve long-term societal concerns like environmental sustainability.
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The Focus 2050 Study is one of several research reports on climate change funded by the TSDF Climate Initiative.
