Communities Tackle Global Warming: A Guide to California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375)

California's Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act, or SB 375, is the nation's first legislation to link transportation and land use planning with global warming. SB 375 is an important step toward a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous California. This groundbreaking measure shows us that where we live and how we get to work, go about our daily business, and take our kids to school matters a great deal in the fight against climate change. In fact, household transportation in California is the single-largest and the fastest-growing source of global warming pollution in the state.

Locating housing closer to jobs and transportation choices and creating walkable communities can reduce commute times and cut millions of tons of global warming pollution, while improving quality of life.

Countless diverse interests have a stake in the creation of sustainable and livable communities. The incentive-based approach of SB 375 encourages citizens and local leaders to shape the sustainable future of their communities through a participatory process. Changing political leadership, market demand, and public opinion mean that the time is right for a new approach to land use planning. SB 375 provides a new paradigm, putting California on the path to a more sustainable prosperity as well as a cleaner environment.

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