A Just and Resilient Future: Advancing Climate and Environmental Justice

As the climate champion in the District 9 race, Supervisor Fielder is proud to be endorsed by seven climate and environmental justice organizations. Her work in climate advocacy began at Standing Rock, where she witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of fossil fuel expansion. That experience shaped her commitment to building a renewable economy, divesting from fossil fuels, and reinvesting in communities.

Environmental challenges in District 9 are both urgent and deeply intersectional. Freeways contribute to dangerous diesel pollution, the Mission’s location in a floodplain increases climate vulnerability, and extreme heat disproportionately affects working families living in aging, energy-inefficient housing. Supervisor Fielder’s goal as a climate-oriented leader is to ensure that San Francisco not only leads on climate policy, but also delivers tangible improvements to residents’ daily lives, providing cleaner air, safer streets, and resilient housing.

Clean Air, Water, and Soil for All San Franciscans

  • Environmental justice must begin with recognizing and restoring relations with the original stewards of this land, the Ramaytush Ohlone. Any meaningful climate action plan must include acknowledging their sovereignty, supporting Indigenous land stewardship, and honoring their right to environmental self-determination.

  • The push for climate-friendly development must not lead to gentrification and displacement. The candidate supports community land trusts and permanently affordable housing in gentrified neighborhoods to prevent “green” gentrification. Their housing plan prioritizes equitable climate investments that allow low- and middle-income residents to benefit from sustainability projects without being priced out of their communities.

  • To meet San Francisco’s climate goals, reducing gas-powered vehicle emissions must be a priority. This includes:

    • Expanding public transit and bike infrastructure to encourage low-emission travel.

    • Supporting the ComMUNIty Transit Act, which taxes Uber and Lyft to fund MUNI.

    • Expanding free MUNI for minimum-wage workers, ensuring that low-income residents have accessible transportation options.

  • Investing in urban greening efforts will help reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, and enhance mental and physical health. The candidate supports:

    • Expanding tree canopy coverage and green spaces, prioritizing historically underserved neighborhoods.

    • Creating community gardens that provide local food sources and improve environmental sustainability.

    • Ensuring that green projects are community-led and provide employment opportunities for local residents.

  • A Green Bank would leverage public and private investments to fund renewable energy projects, home weatherization, and small business sustainability initiatives. Unlike traditional banks, a Green Bank reinvests funds into local climate solutions, ensuring that communities—not corporations—benefit from green energy development.

    Achieving 100% Renewable Energy for CleanPowerSF

    To eliminate reliance on fossil fuels, San Francisco must:

    • Develop local renewable energy sources within the Bay Area.

    • Expand energy storage and smart microgrids to improve grid resilience.

    • Take advantage of Biden’s IRA Climate Bill tax incentives to transition CleanPowerSF to 100% renewable energy.

  • A just transition to renewable energy requires the creation of high-quality, union-protected jobs. Climate investments must ensure:

    • Prevailing wages and local hiring for workers in renewable energy sectors.

    • Training and career advancement opportunities for communities impacted by the fossil fuel economy.

    • Worker protections, including the right to unionize, strong labor standards, and wage parity for those affected by economic shifts.

  • The environmental crisis includes rising sea levels and groundwater flooding, which pose major risks to low-lying areas and historically redlined communities. San Francisco must:

    • Invest in flood prevention infrastructure, prioritizing at-risk communities.

    • Address groundwater rise, which could spread hazardous materials through contaminated floodwaters.

    • Increase funding for community-based climate disaster preparedness, ensuring that frontline communities lead rapid-response planning efforts.

  • To fully implement the city’s Climate Action Plan, a long-term funding strategy is needed. The candidate supports:

    • A Green Bond to raise capital for renewable energy projects.

    • A Green Bank to finance local sustainability efforts.

    • A tax on polluting corporations, ensuring that big businesses pay their fair share for the environmental damage they cause.