ICYMI: Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley Hosts Sustainability Summit, Calls for Increased Climate Action for Orange County Coasts, Economy, and Jobs

ORANGE COUNTY, CA – Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley hosted a Sustainability Summit yesterday at Orange Coast College Planetarium to explore recommendations for protecting our natural resources, homes, and economy. 

Congresswoman Katie Porter, Congressman Mike Levin, State Senator Dave Min, and Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, climate science experts, leaders in sustainable business practices, and Orange County agency staff spoke at the summit about how climate change impacts Orange County’s coastlines, environment, economy and public health.  

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said, “Climate change is a serious global issue that has resonating impacts in our county, and it is our responsibility to implement real change. The conversations had will inform my office’s approach to forming a county climate action plan, ensuring our environment is protected, and building a more environmentally sustainable economy that leaves no worker behind. I am grateful for fellow elected officials and our panelists' participation in important discussions about what must be done to curb the impacts of climate change and transition into a more sustainable county.” 

Panelists at the Sustainability Summit provided recommendations for the County to consider in the creation of a climate action plan, including generating the political will to act on the climate crisis, investing in sand replenishment programs to protect our coastline across the county, encouraging business practices to be less costly and more sustainable, spearheading plans to transition to a green economy and collaborating with workers to ensure the creation of new jobs.  

Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) said, “I was honored to join community leaders at Orange Coast College for Supervisor Foley’s Sustainability Summit. After decades of ignoring the climate crisis, our nation is finally investing in taking action, and I will continue to champion these efforts in Congress.” 

Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49) said, “Addressing climate change requires collaboration across all levels of government. When it comes to destructive coastal erosion, I am doing everything I can to help our region respond by working with local officials to secure federal funding for beach restoration and by supporting historic investments in climate action. We can do more, so I look forward to working together to combat the impacts of climate change in Orange County.”  

State Senator Dave Min (SD-37) said, “We often talk about the tipping point in climate science but if we’re being honest with ourselves, we are already past that point. If we don’t act in a way that reflects the urgency of the moment, we are going to be facing serious climate impacts. If we are going to reach our climate goals, we need the power of private and public capital and the power of innovation. California has always led in both of these areas and we can not only address challenges here, but also create exportable technologies that will transform the world…getting us to a zero emissions economy as quickly as possible.”  

Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (AD-74) said, “We are seeing the devastating impacts of the climate crisis right here in California with severe drought, destructive flooding and deadly wildfires. Climate change is not merely an inconvenient truth. It is fundamentally disruptive to our economy, our communities and our way of life. Recognizing the urgency of this challenge, California is a global leader in climate action. We must ensure Orange County is prepared to confront these challenges and lead with innovative solutions.” 

Panelists who participated in the event include:

  • Dr. Kathleen Treseder, UC Irvine 
  • Ayn Craciun, Climate Action Campaign 
  • Michael Wellborn, Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks 
  • Dyana Peña, OC Coastkeeper 
  • Dr. Nathan Gregory, Irvine Ranch Conservancy 
  • Dr. Jun Wu, UC Irvine 
  • Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong, Orange County Health Care Agency 
  • Dr. Brett Sanders, UC Irvine 
  • Division Chief Jim Henery, OC Fire Authority 
  • Rick Erkeneff, South Coast Water District 
  • Tom Koutroulis, OC Waste & Recycling 
  • Ernesto Medrano, Building Trades of LA/OC 
  • Lexi Hernandez, Climate Action Campaign 
  • Katharyn Muniz, OC Conservation Corps 
  • Jenna Arkin, ECOS Friendly Cleaning Products 

Recordings of the Sustainability Summit are available here.

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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2021 to represent Costa Mesa, Cypress, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Seal Beach, Stanton, the unincorporated area of Rossmoor, and portions of Buena Park and Fountain Valley. Following redistricting, the Board appointed her to additionally serve as caretaker for the future District 2, which includes the communities of Santa Ana and portions of Anaheim, Garden Grove, Orange, Tustin, and unincorporated North Tustin.    

Supervisor Foley serves on the Airport Ad Hoc Committee & Fly Friendly working group, the Sober Living Home Ad Hoc Committee, and boards of the Orange County Transportation Authority, CalOptima, Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, Law Library, Newport Bay & South Orange County Watershed Management Area Executive Committees & the Santa Ana River Flood Control Protection.