Fighting for a sustainable future

Lawmakers in San Jose and Santa Clara County have already declared a climate emergency. As Councilmember, I would lead the way in Campbell. 

Climate emergency resolutions will make it more difficult for elected officials to disregard the environmental impacts of future policy proposals, and help reinforce our commitment to a more sustainable future.

Over the past two decades, the bus lines in the Campbell/West Valley area have been cut drastically. With a smaller budget due to a pandemic-induced recession, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) could face service downgrades that would return us to a level not seen since the 1970s. 

I plan to be a voice for Campbell on public transportation and fight against the most drastic cuts, while advocating for federal transportation money to shore up revenue. 

Campbell is known as the Orchard City — talk to any resident, and we’ll tell you how much we love our trees. They beautify the environment, provide shade for young and old alike, and have been shown to improve mental and physical health.

Just as critically, trees trap carbon from the environment in a process known as biosequestration, actually reducing the warming effects of greenhouse gases. 

Livable communities improve our health, overall happiness, and quality of life. These projects often require cities to work together, such as the creation of the Los Gatos Creek trail, which was a collaboration between Campbell, Los Gatos, San Jose and Santa Clara County, as well as the Stevens Creek Trail, which required a commitment from Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View and Sunnyvale. 

An essential part of creating livable communities is planning for mixed-use developments with increased density, involving coordination between city councils and our regional transportation bodies. 

Campbell has adopted reach codes which mandate electric (as opposed to gas) lines for some, but not all parts of new construction. The current system doesn't allow the full benefit of switching to electric power, especially as our local electric grid becomes more efficient and cleaner. This partial reform also creates greater confusion and increases costs for new construction.

 In fact, utility companies such as PG&E have written to the City of Campbell in support of all-electric reach codes, arguing that it saves costs for both providers and community members.