This past Sunday, Sierra Club members and activists, alongside Angeles County community members, gathered in Costa Mesa to celebrate and honor elected politicians for their fearless leadership in climate.
Led by the OC Political Committee Chair Margee Hills, the event was an inspiring and energizing affair. Not only did attendees strengthen their existing relationships with other climate advocates, but new connections were formed, opening doors to even more effective climate action. Check out this reel on our Instagram to see attendees reflect on what climate policies were most important to them, and what continues to give them hope.
Five elected officials were honored for their work. Attorney General Rob Bonta, who expressed his gratitude via video, is known for his strong record on the environment, especially regarding environmental justice and climate change. With a clear understanding of the climate crisis as an actual crisis that requires ongoing collaborative action within and outside California no matter what is going on at the federal level, he has been a strong supporter of environmental justice and believes it is up to the states to step up to continue to emphasize the importance of environmental justice in the consideration of environmental policies.
Ayn Craciun was also presented with a Political Leadership Award for her decade of work advocating on environmental issues in Orange County, especially in the City of Irvine. She is the Orange County Policy Director for the Climate Action Campaign.
Councilmember Rick Cole was presented with a Political Leadership Award for his lifelong involvement in government and public service. This year he returned to the Pasadena City Council, a position he first held 40 years ago. He has been involved in Pasadena 100, a coalition of 23 organizations (including the Sierra Club) promoting Pasadena’s electric utility to a carbon-free future by 2030. Rick has been recognized nationally as one of America’s “Public Officials of the Year” by Governing Magazine and won awards for his expertise in municipal management from the American Association of Public Administrators and the Municipal Management Association of Southern California. His hallmark has always been how to improve results for people, striving for “government that works better and costs less.”
Councilmember Nithya Raman was also honored with a Political Leadership Award for her strong record on the environment, especially regarding environmental justice and climate change. Councilmember Raman has shown a clear understanding of the climate crisis as an actual crisis that requires ongoing collaborative action within and outside California no matter what is going on at the federal level. She has been a strong supporter of environmental justice. Among other things, Councilmember Raman has advocated for zero emission shipping at the Port of Los Angeles, supported city and state-wide transitions to all electric vehicles, co-sponsored a motion to develop a comprehensive regional wildlife habitat master plan, sponsored legislation to decarbonize City buildings and sponsored a resolution to support the designation of areas of the San Gabriel Mountains as a National Monument.
And finally San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre was honored, in recognition of her exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to protecting the environment. Supervisor Aguirre has championed environmental justice and played a pivotal role in addressing the Tijuana River pollution crisis, earning her a reputation as a tireless advocate for communities and natural resources alike.
The event also served as the first official appearance of the new Angeles Chapter Director Juanita Chavez. Ms. Chavez gave remarks to the crowd about her excitement to step into the role, her extensive background in social justice and advocacy, and rallied the audience to respond to her question “Do you believe we can come together and make a difference?” with a rousing “Si, se puede!”.
The Political Leadership Awards reminds us of our power, our power as an organization to help climate champions take important elected offices, our power to keep those elected officials accountable, and our power as a community of climate activists who are consistently working to build a more just and sustainable future. Events like this are important reminders of that power, and invaluable moments to encourage contributions to electing environmental champions.
By Megan Spatz, Senior Creative Media Producer