What do we do?
Through direct action campaigning we are fighting to shift popular support away from the fossil fuel industry, and pressuring decision makers to act on the urgency of the climate crisis. Our latest campaign focuses on bringing 100% renewable energy to California’s college campuses.
We also host leadership retreats for our members. The goals of retreats are to deepen relationships between statewide leaders, build skills through trainings, and make organizational decisions. These events are a great place for leaders to meet and connect with their counterparts from around the state.
What does it mean to be a part of CSSC?
There are a wide range of ways people engage with CSSC. These could include: working on and contributing to statewide campaigns; making and fostering connections with other climate-oriented activists and members; joining and facilitating climate projects and committees across the state. We are driving the conversation in California on sustainability with young thinkers and do-ers (and the young at heart!).
How can I be involved?
You can be involved by becoming a member for $5+, joining our statewide campaigns, or attending our other events. We also invite you to participate in our committees, lead with the Board of Advisors, apply for our jobs or internships, and donate.
What does equitable resiliency mean?
We define resilience as the sustained ability of a community to utilize available resources (energy, communication, transportation, food, etc.) to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations (e.g. climate change fueled disasters). Equitable resiliency is when resilience practice takes into account issues of social vulnerability and differential access to power, knowledge, and resources.
How are we different now than we were in the past?
We have done some major restructuring in the last couple of years, and we’d like you to be part of our non-profit’s new focus. Our heart has remained the same (we will always foster a passion for sustainability), but we have developed a new membership model and mission statement. Our new membership model now allows anyone in California to join: students, alumnx*, community members, and staff. This new model is more inclusive, and allows members to be involved at a level that best works for them. Members are also asked to contribute minimal yearly dues ($5+) to foster a sense of ownership, and help fund campaigns.
What happened to convergences? What are we doing now?
We hosted statewide convergences in the past. These events helped welcome people to us and invite them to explore emerging areas of sustainability, and gave them a platform for action through campaigns. Celebratory in nature, the goal of convergences was to bring people into the movement and provide transferable skills or theories.
As result of our restructuring into a campaign-based organization, we will instead be hosting campaign focused events like Spark to kick-off new campaigns.
What are the details of Spark?
Spark is like a hack-a-thon where anyone (not just students) can plan our grassroots, statewide campaign to pressure decision-makers to act on the climate crisis and equitable resiliency in California.
Each Spark might have a different goal. Join our 2018 Spark to plan for 100% clean, renewable energy in California colleges because the largest source of pollution from greenhouse gas emissions from human activities in the U.S. is from burning fossil fuels for electricity.
What is the difference between convergences and Spark?
Unlike conferences and convergences, you’ll get to plan our campaign.
Where can I find your governing documents?
You can find them here.
Is the Fossil Free Campaign part of CSSC?
Yes. While Fossil Free started as an initiative of 350.org, the Fossil Free Campaign in California colleges is a CSSC initiative.
Since 2011, the Fossil Free Campaign has been pushing the UC system to immediately stop all investment in the 200 oil, gas, and coal companies with the largest carbon reserves and to drop remaining investments in these companies. Simultaneously, the campaign has been urging the UCs to align their investment portfolios with their mission statements and use their investments to promote the transition to a low-carbon and just economy. Learn more about our Fossil Free Campaign in our feature in Earth Island Journal.
How can I help spread the word?
Engage with our content on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)! You can also subscribe to our newsletter and apply to our jobs and internships.
I don’t have any time to spare, how can I help?
Donate to us! Even $5 helps!