Looking for work that’s good for the world — and fits your life? Here are some excellent online resources to connect you with meaningful, climate-related work.

Climate Justice Action (CJA)

In the fall of 2024, UUFRC helped lead the creation of CJA a 100% volunteer group dedicated to climate justice action in San Mateo County

Issues We Face

• Environmental change will happen in the SF Bay Area. Pollution, especially carbon-based, has taken the area past the point of return to historical conditions.
• Institutional injustices have concentrated certain communities in geographic areas with historical pollution dumping and topographical exposure to the largest environmental changes.
• Adaptation faces both continuing institutional injustice and rapid change.

Purpose

Climate Justice Action is a values-driven San Mateo County volunteer organization that partners with vulnerable communities on projects, education and advocacy to advance environmental justice. Our work fosters resilience and collaboration for an equitable and sustainable future.

Strategy: Advocacy, Done-in-a-Day and Longer Term Projects Through Partnerships

Partnering Organizations:

• Peninsula Interfaith Climate Action (PICA)
• Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, San Carlos
• St. Pius Catholic Parish
• Synagogue Beth Jacob (RWC)
• California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL)
• Green the Church
• Climate Resilient Communities (CRC)
• Youth United for Community Action (YUCA)
• Canopy

Done-in-a-Day Projects:

Monthly hands-on, local volunteer projects welcoming everyone and all ages. See this calendar of upcoming events or contact uufrc-climatejustice@groups.io for further information.

Spending the day supporting one of the two EV Showcase events held in Redwood City (Spring 2025) and San Carlos (Fall 2025)

Advocacy:

• Train to be effective advocates
• Advocate with CA Legislators (June and August!)
• Work with the Sustainability Offices of San Mateo County and local cities

Longer Term Projects:

CJA works for longer term impact where our volunteer efforts can be useful. Current projects include:

• Electrification of faith-based and non-profit facilities in under resourced San Mateo County.
• Deep partnerships in support of incredible local organizations such as CRC and Canopy.
• Organizing a series of EV Showcase and Fully-Electric Home Tours to “normalize” individuals’ perception of these technologies and encourage adoption.

Bay Area relevant environmental information

All of our California State, County, and Bay Area City Governments have environmental adaptation plans.

• California State and Bay Area City information links.

• Popular science and journalism links.

“My two hours for Eco-Justice”

Short time commitments supporting the environment that add up for our community:

• Styrofoam Recycling
• Recycle in our own homes through Recology. Remember! for plastic recycling it’s: bottles, jugs, and tubs only!
• Attend a Shoreway Tours available once a month or schedule a group tour with your Scout or school group. Really drives home how to do in-home recycling. Educates for the why behind the regular price hikes for city refuse services.