Toolkits

Our climate-related toolkits are broken down into the following categories:

1. Basic Resources

2. Building and Building Operations

3. Business

4. Community Members / Individuals

5. Educational Opportunities

6. Government

7. Organizations

8. Students and Schools

9. Easy Access to City Info

Basic Resources

RealClimate is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response to developing stories and provide the context sometimes missing in mainstream commentary. The discussion here is restricted to scientific topics and will not get involved in any political or economic implications of the science. This site is especially useful for separating scientific fact from fiction. Start here…

Mandate and Membership of the IPCC: Recognizing the problem of potential global climate change, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. It is open to all members of the UN and WMO. The role of the IPCC is to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.

The Pew Center on Global Climate Change was established in 1998 as a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization. The Center’s mission is to provide credible information, straight answers, and innovative solutions in the effort to address global climate change.

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Building and Building Operations

Build It Green is a professional non-profit membership organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy and resource-efficient buildings in California. Supported by a solid foundation of outreach and education, Build It Green connects consumers and building professionals with the tools and technical expertise they need to build quality green buildings.

The Residential Energy Services Network’s (RESNET) mission is to ensure the success of the building energy performance certification industry, set the standards of quality, and increase the opportunity for ownership of high performance buildings. RESNET is a membership 501-C-3 non profit organization.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit composed of leaders from every sector of the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Our more than 10,500 member organizations and our network of 75 regional chapters are united to advance our mission of transforming the building industry to sustainability.

Core Purpose
The U.S. Green Building Council‘s core purpose is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.

Products and Services

Buildium has a Green Building Guide that will show you the best ways to make your home more sustainable without breaking the bank.

Business

ClimateBiz.com: The Business Resource for Climate Management is a free, Web-based resource to help companies of all sizes and sectors understand and address climate change in a way that aligns environmental responsibility with business success.

Our mission is to provide hands-on tools, action steps, and other resources companies can use to understand the underlying issues, assess their climate footprint, and devise and implement a plan to significantly reduce their climate impacts throughout their operations and supply chains.

All ClimateBiz.com resources are free and accessible without restriction.

The ISO 14000 family addresses “environmental management”. This means what the organization does to:

minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities, and to
achieve continual improvement of its environmental performance.

Natural Capitalism Solutions (NCS)’ mission is to educate senior decision-makers in business, government and civil society about the principles of sustainability.* NCS shows how to restore and further enhance the natural and human capital while increasing prosperity and quality of life. In partnership with leading thinkers and groups, NCS creates innovative, practical tools and implementation strategies for companies, communities and countries. Natural Capitalism Solutions (NCS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

[Download] the Climate Protection manual for Cities (4.4 MB .pdf)

Certification of environmental performance: The Bay Area Green Business Program is a successful partnership of environmental agencies and utilities that assist recognize and promote businesses and government agencies that volunteer to operate in a more environmentally responsible way. To be certified “green,” participants must be in compliance with all regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. We offer motivated businesses and agencies an easy-to-use framework for improving environmental performance.

The California Climate Action Registry (the Registry) was established by California statute as a non-profit voluntary registry for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The purpose of the Registry is to help companies and organizations with operations in the state to establish GHG emissions baselines against which any future GHG emission reduction requirements may be applied.

Climate Change Education .Org & Focus the Nation, Portal Web Site Dedicated to: Global Warming Education, Climate Change Education, Science, Solutions — Resources Directory. Portal Website — used by millions. For Students, Teachers, Families, Researchers, Everyone

The Climate Group: Our mission is to catalyze business and government leadership on climate change in order to put the world on track for a low carbon economy.

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. The GHG Protocol Initiative, a decade-long partnership between the World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, is working with businesses, governments, and environmental groups around the world to build a new generation of credible and effective programs for tackling climate change.

Calculation Tools - The GHG emission calculation tools offer step-by-step guidance on calculating GHG emissions data. Each tool comprises a guidance section and automated worksheets. All calculation tools have been peer-reviewed and tested by experts and industry leaders and represent a “best practice” for emission calculation tools.

Step It Up 2007 is a campaign organized by people all around the country, calling for leadership on global warming. Our goal is to empower the grassroots climate movement to take action locally by calling for national change.

The central Step It Up team coordinates the national day of action. We do not provide financial assistance to local events, however, we provide as much support as we possibly can! We also maintain the website, and do our best to connect local Step It Up organizers with the wider grassroots climate movement.

Climate Leaders is an EPA industry-government partnership that works with companies to develop long-term comprehensive climate change strategies. Partners set a corporate-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal and inventory their emissions to measure progress. By reporting inventory data to EPA, Partners create a lasting record of their accomplishments. Partners also identify themselves as corporate environmental leaders and strategically position themselves as climate change policy continues to unfold.

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Community Members / Individuals

American Forests is a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests. Calculator to determine individual greenhouse gas emissions.

“Low Carbon Diet” this “30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds” is a fun, accessible, easy to use guide that will show you, step-by-step, how to dramatically reduce your CO₂ output in just a month’s time.

Ever wondered how much “nature” your lifestyle requires? You’re about to find out.
This Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard. After answering 15 easy questions you’ll be able to compare your Ecological Footprint to what other people use and to what is available on this planet.

U.S. EPA Climate Change – What you can do. This site provides over 25 easy steps you can take to not only reduce your greenhouse gas emissions, but also reduce air pollution, increase the nation’s energy independence and save money.

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Educational Opportunities

The Merritt College Environmental Management and Technology Program, and Environmental Center (Self-Reliant House) are located in the Oakland Hills between two wild land watershed open spaces. Courses offered cover an array of subjects including: Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Agroecology and Urban Farming, Alternative Energies, Ecology, Global Warming, Ecological Restoration, Food Security, Environmental Justice, Sustainable Cities, Policy and Planning, Human Ecology, Forests, Wetlands, Water Resources, Ranger/ Naturalist Training, Environmental Education, Air Quality, Recycling, Pollution, Wildlife, Population, Transportation and Green Building.

Sonoma State University, Green Building Certificate Program is designed with the working professional in mind. It is a yearlong program focused on developing the understanding necessary to enable sustainable building decision making within a corporate, institutional, non-profit, municipal, or individual setting. Graduates of this program will be able to work with the owners, project managers, architects, engineers, builders, and subcontractors for a project to facilitate Green Building decision making.

Dominican University of California’s Green MBA program is an accredited, on site graduate program in the San Francisco Bay Area. Graduates receive a Masters of Business Administration in Sustainable Enterprise.

Leadership Institue for Ecology and the Economy Mission: Educate current and future leaders, as well as the local community, on the need to integrate environmental, economic, and social equity issues in order to live sustainably and ensure a high quality of life for future generations.

About the Institute: We are a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Sonoma County and dedicated to insuring a sustainable future for California’s North Coast. Our goal is to train people committed to a sustainable future to be more effective leaders, and to educate community leaders and the public to understand that the future of our economy and quality of life are dependent on each other.

Presidio School of Management offers an MBA program in Sustainable Management integrating social and environmental values within every course. Since 2003, the program has succeeded as a collaborative learning community committed to human, natural and financial sustainability.

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Government

California Climate Change Portal combines information on the impacts of climate change on California and the state’s policies relating to global warming with the California Climate Change Center, a “virtual” research and information web site. The web site. originally combined the output from two separate offices at the California Energy Commission - the Climate Change Program Office and the Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program’s climate change research unit - along with input from other state agencies. Information on his web site. is coordinated by the Climate Action Team. The web site. is hosted by the California Energy Commission and operated by the Commission’s Media and Public Communications Office under the direction of the Commission’s Executive Office.

California Climate Change Portal with links to :

An Environmental Management System (EMS) was a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency. This Web site provides information and resources related to EMS for businesses, associations, the public, and state and federal agencies.

ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability is an international association of more than 650 local governments. Cities, counties, towns and villages around the world are members of ICLEI. Since 1993, ICLEI and has grown from a handful of local governments participating in a pilot project to more than 250 who are providing national leadership on climate protection and sustainable development.

ICLEI’s mission is to improve the global environment through local action. On the issue of global warming, for example, we provide resources, tools, peer networking, best practices, and technical assistance to help local governments measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities.

Natural Capitalism Solutions: This manual will show mayors how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in his/her unique community. This manual has gone through an extensive peer review process. And was released at the ICLEI Sundance Summit, for comment from the mayors and city officials assembled there.

[Download] the Climate Protection manual for Cities (4.4 MB .pdf)

Report of the City of Portland Peak Oil Task Force. Every day, businesses, government agencies and households around the world plan and make decisions based on the assumption that oil and natural gas will remain plentiful and affordable. In the past few years, powerful evidence has emerged that casts doubt on that assumption and suggests that global production of both oil and natural gas is likely to reach its historic peak soon. This phenomenon is referred to as “peak oil.” Given both the continuous rise in global demand for these products and the fundamental role they play in all levels of social, economic and geopolitical activities, the consequences of such an event are enormous. This report assesses Portland’s vulnerabilities in the face of wide-ranging changes in global energy markets and provides an initial set of recommendations for addressing that challenge thoughtfully and prudently.

Santa Barbara County has recently completed their comprehensive energy plan showing how they can get off fossil fuels by 2033 or sooner. They hope this will become a model emulated far and wide and are working with some key groups already to make this happen. The plan is designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of people, businesses, and local governments by not appealing just to those concerned about climate change. They lead with a discussion of national security and foreign policy, then climate change and air pollution.

Sustainlane Government: Our open-source knowledge base speeds discovery, research and networking with more than 120 best practice documents and a secure directory of participating government officials from over 500 cities, counties and states

The California Energy Commission is the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency. Created by the Legislature in 1974 and located in Sacramento, the Commission has five major responsibilities:

Forecasting future energy needs and keeping historical energy data
Licensing thermal power plants 50 megawatts or larger
Promoting energy efficiency through appliance and building standards
Developing energy technologies and supporting renewable energy
Planning for and directing state response to energy emergency

The Climate Impacts Group

Public decision makers have a critical opportunity – and a need – to start preparing today for the impacts of climate change. Preparing for climate change is not a “one size fits all” process, however. Just as the impacts of climate change will vary from place to place, the combination of institutions and legal and political tools available to public decision-makers are unique from region to region. Preparedness actions will need to be tailored to the circumstances of different communities.

The Climate Impacts Group and King County, Washington, in partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, are pleased to announce the release of Preparing for Climate Change: A Guidebook for Local, Regional, and State Governments. The guidebook, released September 11, is designed to facilitate planning for climate impacts at the local level by specifying practical steps and strategies that can be used to build community resilience into the future.

Organizations

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.

The mission of California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) is to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. This ministry intends to protect the earth’s ecosystems, safeguard public health, and ensure sufficient, sustainable energy for all.

Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) is a network of over three dozen local groups dedicated to halting the threat of global climate change in our communities and the state. If your community does not have a group yet, contact us for ideas on how to start one! Climate protection from the grass roots up!

The mission of Post Carbon Institute is to assist communities in the effort to Relocalize and adapt to an energy constrained world. Post Carbon Institute is a think, action and education tank offering research, project tools, education and information to implement proactive strategies to adapt to an energy constrained world. The development of Post Carbon Institute came out of concern for the environmental, social, political and economic ramifications of global over-reliance on cheap energy. Their main response to these concerns is the strategy of Relocalization, which aims to rebuild societies based on the local production of food and energy, and the Relocalization of currency, governance and culture. The main goals of Relocalization are to increase community energy security, strengthen local economies, and dramatically improve environmental conditions and social equity. Initiatives include: Global Public Media, Oil Depletion Protocol, Relocalization Network, and Local Energy Farms.

Sightline Institute (formerly Northwest Environment Watch) is a not-for-profit research and communication center-a think tank-based in Seattle and founded in 1993 by Alan Durning. Sightline’s mission is to bring about sustainability-a healthy, lasting prosperity grounded in place.Nonpartisan and wholly independent, Sightline’s only ideology is commitment to the shared values of strong communities, fair markets, and responsible stewardship. Our focus is Cascadia, or the Pacific Northwest.

The Alliance: Our mission is to persuade the American people — and people elsewhere in the world – of the importance and urgency of adopting and implementing effective and comprehensive solutions for the climate crisis. The Chairman of the Board, Al Gore, has been an advocate and leader for climate action for over 30 years.

The National Energy Center for Sustainable Communities (NECSC) promotes healthier and more productive communities by integrating cleaner energy systems and energy-smart planning and design into new development and redevelopment projects.

United Nations Environmental Program, Grid-Arendal is an excellent source for information and graphics, including a “CO₂ meter” showing the current estimated annual rate of global anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide, based on projections made by the International Energy Agency.

The mission is to provide environmental information, communications and capacity building services for information management and assessment. The focus is to make credible, science-based knowledge understandable to the public and to decision-making for sustainable development. Seeking to bridge the gap between science and politics, an increasing focus is given to environmental journalism and working with the media in general.

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Students and School

Acterra’s Young Earth Stewards (YES) program connects youth with nature using habitat restoration and environmental education as a method to inspire a life-long appreciation of the natural world. This program brings youth outdoors, directs them to be active stewards of the land, and increases their sense of place and sense of community.

The BAEER Fair has been an integral part of the development of the California educational system. Our youth, in grades K-12, have been the recipients of exciting new curricula, teaching techniques & strategies, all showcased via The BAEER Fair. Over the past 28 years an estimated 470,000 students have benefited from this impact. The latest in classroom materials, environmental education programs, and field trip sites. Workshops introducing conservation & wildlife education, school gardens, and strategies for fostering environmental awareness. The event is specially designed for teachers, community educators, students, families, and all concerned about the environment we share.

Bioneers is a forum for connecting the environment, health, social justice, and spirit within a broad progressive framework. The Bioneers youth network represents the many faces of youth culture in North America and beyond. Through activism, art, education, media, and politics, young people are making their concerns known and taking a stand for health, restoration and justice

Clean Energy On Campus: In addition to our work in the state Legislature and Congress, CALPIRG is working at California universities to adopt clean energy policies on campuses and set an example the rest of the state to follow. In 2006 the highlight was CALPIRG’s student chapter at UC Santa Cruz, where the student body voted to pass a CALPIRG-led measure to use 100 percent clean renewable energy sources like wind and solar power throughout the university campus.

CSSC is a coalition of students and student groups working to promote student involvement with UC faculty, staff and administration in collaboration with the UC Office of the President and the UC Board of Regents, to implement environmentally sound practices in the UC system and to unite and empower students throughout the state with the common goal of assuring a sustainable future for California and the world.

Campus Activism: This interactive website has tools for progressive activists. It is part of a network of websites that share information called the Activism Network. We built it, but you must provide the content. You can use it to start a campaign, share activism resources, publicize events, and build networks. Or you can join an existing campaign, get resources, learn about upcoming activist events, and let people find you.

The Campus Climate Challenge is a project of more than 30 leading youth organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The Challenge leverages the power of young people to organize on college campuses and high schools across Canada and the U.S. to win 100% Clean Energy policies at their schools. The Challenge is growing a generation-wide movement to stop global warming, by reducing the pollution from our high schools and colleges down to zero, and leading our society to a clean energy future.

Chabot Space & Science Center (CSSC) inspires and educates students of all ages about our Planet Earth and the Universe.

From its setting in a national park, Crissy Field Center offers a wide variety of programs and amenities that connect the diverse population of the Bay Area to urban environmental issues. Our mission is to encourage new generations to become bold leaders for healthy communities, thriving parks, a more environmentally just society.

Portal Web Site Dedicated to: Global Warming Education and Climate Change Education Science, Solutions — Resources Directory The catalog is an on-line resource center visited each month by thousands of students, teachers, and others working in the field of education. Building educational partnerships is a principle goal. In this effort, the catalog serves as a common reference point, a place from which to discover and explore the programs and web sites of others. Our perspective is not only to encourage California’s educational institutions to work well with each other: e.g. K 12 schools, science centers, universities, and public television, but to foster partnerships bringing together the sectors of our state: such as cities, state agencies, community organizations (non-profits), and businesses.

An environmental network for teens, teachers and youth leaders. Earth Team’s mission is to create a new generation of environmental leaders by introducing—into the classroom and the community—environmental experiences that are so active and engaging that they inspire dedication to a healthy environment. The students, teachers and youth leaders will be drawn to Earth Team’s unique state of the art website as a central location for organizing, mobilizing and disseminating information. Earth Team is committed to delivering quality projects by partnering with the strongest educational, environmental and government organizations. The students will think globally by using the vast amount of information offered, connect regionally by working with students from other communities whether on joint projects, at special events or on the website and act locally in community based projects.

Eco-Smart Schools and Universities Sees that schools spend more than $8 billion per year on energy nationwide, second only to spending on books and computers. We support K-12 schools and universities in making their buildings more energy and resource efficient - not only to create more room in school budgets for teaching and learning, but also to provide educational opportunities for students to learn about climate change and energy, to develop technical, project-based skills, and to help conserve the Earth’s nonrenewable resources.

Energy Action is a coalition of more than 40 organizations from across the US and Canada, founded and led by youth to help support and strengthen the student and youth clean energy movement in North America.

Focus the Nation is coordinating teams of faculty and students at over a thousand colleges, universities and K-12 schools in the United States, to collaboratively engage in a nationwide, interdisciplinary discussion about “Global Warming Solutions for America”.

Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Nina Rizzo is the California Freedom from Oil Campus Organizer at Global Exchange. She studied Geography as well as Conservation and Resource Studies at UC Berkeley. She campaigned for the recent sweat free and climate campaigns for the University of California; uses these experiences to organize with students and other organizations to pass climate and sustainable transportation policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to combat the climate crisis.

Next Generation believes young people have the power to understand and change the world. We help them realize their power. Through education, training, organizing, and grassroots action, we empower elementary, middle, high school and college students to learn about social issues, become effective leaders, and take action for peace, democracy and our environment.

Headlands Institute : TEAM is a free year-round leadership program for Bay Area high school youth. Participants discover their inner strength as leaders, their ability to influence others, and the importance of community. TEAM members connect their own communities to the natural world through environmental education and action. TEAM travels around the Bay Area to learn first-hand about environmental issues, plan an environmental youth leadership conference and teach environmentally themed lessons in elementary school classrooms.

Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL) encourages, prepares, and challenges young people from diverse backgrounds to be advocates for environmental and social change. I-YEL is initiated, designed, and coordinated by youth, who receive support and training in planning and implementing projects that create positive change in their communities. Through leadership development, career exploration, and goal setting, I-YEL participants acquire the skills necessary to be the teachers and leaders of today and the future.

Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is a singular resource center for preschool through high school science and mathematics education, and a public science center with exciting hands-on experiences for learners of all ages.

Ma’at Youth Academy: To improve public and environmental health in urban areas by developing and modeling multicultural environmental education, promoting economic opportunities for youth and increasing community involvement in environmental protection. Ultimately, MYA’s seek to create a system of community monitors to minimize human exposure to environmental hazards to preserve good health in communities of color and low-income areas through research, public education and community organizing, especially as it applies to children and youth.

The Transportation Authority of Marin administers Safe Routes to School (SR2S) programs aimed at promoting walking, bicycling, taking transit or carpooling to school; planning safer walking and bicycling routes to schools; funding the construction of safe pathways to school; and providing crossing guards at major intersections.

Rainforest Action Network protects forests and the rights of their inhabitants by campaigning to break America’s oil addiction, promote sustainable logging, and bring green ethics to Wall Street.

Rising Sun Energy Center: Mission: To promote energy awareness, renewable energy, resource conservation through free educational community service programs.

Youth Development and Green Jobs: California Youth Energy Services (CYES) promotes energy awareness and resource conservation in the Bay Area through FREE services and programs. Education in the Schools: Solar Education Workshops and Renewable Energy Internship Program. Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technologies: Solar Installation & Whole House Performance.

The Sierra Student Coalition (SSC) is a broad network of high school and college-aged youth from across the country working to protect the environment. The SSC is the youth-led chapter of the Sierra Club, the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization.

SEI is an organization that empowers under-served markets such as schools, small businesses, local governments, multi-family and affordable housing, and other sectors, to accomplish their energy efficiency goals. They provide energy efficiency and renewable energy consulting & related services to these underserved markets.

U.S. EPA Climate Change - What you can do at school. Students, educators and school administrators can all play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Here is a directory of some education and action planning resources to help you:

WiserEarth serves the people who are transforming the world. It is a community directory and networking forum that maps and connects non-governmental organizations and individuals addressing the central issues of our day: climate change, poverty, the environment, peace, water, hunger, social justice, conservation, human rights and more. Content is created and edited by people like you.

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