The Alameda County Board of Supervisors is a leader in sustainability, approving countywide policies, ordinances, and resolutions that they establish. StopWaste partners with local governments in the county to reduce waste in the built environment. An example of this is the Alameda County Juvenile Justice building, which has gardens that use water and demonstrates what can be achieved when a county has strong leadership and visionary policies. The Board of Supervisors also directed county staff to develop a comprehensive climate protection strategy.
Funding from this fund is awarded to local environmental organizations that use money at the local level for a variety of programs designed to improve the environment of Alameda County, including educating county youth on environmental issues. The Environmental Protection Unit of the Alameda County District Attorney's Office investigates and prosecutes violations of environmental laws that were designed to protect Alameda County residents and the air, water, land, and wildlife. The North Alameda County Group (NAC) considers urban environmental and environmental justice issues in the cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Piedmont, and San Leandro. These organizations work together to ensure that the county is taking steps to protect its environment and its citizens. Some of the agreements in these cases require violators to enter a fund managed by the Alameda County Fish and Game Commission.
Police, Alameda County Family Justice Center, Alameda County Sheriff, Alameda County Probation, Alameda County Public Health, and Calico are all involved in this effort. Residents can get involved in environmental issues in Alameda County by signing up to receive emails with action alerts. This allows them to make a difference in local environmental issues. Ideas and concepts are intended to encourage decision makers and local government personnel in Alameda County and elsewhere to consider policies and actions in their jurisdictions. Alameda County is an example of how effective coalitions between local governments and environmental organizations can be when it comes to influencing public policy. By working together, these groups are able to create meaningful change that benefits both the environment and its citizens.
Through education, advocacy, and enforcement of environmental laws, these coalitions are able to ensure that the county is taking steps to protect its environment for future generations.
