Uniquely threatened by climate change but well positioned to think big, the City of Menlo Park began work in July 2019 to craft a new Climate Action Plan (CAP). Through a cooperative effort, Menlo Park City Council, staff, commissioners, and community studied and boldly adopted aggressive new measures in July 2020. Hear from Menlo Park’s 2030 CAP architects, analysts and authors about their road to establishing lofty goals – Carbon Zero by 2030 – and their process for outlining impactful solutions. The session includes the story of this journey as well as lessons learned and models for other cities to follow.

From livestock, fisheries, farming and transport, food production is now responsible for more than 25% of global carbon emissions and undue harm to local ecologies. Concurrently, extreme weather and shifting seasons pose climate change impacts to sustainable farming. So, how can we feed our people without starving our planet and profits?

Innovative new businesses, including some right here in San Mateo, are exploring ways to produce food with a smaller environmental footprint. Join Thrive’s Environment and Sustainability TAG and SIAG (Social Impact Advisory Group) for our Social Impact series to learn about this innovation and future opportunities.

• Impossible Foods will discuss their model of making meat and dairy products from plants and its impact.

• Plenty Inc. will share how vertical farming allows them to grow food without pesticides and using significantly less water and land.

• Ouroboros Farms will explain their system of aquaponic farming, which combines aquaculture (a system of growing fish ) and hydroponics (a system of growing plants without soil) to create a water-efficient, sustainable, and chemical-free way to grow plants and raise fish.

In April 2020, 30 County leaders formed a cross-sector Thrive Impact Group to study single-use plastics consumption in SMC. Extensive research uncovered big challenges that transfer enormous costs to our cities, residents, and business owners. Hear group leaders share the challenges and solutions to our single-use plastic crisis. Learn how collective impact can unify cross-sector leaders, define measurable goals, and align siloed efforts.

Battery storage enables carbon free transit, clean energy in evenings, and essential device power during outages. And with constant innovation, it’s now a vital path to climate mitigation and resiliency.

Join us to hear about new technology and local programs from four experts in our clean energy community. 

Battery storage enables carbon-free transit, clean energy in evenings, and essential device power during outages. And with constant innovation, it’s now a vital path to climate mitigation and resiliency.

We asked important questions and heard about new battery technology and local programs from four experts of the clean energy community.

Disrupted by crisis, local sustainability leaders are resetting programs & rethinking results. Across SMC government, nonprofit, business & youth, local environmental organizations are seeking to lock in smaller footprints and lower emissions.

Hear how these leaders envision more sustainable post-pandemic living - Dave Pine (SMC Board of Supervisors), Emma Shlaes (Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition) and Lauren Weston (Acterra).

While sheltering in place and slowing down our growth, shouldn’t we take a hard look at how to

help our communities make the adjustments necessary to really live sustainably. And who better

to lead this charge that the environmentalist community?

Let’s come together and figure this one out right now. It’s our opportunity to lead by example

and guide sustainable living.