Energy and Sustainability Summit
Our Executive Director, Patty Oh, had the opportunity to moderate a panel at California State University, Fullerton, for their 3rd annual Energy and Sustainability Summit!
Working alongside two other incredible women, Tara Tisopulos Deputy, Director of Environmental Sustainability for the County of Orange, and Lujuana Medina, Environmental Initiatives Division Manager, County of Los Angeles, they tackled critical conversations concerning clean energy and sustainability.
This is just the beginning of our work in encouraging powerful women to take climate action! Stay tuned for further updates on our affinity group for women in sustainability and clean tech.
Water Conservation Workshop
Saturday, September 21, we had an incredible time learning about water conservation with our community! We heard from several speakers who shared their experiences and knowledge of water conservation and how everyone can get involved.
Jaun Garcia from the Irvine Ranch Water District shared easy ways to save water daily, both indoors and outdoors, whether that is turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, limiting shower time, installing low-flow shower heads and elimating unused areas of lawn, stormwater capture, and converting to CA native plants.
Audrey Waight from Sweet and Sacred explored the power of native landscaping and maximizing California's natural terrain.
Jutta Whitaker-Gamboa and Director Randy Crane from the OC Water District showed inspiring water-saving yard transformations, demonstrating how we can create beautiful sustainable landscapes.
(Jutta's before and after is pictured)
Learn more about IRWD's indoor and outdoor rebates and programs HERE
Common Ground Film Screening
Cool OC hosted an exclusive film screening of Common Ground at the Frida Cinema on Sunday, August 25th, from 3:00 to 5:30 PM. The event featured a panel discussion with Grant Johnson, Benito Olamendi, and Jessica Waite, who shared their insights and perspectives on the film's topics. The screening and panel provided an engaging platform for attendees to learn, discuss, and reflect on the issues presented in Common Ground.
3rd Annual Eco Fair
We had an amazing day of community and inspiration as we celebrated our only home - Earth! We had over 30 community partners, small sustainable businesses, the City of Irvine Sustainability Team, and an amazing team of volunteers help us make this possible! Our deepest gratitude all of them and the attendees and elected who came by to show love and support for our environment!
Arbor Day Tree Planting
On April 26, 2024, Cool Irvine partnered with the City of Irvine to plant trees for Arbor Day with a group of fantastic volunteers! Let's remember to protect the trees and our environment since trees give life (oxygen, habitats) and protect life (by absorbing CO2).
Spring Social & Vegan Cookoff
Saturday, March 2nd, Cool Irvine hosted its Spring Social and Vegan Cookoff!
Participants had the opportunity to learn about the Cool Irvine/Cool OC program and the environmental impact of animal agriculture. Dr. Colin Zhu, The Chef Doc, was on hand to answer questions about the benefits of a plant-based diet.
Guests also enjoyed vegan options from Sajj Street Eats and Veggie Grill and indulged in vegan snacks generously donated by Trader Joe's. The event was a great success, fostering community learning and promoting healthier, more sustainable food choices.
Congratulations to Vasantha and Sneha, the winners of our cook-off, and thank you to all who participated and supported the event! #veganissogood
OCPA: Views from Cool OC & Cool Irvine
Learn more through this article, Views from Cool OC & Cool Irvine. This provides Insights from our Executive Director, Patty Oh, who unveils how pivotal support from OCPA propels Cool OC/ Cool Irvine’s mission to enlighten the community about the benefits of green energy.
The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) is part of a growing movement in California that is providing millions of electricity users in local communities an important and critical choice to embrace a cleaner energy future. Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) programs, just like OCPA, enable local government control over how and where electricity is purchased. It allows local cities and counties to opt into a CCA program and offer customers (residential, commercial and municipalities) the opportunity to select the source of their electricity and the rate they want to pay. The more renewable energy – generated from sun, wind, water, geothermal and biomass – the more a customer is contributing to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future.
The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) offers three energy plans, each with different levels of renewable energy and cost savings:
1. Basic Choice Plan: 44% renewable energy, 3% cheaper than SCE rates.
2. Smart Choice Plan: Exclusive to OCPA, 72% renewable energy.
3. 100% Renewable Energy Plan: Also exclusive to OCPA, this plan provides 100% renewable energy.
These plans cater to various preferences, from cost savings to environmental impact, allowing Orange County residents to choose their contribution to a sustainable future.
HB Beach Cleanup with Surfrider North OC
On Saturday, February 24th, from 9 AM to 12 PM, Cool Irvine/ Cool OC proudly joined the Surfrider North OC for a beach cleanup in HB. Together, volunteers dedicated their time to environmental stewardship, successfully recovering 1,267 pounds of trash. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to preserving our environment for future generations. Stay tuned for more initiatives as we continue our mission to promote sustainability in our community.
