Why is local action so important right now? Let’s look at what’s happening in Contra Costa.

The Challenge We Face

Climate change affects every part of Contra Costa. We deal with rising seas, wildfires, smoky air, drought, winter flooding, and extreme heat. The threat of wildfire sweeping from dry hills into our neighborhoods is real. We’ve seen what happened in Los Angeles, and we know it could happen here. At the same time, cities along our shorelines are already preparing for higher tides and flooding.

Many of us have seen these impacts firsthand. These challenges can feel overwhelming, but they also give us a chance to come together, take action, and shape our communities’ future. According to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, three out of four Contra Costa residents want the U.S. to transition off fossil fuels. Most support a full transition to clean energy by 2050. Chances are, many of our city council members feel the same way.

We don’t have to wait for Washington to act. We can make progress right here at home by working with our city and county governments and making sure they know how critical this is.

With surging climate threats, the City Liaison Program provides a refuge in meaningful action. Working toward common goals helps us move from paralyzed helplessness to concrete action steps. Together, we make a difference in the places and lives we care about most. Here’s how it’s happening in our communities.

Working Together for a Pollution-Free Future

This is more than just another climate program. It’s neighbors meeting for the first time in City Hall, collaborating on local projects, and getting to know the officials who represent them. Together, we’re finding new ways to address climate concerns and improve daily life in our own communities.

In Walnut Creek, for example, our city liaisons teamed up with residents and city officials. Together, they organized a city-wide ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. The result? Less pollution and less noise. Especially important: landscape workers are better protected from noxious fumes and the risk of hearing loss.

To borrow from the late John Lewis, when people work together, good stuff happens. Our city liaisons have found that building relationships within their communities is just as rewarding as the climate progress they’re making. As one city liaison said, “What surprised me most was the new friendships I made while learning about how our city government works and getting to know my council members.”

When neighbors become City Liaisons, they do more than build community. They help set the direction for climate action across Contra Costa.

How City Liaisons Shape Local Climate Policy

The 350 Contra Costa Action City Liaison Program turns concern into action and builds local climate leadership. City liaisons attend city council meetings, connect neighbors, and work with elected officials to support fair and effective pollution-reducing policies.

For example, in Moraga, our city liaison worked with local leaders to make sure the city included climate protections and pollution-reduction measures in its updated General Plan. And when liaisons work together, as they did in Walnut Creek, their impact multiplies.

You could be the next person to help shape local climate policy, or to spark a new initiative in your community.

Here are some ways city liaisons are helping shape climate policy and build stronger communities in Contra Costa:

• Amplifying Community Voices. Our city liaisons make sure residents are heard by sharing feedback with local officials and keeping climate action at the top of the agenda.
• Working Directly with Local Leaders. We build trust with officials and help move projects forward, from planning for disasters to reducing pollution.
• Tailoring Solutions to Each City. We help develop plans tailored to each city’s unique climate challenges so you can address the issues that matter most in your community.
• Empowering Residents. We encourage and support people to become climate advocates, helping more neighbors get involved and improve their communities.
• Uniting for Countywide Impact. We connect efforts across all 19 cities and the county to push for coordinated change.
• Building Lasting Resilience. We foster long-term community strength and readiness so that Contra Costa can adapt to future climate challenges together.

You’ve seen how city liaisons make a difference, one connection and one action at a time. If you feel inspired to join, even in a small way, you’ll find a friendly community ready to support you.

Who Should Become a City Liaison

Contra Costa County is home to a vibrant mix of people from all walks of life. We encourage everyone, regardless of age, background, or identity, who cares about their community and wants to help address climate change here at home, to get involved in the City Liaison program. No special qualifications or prior experience are needed. Your perspective is welcome and valued, and everyone has something meaningful to contribute.

That’s what makes the City Liaison Program so effective: People from every background turn shared concern into action.

What We Offer and How We Support City Liaisons

As a City Liaison, you become part of our Equipo de Política Local—the group that developed and continues to guide the City Liaison program. Here’s what you can expect:

• A welcoming orientation and training to help you get started and meet the team
• A mentor you can call or email for advice or just plain encouragement as you go
• Optional monthly team meetings (3pm, Third Thursday, 1 hour) to swap updates, ideas, and advice
• A community of fellow advocates ready to troubleshoot, celebrate, and learn with you
• A web page just for your city, making it easy to find local info and resources

More about that web page: We are developing a web page for each of the nineteen Contra Costa cities, with seven now online. Each city page includes a bit of local history and the latest updates on the city’s climate action plan, public transit, and bike lanes. You’ll also find introductions to your city council members (with contact info) and a calendar of city meetings and campaigns. Our Contra Costa Climate Action portal pulls it all together, so you’re always in the loop.

How City Liaisons Influence Local Climate Solutions

As a City Liaison, you might start simply by keeping an eye on city council agendas or chatting with a neighbor about what’s coming up at the next meeting. Maybe you’ll attend a council session—sometimes just to listen, sometimes to raise a concern or share an idea.

Over time, you’ll get to know the people making decisions and find ways to bring up issues that matter to you and your neighbors. And after each meeting, you can share what you learned with the rest of us, either in our monthly check-ins or by sending a quick note. Here are some ways you might get involved:

• Scan city council agendas for topics like climate, housing, transportation, and land use
• Attend meetings to listen, take notes, or speak up about issues that concern you
• Keep tabs on Sustainability Committee and Planning Commission meetings for new developments
• Inform our Equipo de Política Local about anything important you notice or learn

Your presence and your voice help keep climate action on the radar in your city. You never know when a small point you raise might spark a larger conversation or a fundamental change in city policy.

Your Time Commitment

Most city liaisons spend 3 to 5 hours a month in this role, but the time commitment is flexible. You decide how much you want to do. Your level of involvement can be adjusted to fit your schedule.

At minimum, we ask that you monitor your city council’s agenda for items affecting environmental quality in your town and keep us apprised of developments. That might take as little as half an hour a month.

If your interest and time permit, you might consider taking a more active role, attending meetings, speaking up during public comments, or building a team of like-minded residents to address the challenges.

Every contribution is valuable, no matter how small, and your role can be tailored to what works best for you. There’s room for everyone.

Growing a Team and Community

You might start out on your own as a City Liaison, but you don’t have to do it all yourself. Chances are, you’ll soon meet neighbors who share your concerns about local climate impacts. As you build relationships, you’ll organically form a team of residents who recognize the power of working together to strengthen climate resiliency and reduce pollution in your city.

Like other liaisons, you may discover the work is not just meaningful, but enjoyable. Working with like-minded people eases that sense of climate anxiety we all feel sometimes. Along the way, you’ll discover small joys: new connections, learning more about your city, and the satisfaction of doing something good for your community’s future.

Sign Up to Help Drive Local Climate Change Solutions

If this City Climate Action Liaison role sounds like a fit for you, reach out to us at info@contracostaaction.org for more details, or click the button below to fill out our online volunteer form. Be sure to include “City Liaison Volunteer” and the name of your city in the subject line of your email, or on the “Other” line of the form. 

Once you sign up, you’ll receive a welcome email from our team with details about next steps, including an invitation to attend a brief orientation session. We’ll introduce you to your local mentor, provide helpful resources, and get you connected with other City Liaisons. You’ll have plenty of support as you get started with us.