“If you do not believe in climate change, you do not believe in facts or in science or empirical truths, and therefore, in my humble opinion, should not be allowed to hold office.”
Leonardo DiCaprio

Environment

The WAVE Environment Working Group focuses on three key areas:

  • Educating our members and providing opportunities for them to partake in a wide array of environmental action.

  • Educating community leaders to identify local climate change issues and solutions.
  • Support the efforts of our community partners in lobbying city governments to better response to climate change.

Over the past two years, the Environment Working Action Group (EWAG) continued to focus on climate action by supporting the creation of the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) and lobbying City Councils to join the OCPA. When the cities of Buena Park, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, and Irvine confirmed their participation in the OCPA, WAVE wrote letters to their respective City Councils to urge them to choose 100% clean, renewable electricity as the default product for all electricity users. Our goal was to convince those cities to aim for not only a clean and secure energy future for Orange County, but also a safer and healthier living environment for their residents. This was a unique and powerful opportunity for the cities to address the ill effects of climate change and of environmental injustice brought on by harmful emissions.

A lot has happened since OCPA was established, and unfortunately, the future of the agency is uncertain. As of this writing, reforms have been underway and more are being discussed. It is our fervent hope that a resolution will be reached soon so as to protect the underlying mission and integrity of the agency.

WAVE also partners with the Climate Action Campaign on the movement to electrify cities, the development of Climate Action Plans at a city level, and recognition of elected officials who prioritize environmental protection and conservation. WAVE is also represented on the OC Climate Coalition.