Orange County Climate Coalition Meeting Recap: Key Initiatives and Opportunities for Activism

By Tomas Castro on March 26, 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

The Orange County Climate Coalition convened on March 25, 2026, for an engaging meeting featuring insightful speakers and urgent calls to action. For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the event is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_ZDb9HFn_tg6gikmtzIWjhsaA8Es-Wl7/view

Highlight: SB 982 – Nicholas Hernandez, Extreme Weather Survivors

Nicholas Hernandez discussed the significant impact of SB 982, the Affordable Insurance and Recovery Act, which aims to transfer the financial burdens of extreme weather events from local communities to major insurance corporations. Hernandez is calling on constituents of State Senator Tom Umberg, who represents Anaheim, Fullerton, Santa Ana, Orange, and La Habra, to participate in a rally at the state capitol on April 14. Senator Umberg, the Chair of the Judiciary Committee, plays a crucial role in advancing the bill. Participants will receive sponsorship for their trip, including a stipend. For more information, inquiries can be directed to Hernandez at nicholas@extremeweathersurvivors.org.

Youth Engagement: EJ Organizing Academy – Sydney Cheung, OCEJ

Sydney Cheung from the Orange County Environmental Justice (OCEJ) shared details about the organization’s annual Environmental Justice Organizing Academy. Scheduled from June 10 to August 5, this summer program offers youth aged 18 to 26 comprehensive training on environmental justice topics, culminating in a certificate and a $500 stipend. Interested individuals must apply by May 18. More details can be found on OCEJ’s website: https://www.ocej.org/ejoa, or interested parties can reach out to Cheung at sydney@ocej.org.

Upcoming Event: CCL Earth Day Walk – April 25 at 10:00 am

The Laguna Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) will host an Earth Day Walk in Laguna Beach on April 25 at 10:00 am, aiming to raise awareness about climate solutions. Additional information is available in the event flyer.

The meeting marked a potent opportunity for community engagement and highlighted the urgent need for collective action on climate issues affecting Orange County and beyond.