Sustainable San Rafael Milestones

Showing up has an impact!  Since our inception in 2005, Sustainable San Rafael has organized a number of important events voicing our support for local government to focus on sustainable policies and plan for the mitigation of climate change. Here are just some of our organizational milestones. 

Our Debut July 4, 2006

​Sustainable San Rafael was formed in the fall of 2005, and for our first six months or so, we were known only to a small circle of people working on a Green Building Ordinance for San Rafael. But the next year we decided to hold a coming-out party in the big July 4 parade through Corte Madera and Larkspur. We pulled together a "Parade of Priuses," lots of signs for our favorite causes and a rolling "Mt. Trashmore" to illustrate our waste concerns. The rest, as they say, is history.

Advocating for first San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP)
​April 2009

 ​Sustainable San Rafael advocated for the City's first  Climate Change Action Plan. We helped lead a thorough process of public involvement to come up with practical ways to reduce both the causes and impacts of climate change, resulting in a comprehensive plan that was adopted in April 2009 and became a model for other Marin communities. We've remained involved in plan implementation at quarterly update meetings ever since and helped draft a ten-year revision of the Plan in 2019. 

Launch of Marin Clean EnerGy (MCE) (May 2010)

Sustainable San Rafael was instrumental in the long battle to create Marin Clean Energy (now MCE) culminating in 2010 with the first Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) electricity provider in California. MCE now provides electricity service and cutting-edge energy programs to more than one million residents and businesses in 37 member communities across four Bay Area counties: Marin, Contra Costa, Napa, and Solano. Its "Deep Green" renewable energy option is the keystone of climate action in Marin, allowing customers to reduce their greenhouse gas footprint by 95% when they plug in their EVs and all-electric buildings.

2009 Downtown San Rafael "Beach Party" 

​On October 25, 2009, Sustainable San Rafael rallied the community at the corner of Second Street and Lindaro Avenue to warn people that this sunny, dry corner is fated to become beach-front if humanity doesn't do something serious to reduce greenhouse gases. After rallying at the "Beach" in appropriate attire, we adjourned to Courthouse Square for speeches and calls for action at the upcoming Copenhagen climate conference.  The "Beach Party" was one of thousands that took place around the world hat day under the banner of the newly formed 350.org. The last photo shows the same spot submerged in water ten years later. 

​Launch of Time to Lead on Climate collaborative (October, 2013)
On August 15, 2013 a standing-room-only crowd packed the Mill Valley Community Center to hear Congressman Jared Huffman and a panel of experts answer the question “What Would Climate Leadership Look Like in Washington?” The lead sponsors were Sustainable San Rafael and Organizing for Action, and 24 co-sponsors made important contributions to staging this ambitious event.  This team evolved into the ’Time to Lead on Climate’ coalition producing major future events, co-chaired by Sustainable San Rafael.

 SSR 10th Anniversary Party
​On August 9, 2015, over 100 members and friends of Sustainable San Rafael gathered at Whipper Snapper to celebrate our tenth Birthday. We especially honored Kiki LaPorta and Sue Spofford, who founded the organization in 2005 shortly after completing the Environmental Forum of Marin’s Master Class together. Mayor Gary Phillips, future Mayor Kate Colin, and Supervisor Damon Connolly were among the many elected officials celebrating the occasion.

​ SSR Annual Garden Party 2019 

​On August 11, friends and members of Sustainable San Rafael gathered at Board Member Greg Brockbank’s house for our annual summer get-together. President Bill Carney gave his overview of the year’s accomplishments and challenges.  Then we presented Leslie Alden with our 2019 Sustainability Hero award, honoring her years as Senior Aide to County Supervisors Kate Sears and the late Charles McGlashan. And, in between speakers, Jim Stone entertained us with some familiar movement songs from the 60’s that seem newly relevant heading into the election year. 

General Plan 2040, Downtown Plan, Climate Action Plan 2030
​steering committees (2019)

Sustainable San Rafael has worked closely with City officials on several key strategic efforts that guide the City's future.
We have been key partners in the steering committees for the General Plan 2040, the Downtown Plan, and the Climate Change Action Plan 2030.

Launch of MarinCAN 2020

Originally called Drawdown Marin, the newly launched MarinCAN is a public/private partnership whose mission is to reduce Marin's greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2030 and below net zero emissions by 2045. Sustainable San Rafael was among a core cohort of climate groups that conceived and nurtured the idea through the County's Board of Supervisors. A new nonprofit board now guides the process, working to support a range of key Climate Solutions being conducted by partner organizations to meet MarinCAN's ambitious goals.