We’re excited to introduce a new way for our community to connect, learn, and take action together: the Community Climate Forum.
This re-imagined version of our Climate Circle will bring together community members every other month for a one-hour online conversation focused on key climate and clean-air campaigns happening right here in Contra Costa and the Bay Area. Each session will include a short overview of the issue, time for discussion, and simple actions participants can take to help move solutions forward.
Whether you’re new to 350 Contra Costa or already involved, the Community Climate Forum is designed to make it easy to stay informed and engaged, even if you can only join occasionally.
Most people think of cars or industry when they think about air pollution. But gas appliances inside our homes, especially furnaces and water heaters, are actually one of the largest sources of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution in the Bay Area.
NOx pollution contributes to smog and fine particulate pollution that worsen asthma, increase heart and lung disease, and shorten lives. In fact, pollution from fossil-fuel furnaces and water heaters in the region is linked to thousands of asthma attacks each year and dozens of premature deaths, with significant health costs across our communities.
At our first Community Climate Forum, we’ll explore how pollution from buildings affects public health in the Bay Area, why reducing it matters for our communities, and what cleaner technologies like electric heat pumps can offer for healthier homes.
We’ll also discuss the Bay Area Air District’s upcoming standards that will begin phasing in cleaner replacements for gas appliances as they reach the end of their life, starting with water heaters in 2027 and furnaces in 2029. These rules are currently under review, and community voices will play an important role in ensuring they remain strong while working well for all households.
Join us to learn more about this issue and how you can help support clean air protections in the Bay Area.
Register for the Community Climate Forum to be sent the Zoom link.
Air pollution and safety concerns around the Martinez Refining Company continue to impact nearby communities including Martinez, Pacheco, Vine Hill, and Clyde.
The refinery has experienced multiple pollution incidents in recent years, including a major fire in February 2025. It sent thick smoke containing benzene, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter over surrounding neighborhoods and triggered shelter-in-place orders. These incidents add to ongoing concerns about the cumulative health impacts of refinery pollution in the area.
New enforcement update: In February 2026, the Contra Costa District Attorney and Bay Area Air District secured a $10 million penalty against Martinez Refining Company for numerous violations between 2020 and 2024, including illegal flaring, toxic dust releases, leaking tanks, and strong odors affecting the community. Part of the settlement will fund local environmental and public health projects, such as air filtration systems in nearby schools.
Local advocacy group Healthy Martinez has been closely tracking refinery violations and community health impacts and recently issued a statement on the enforcement action.
For more details see our article, Martinez CA Refinery Health Threats.
Public transit systems across the Bay Area, including BART, AC Transit, Muni, and Caltrain, are facing a serious funding shortfall. Without new funding, agencies warn that major service cuts could begin as early as 2026, affecting riders, increasing traffic, and undermining the region’s climate goals.
A new state law, the Connect Bay Area Act, creates a path for voters in five Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa, to approve a regional funding measure in November 2026 that could generate about $1 billion per year to stabilize and improve transit service.
Before voters can decide, supporters must gather signatures to place the measure on the ballot. Look out for volunteers collecting signatures in public places and consider adding your name to help ensure voters have the chance to support stronger transit across the Bay Area.
For more information see Connect Bay Area Act Authorizes a Regional Tax Measure to Save Transit at SPUR.
Contra Costa County and the Ambrose Recreation and Park District are exploring how the Ambrose Community Center in Bay Point could become a Resilience Hub, a place that helps support residents before, during, and after emergencies such as extreme heat, flooding, or power outages.
Community input will help shape what services and resources the center could provide during emergencies.
If you live in Bay Point or Pittsburg, please take a few minutes to complete this short survey and share what resources would be most helpful for you and your family.
350 Contra Costa Climate Action invites you to join us at the fifth annual California Climate Policy Summit, hosted by The Climate Center, on Monday, April 13, 2026, in Sacramento.
At a time when federal climate progress is under attack, this summit brings together California leaders to focus on what’s next, and what’s possible. Elected officials, climate advocates, environmental justice leaders, scientists, business innovators, and policy experts will gather to share strategies that keep California moving forward on science-based climate solutions.
The summit is a chance to connect across sectors, learn how policymakers are accelerating the clean energy transition, and explore approaches that support healthier communities and a more affordable, resilient future for all Californians.
Get more information and a special 25% discount code for 350 Contra Costa Action participants here.
Want to help drive climate action in our community? We’re looking for volunteers to support several key roles:
Climate Action Newsletter Writer: Help research and write stories that keep our community informed about local climate issues and solutions. Description of role here.
Social Media Manager: Help amplify climate news, events, and actions by managing and growing our social media presence. Description of role here.
Website Content Assistant: Help keep our website updated with news, events, blog posts, and resources so community members can easily find the information they need. Description of role here.
Photographer: Capture photos at events and in local communities to help tell the story of climate action across Contra Costa.
City Climate Action Liaison: Represent 350 Contra Costa in your city by tracking local climate policies and connecting with community leaders. Description of role here.
These are just some of the great opportunities to build skills, meet like-minded people, and make a real impact locally.
Contact us on info@350contracostaaction.org.
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350 Contra Costa Action
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The time for climate action is now!
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This message has not been expressly authorized, requested, or approved by any federal, state, or local candidate, candidate’s committee or their agents, or by any ballot issue committee.
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