Cool Davis

Cool Davis works with the City of Davis, local businesses, community organizations, and residents to inspire and empower the Davis community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Launched in 2010 with the support of the City of Davis, Cool Davis’s goal is to engage 75% of the community in pursuit of a low carbon lifestyle and a carbon neutral community by 2050. Cool Davis is the brainchild of the Cool Davis Foundation, an independent, 501(c)3 LOCAL non-profit organization that gratefully accepts your tax deductible donations.

Orion Schoeneman is keeping It cool with Rosie the Rickshaw for Picnic Day 2016.  Photo Credit Leslie Crenna.                                                                                    

We Make Being Green Easy

Our community has always acted proactively to foster a healthy, livable environment. Investments in bike lanes, greenbelts, recycling programs, solar energy, public transportation, and LEED certified structures have been paying off for decades. The landmark Village Homes development is known worldwide as a model of sustainable living, our Farmer’s Market is often ranked in the top 10 nationally, and sustainability pioneers at the University of California at Davis have made great strides.

But a watershed moment came in 2010 when the city officially adopted the Davis Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (D-CAAP) and committed to carbon neutrality by the year 2050, a goal more ambitious than the reductions required by the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB-32). Despite our past accomplishments, this was a bold and unprecedented step.

Clara Perez and Lynne Nittler connect residents with experts at the Cool Davis Festival 2014. Cool Homes on the path to a low carbon lifestyle. Solar panels are popping up on roofs all over Davis Photo Credit Yvonne Hunter.

From this catalyst, Cool Davis was born. Our mission as a non-profit organization is to inspire our community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and improve the quality of life for all. We are an active network of individuals, organizations, businesses, and civic and faith institutions committed to implementing the household engagement portion of the D-CAAP.

Working closely with the City of Davis, Cool Davis connects residents with climate change solutions through fairs, festivals, workshops, and video viewings, not to mention our website, newsletter, and social media. More than 80 community organizations have joined the Cool Davis Coalition as partners and more than 1,500 residents have signed pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2016, Cool Davis launched the first of a series of robust neighborhood campaigns in partnership with the City of Davis and other community organizations to challenge households to adopt energy-efficiency measures, change their transportation modes, and reshape their consumption of food, goods, and services.

The Double Up on Solar campaign set its sights on doubling the number of rooftop solar system installs and capacity by 2020. City Council adopted these goals in partnership with Cool Davis in recognition of our community’s impressive 20% powered-by-solar achievement and the clear potential for more.

For all that we give to the community, Cool Davis also needs your help. Volunteer your talents and expertise in the areas of communications, organizing, or event support. We also welcome you to join the Cool Davis Coalition or become one of our partners.

There are countless ways to make a difference. Let Cool Davis be one for you. Let’s cool Davis together!

  Residents Yvonne Hunter and Richard McCann work together at Solar Fair 2016 Photo Credit Yvonne Hunter. Simple solutions go a long way like hanging your laundry to dry Photo Credit Chrissy Backman. Electric Vehicles have increased range and decreased in price.

2010-08-17 18:13:59   why not focus your efforts on regulating the trucking industry? They put out much more carbon per year than Davis can, and even getting change thru legislation would have a bigger effect, on a larger area.

Not to be apathetic or anything —StevenDaubert

2016-09-07 15:19:46   Yea! Finally some regulations on trucks! https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/08/16/white-house-sets-new-fuel-efficiency-standards-for-heavy-duty-trucks-vans-and-buses/?utm_term=.10f1056bb2fd —cooldavis