Sustainable SLO | City of San Luis Obispo, CA

Climate change is already impacting our community and threatening the future we want for our children and future generations. The good news is that together, we can do something about it.

Sustainable SLO is our commitment to take action today to improve our community for tomorrow. It reflects our collective effort to reduce pollution, clean up our air, protect natural resources and open space, and make San Luis Obispo more resilient to extreme heat, wildfires and flooding. Our goal is to reduce carbon pollution by 10% each year, which is our part in the global effort to beat the climate crisis and protect our community today and for generations to come. You’ll see Sustainable SLO around town on clean electric buses, recycling bins, open space trailhead kiosks, water bottle filling stations, electric vehicle chargers, and efficient low-pollution City facilities and fleet vehicles.

To learn more about what the City is up to, please click on the tiles for more information and sign up for the Sustainable SLO newsletter list below.

CLIMATE ACTION IN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

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How is the City of San Luis Obispo impacted by climate change?

The City is already experiencing natural hazards caused by climate change, such as the damaging 2023 winter storms and flooding, the Bridge Fire on the South Hills Natural Reserve in 2020, and the persistent wildfire smoke that lingered during the summer of 2020. In the coming decades San Luis Obispo will experience more fires, floods, droughts, and extreme heat than ever before. Human life and safety, public infrastructure, private development, agriculture, wildlife, and natural resources are all vulnerable to these hazards. You can learn more about local climate change hazards by reading the Hazards and Vulnerabilities report linked here.

Why does taking climate action improve our community?

Creating a low carbon economy can provide lasting economic benefits, address issues of health and equity, and enable communities to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By focusing on key actions like local economic development, increasing active transportation safety and accessibility, reducing the use of fossil fuels, and improving outdoor and indoor air quality, the City's Climate Action Plan plan charts a path to a cleaner, healthier, and safer San Luis Obispo.

How can I take action on climate change locally?

Everyone in our community can take small actions that together can make a big impact and build resilience.

If you’d like to volunteer to support Sustainable SLO efforts and take action for our climate, visit the City's volunteer portal, Engage SLO and sign up today! There are ongoing volunteer opportunities that you could help with including Adopt-a-Park, RecycleRight, tree plantings, and garden and ranger service days.
You can also join the online Resilient SLO Challenge portal to learn about actions you can take in your home and personal life to create a sustainable, just, and thriving community for generations to come. Resilient SLO is a grassroots program of the local 501(c)(3) nonprofit the SLO Climate Coalition.

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What is the City of San Luis Obispo doing about climate change?

As a trusted community leader, the City has a key role to play in implementing innovative climate actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions across City operations. The City is committed to the "action" part of "climate action." It is important that the City “walk the walk" and share its resources and lessons learned along the way. Since the adoption of the 2020 Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery, the City has made substantial progress on advancing climate action in the community. Learn more about our progress here.

Sign up for the City's Sustainable SLO newsletter:

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Climate change is already impacting our community and threatening the future we want for our children and future generations. The good news is that together, we can do something about it.

To learn more about what the City is up to, please click on the tiles for more information and sign up for the Sustainable SLO newsletter list below.

Community Climate Action

Green City Operations

Resilience & Preparedness

Sustainable Transport

Waste and Circularity

Greenbelt Protection

Trees & the Urban Forest

Sustainable Tourism

Water Conservation

Stormwater & Pollution

CLIMATE ACTION IN THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO

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