Social Equity

Community leaders, passionate advocates and supporters gathered on September 23 at the Burlingame Community Center for Sustainable San Mateo County’s (SSMC) 2026 Sustainability Gala & Auction, an evening dedicated to celebrating local climate progress, driving systemic policy change and empowering the next generation of environmental leaders. From spirited live auction bidding to powerful stories of youth leadership, the night demonstrated what happens when research, policy and collective action come together. Thank you to the nearly 150 elected leaders, government staff and community, business and student leaders who joined us! Here are the top highlights from an unforgettable evening! Grounded in [...]

Local elected officials have a monumental task. On any given night, a City Council member might have to vote on a complex housing development, a municipal budget and a detailed climate action plan. They cannot be experts in everything—and that is exactly where you come in. Community involvement is the lifeblood of local governance. By showing up, residents inform decision-makers about neighborhood realities and reinforce shared community values. For instance, ensuring an equitable clean energy transition is vital for our environment and the health of all residents, but it requires active civic voices to keep it a top priority. [...]

Introduction & Author’s Note In my role as the Executive Director of Sustainable San Mateo County (SSMC), I often find myself at the intersection of complex regional debates. I am not a water management expert or a hydrologist; rather, my goal in writing this article is to help our community navigate the interconnected challenges of environmental health, economic vitality and social equity. On February 18, I attended a meeting of the San Mateo County Resource Management and Climate Protection Committee (part of the City/County Association of Governments, or C/CAG) to listen to a critical debate that touches all three of [...]

The energy was electric at our 27th Annual Sustainability Awards Celebration. Almost 300 government leaders, community advocates and business changemakers gathered to celebrate the local pioneers proving that environmental health and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand. This year’s event was more than just a ceremony; it was an invitation. With a new format and accessible ticket pricing, SSMC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring sustainability is a conversation everyone can join. From the youth displaying what is to come, to our award winners’ impact here and now, the evening showcased how our collective power in San Mateo County creates ripples of [...]

Here in the U.S., we seem to love awards. Whether it’s the Grammys for the tunes that get us through Monday mornings or the Academy Awards for the cinema that moves us, we gather to celebrate the "best of the best." We do it to be inspired, to witness excellence, and—let’s be honest—to see who wore it best (especially when it’s a recycled vintage gown). But if we can throw a party for a three-hour epic movie, shouldn't we throw one for the people literally saving our piece of the planet? Enter: The "Oscars of Sustainability" [...]

Watch the recording of SSMC's webinar to learn how cities can reduce emissions and improve the health of their community by moving toward plant-forward food systems. Guest speakers: Sophia Hahn, former Berkeley Vice Mayor Leah Kelly from Center for Biological Diversity Samantha Lau from Plant Based Treaty From Policy to Plate: Scaling Plant-Forward Food Systems in San Mateo County In the second installment of Sustainable San Mateo County’s (SSMC) webinar series on reducing food emissions, experts gathered to discuss findings and recommendations from the 2025 Indicators Report, [...]

SSMC Board Member Georgi LaBerge is turning 90 this month, and she shows no signs of slowing down. She regularly attends workout and balance classes, goes camping and competes every year with her husband, Warren Dale, in the National World Senior Games in St. George, Utah, where they have won multiple gold medals in power walking and volleyball. Upon joining SSMC’s board in 2018, she focused on fund development, helped expand our annual Awards program and taught local students how to advocate in local government. She usually has a clever idea to add to any discussion. A native of Colorado, [...]