Who We Are
Founded in 2013 by concerned community members, Climate Action Santa Monica (CASM) is a Santa Monica-based grassroots orgranization dedicated to climate solutions in our own community. Led by a small staff and volunteers, we answer the question most people ask when considering climate:
“What can I do here in my community to make a difference?”
What We Do
It’s important to reduce emissions, adapt to changing conditions, and adopt solutions soon. We identify opportunities that can have a significant, lasting impact, and focus our attention and resources on them. We believe in the power of local government, business, and community members to make change. CASM shows up and engages people in important conversation and discovery.
CASM supports volunteers. We encourage people to find joy and meaning in actions of our daily lives. We connect youth and adults to resources and encourage them to apply their creative voices and passions to support climate action. We help people make climate friendly choices and offer education about policy and technical issues. Our work is motivated by a vision of a resilient community with clean air and water. vibrant nature and a thriving economy for people today and tomorrow.
Our Programs
Current programs include education, policy and urban planning research and advocacy, and our youth program.
CASM is actively working on:
- Our Climate Corps program, which gives students training and experience in taking climate action in support of Santa Monica’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. As a year round club it allows students to develop career skills, grow as local leaders, and make friends.
- 100% renewable energy for our entire community
- a sustainable urban landscape
- a transportation system that provides safe, affordable options and reduces greenhouse gas emissions
CASM Steering Committee
- Laurene Von Klan – CASM Co-Chair and Executive Director, Nonprofit Management Professional, and Certified Dog Trainer
- Kent Strumpell – CASM Co-Chair, Bicycling Advocate, and Urban Planning Activist
- Judy Abdo – Former Santa Monica Mayor; Rep. to Metropolitan Water District
Staff
- Makeda Bullock Floyd – CASM Program Lead
CASM Advisory Board
The advisory committee of Climate Action Santa Monica is made up of community members from across Santa Monica and the region who give their talents, passion, and years of wisdom to the organization to further its mission and extend its reach. The current advisory committee is as follows.
- Tara Barauskas – Executive Director, Community Corporation of Santa Monica
- Stuart Cooley – Retired Professor of Renewable Energies with the Sustainable Technologies Program at Santa Monica College
- Rev. Jim Conn – Former Church in Ocean Park Minister & Former Santa Monica Mayor
- Jim Dodenhoff – Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency Developer, Silent Running LLC
- Zachary Gaidzik – Environmentalist and Public Outreach Activist
- Gina Garcia – Co-Director, Sustainable Works
- Albin Gielicz – Marketing Professional, Environmentalist and Community Activist
- Laura Gillette – Nonprofit Management and Fundraising Professional; Environmentalist
- Cris Gutierrez – CPA Community Advisory Committee Member, EcoPeace Community Educator-Activist
- Kurt Holland – Secondary Sci. Inst., CSU Long Beach; CSTA; Coast & Ocean Steward
- Ben Kay – Marine Biology Teacher, SaMoHi/SMC, and Environmental Activist
- Katharine King – Concert & Event Producer; Environmental Advocate, former CASM Co-Chair
- Dean Kubani – Former Santa Monica Chief Sustainability Officer, Current Chair of the Santa Monica Task Force on the Environment
- Robert Lempert – Rand Corporation Senior Scientist and Noble Prize Laureate
- Jing Liu – Geography Professor teaching Physical Geography and GIS (Geographical Information Science) at Santa Monica College
- Rev. Janet McKeithan – Church in Ocean Park Minister
- Bill Selby – Retired Santa Monica College Professor of Geography and Earth Science
- Amy Sullivan – Nutrition & Wellness Coach, Marketing Expert, Yoga Teacher, Vegan Food Blogger, Environment and Animal Activist
- Michael Tarbet – Lawyer, Environmental Advocate and Community Organizer
- Talia Tinari – Community Gardening Organizer, Climate Reality Project Leader
- Belinda Waymouth – Environmental Journalist and Advocate
- Natalya Zernitskaya – President, League of Women Voters of Santa Monica
- John Zinner – Sustainability & Green Building Consultant; LEED Fellow.
- Jeff Bush – Former energy utility professional and energy marketer; currently engaged in energy market / clean tech consulting and investing.
- Kera Blades-Snell – Business entrepreneur and civic leader; Executive Director of Santa Monica Black Lives Association (SMBLA).