As climate change takes a front seat within today’s political atmosphere, Fullerton looks towards a greener future.

With the adoption of various measures to lower carbon emissions, reduce water consumption, and incentivize renewable energy, the city of Fullerton has unveiled bold plans to combat climate change.

As Fullerton College looks to revamp the Sherbeck Field, many of the renovations laid out are part of a larger movement within the state of California to reduce emissions.

Detailed in the Environmental Impact Report, released in April of 2019, all new construction will follow the mandated CAL Green Standards, while working to keep emissions within its target goals. These include using low-pollutant materials and diverting most demolition waste away from landfills to be reused or recycled.

Long term, this project will reduce emissions by improving current infrastructure to better serving the college’s needs, making the stadium more versatile and efficient.

Students and faculty also have access to electronic vehicle stations on campus, adjacent to the parking structure off Lemon Street.

First installed in 2016, the EV stations marked the beginning of the college’s ongoing environmental sustainability initiative. Information on future projects can be found on a dedicated page of the college’s website.

Among the macro components, various initiatives include promoting public transportation, conserving water and equipping new buildings with energy efficient technology.

With the long term goal of reducing the city’s carbon footprint by 2050, the city of Fullerton unveiled their Climate Action Plan in 2012. Serving as a detailed explanation of the effects of global warming and greenhouse gases, it provides a series of initiatives to actualize these goals.

Joining the expansion of solar innovation, businesses and residents now have a streamlined way to install solar panels. Introduced in 2015, Streamline Solar Permitting is part of a mandated standardized procedure implemented by the state of California. It allows an easier process of installing solar panels to widen the access to this growing technology.

Beyond environmental impact, the initiatives also focus on community wellness. In promoting diverse options for cyclists and public transportation users, Fullerton is working to engage its residents towards healthy and active lifestyles. The city offers a sprawl of recreational parks catering to a variety of activities, including hiking, sports and playgrounds.

For a more hands-on approach, Fullerton’s annual Arbor Day is a city sponsored event to engage children and families with the outdoors. Last March marked its 39th anniversary, as volunteers planted trees while raising awareness of local wildlife. This is part of a larger beautification initiative towards eco-friendly landscapes, in part with Fullerton Beautiful and the City’s Landscape Division.

Other measures include planting native desert plants within the city and curtailing water usage by maintaining current infrastructure and limiting excessive watering.

For those who lack the green thumb, online gardening classes are available to aspiring gardeners who wish to transform their landscapes while conserving water.

As California looks forward towards a renewable future, the city of Fullerton is playing a significant role to lead this transformation. Residents are encouraged to get involved by conserving water, recycling and volunteering for city sponsored events.

For more information, please visit Fullerton’s city website.