Workshops, camps and storytimes will focus on clean energy, mobility, recycling and more

SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego Public Library (SDPL) has launched a series of free, interactive workshops and programs to bring awareness to climate change and empower communities to become more climate resilient. “Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” offers programs for all ages and includes sustainability talks, environment-focused camps for kids, nature-themed story strolls and an Earth Day celebration.

The “Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” programs are centered around the city’s landmark 2022 Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in August 2022, setting an ambitious goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.

In partnership with the City of San Diego Sustainability and Mobility Department, SDPL has developed five workshops that will be held in March and April. Participants who attend all five will earn a certificate and continuing education credit through UC San Diego Extended Studies.

Climate Action 101: Learn what the city is doing to address the climate emergency and get involved in the efforts.
Zero Waste San Diego: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Discover ways to send less waste to the landfill.
Moving Around San Diego: Transforming Transportation: Learn about ways the city is making it safer and more enjoyable to bike, walk and use transit.
Green San Diego: Building Resilient Communities: Discuss strategies to make San Diego a climate resilient city, improve the tree canopy and restore natural spaces.
The Rise of Clean Energy: Why it Matters: Learn what the city is doing to transition to renewable energy and decarbonize buildings.

In addition to the workshops, SDPL is offering several other programs in March, April and May, which are all free of charge and open to the public.

Spring Camps: Four-day camps for kids and tweens that promote hands-on learning about sustainability. Participants will create a mini garden and take their tastebuds on a trip around the food system.
Story Strolls: People of all ages are invited to take a stroll and enjoy nature-themed picture books at SDPL locations, parks and community centers.
Earth Day Celebration: SDPL is teaming up with its community partners for an Every Day is Earth Day celebration with food, giveaways and more on Saturday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Valencia Park/Malcolm X library.

SDPL is also working with The Climate Initiative to develop a climate justice task force for teens. The aim is to educate, empower and activate young people for climate action. The group will be learning how climate change impacts the southeastern San Diego region and will develop a community-based action project to create a more sustainable San Diego. The teens will be awarded a scholarship for their commitment and time.

For information on the “Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” programs and how to register, visit the library’s Our Sustainable SD website at https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/OurSustainableSD.

The “Our Climate, Our Future: Our Sustainable San Diego” project is supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.4 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at www.sandiegolibrary.org.

(SDPL Release) n