Alex Baca Event, 2019-04-07

We hosted our second event at Yimby Action headquarters in SF last week with Alex Baca. Alex talked about how the Green New Deal (GND) represents a pretty nascent and fluid document and coalition, and that the omission of land use and sprawl was more due to oversight than intention. We still have a lot of work to do to make the connections between climate policy, social justice, and land use in people's minds. This means we, as Urban Environmentalists, have a role in joining the coalition and talking to the leading organizations (Sunrise, New Consensus, etc.) and elevating the issue. She also made clear that she is very supportive of the GND regardless and highlighted that in this space we want additive policies and politics, i.e. we need to keep building momentum and add and refine as we go along rather than holding out for the perfect policy.

Turnout was incredible: more than 50 people participated. We’re excited that so many people are interested in housing and transportation as environmental issues, and want to hear more about whether and how you’d like to get more involved.  

The next meeting is Monday, April 29 in the evening - we’ll send a confirmation email with the location and exact time (and will pick the location based on who’s interested!)

Please fill out this 60-second survey so we can get feedback and plan future activities: https://forms.gle/xLSFT9axMV7cTDXg6!

Some more reading and listening materials mentioned in the talk:

1. Alex Baca's Slate article
2. Alex Baca on the Politics vs. Policy Infill podcast
3. Dave Roberts Interview on Ezra Klein Podcast with Rhiana Gunn-Wright, policy architect of the Green New Deal

And here’s information mentioned at the event about actions you can take at the State level to advance housing and transportation solutions to the climate crisis.

1. Housing Policy is Climate Policy in the NYT
2. Information on the More HOMES Act and ways to support it

See you next time!