CLIMATE

A clean energy future for our community looks like this: cleaner air, cheaper and more reliable energy, and better parks and transit.

The time for bold climate action is not next year or the year after.

It is right now.

South Central families have lived with the consequences of pollution, disinvestment, and environmental racism. Black and Latino families came to Los Angeles in search of opportunity but were shut out of 95 percent of the city’s housing because of redlining and racist housing policies. As a result, the places we were allowed to live, like Historic South Central, were right next to factories and rail lines. In the decades that followed, freeway projects carved through our communities, paving over homes and pumping more pollution into our air. According to the American Lung Association’s 2025 State of the Air report, Los Angeles is ranked #1 worst for high ozone days (smog) out of 228 metro areas, #7 worst for 24-hour particle pollution, and #5 worst for annual particle pollution.

Working parents are still asking the same question I ask as a father: What kind of future are we leaving our children? That is why part of my Clean Campaign Pledge is to refuse money from the oil and gas industry.

Powering Los Angeles’s Clean Energy Future

Here in Los Angeles, because we have a municipal utility in LADWP, the largest public utility in the nation, we have the ability to lead on climate by directly reducing emissions in our power sector.

Getting to 100 percent clean energy is essential to meeting the City’s climate goals. It lays the foundation for decarbonizing our buildings, modernizing our grid, and strengthening our distribution systems so we can improve reliability and lower costs for families.

  • Los Angeles must hold the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power accountable to its goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy by 2035. That means accelerating utility-scale renewable projects outside the LA Basin while also significantly expanding local, in-basin clean power such as rooftop solar, which the LA100 study identifies as the city’s largest source of potential local generation.

    I will push for more transparency and work with LADWP to identify and remove barriers that delay clean energy projects to bring new clean power online faster.

  • Council District 9 is a community of renters that have been historically shut out of climate solutions. About 73 percent of households are renters, and most CD9 residents live in very old buildings, with roughly 63 percent of all homes in the district built before the 1930s. As a result, most families cannot access rooftop solar because the physical infrastructure of their home does not support it. I will expand access to clean energy and lower energy costs by investing in community solar options, including expanding LADWP’s Shared Solar program, while also advocating for policies that bring true net metering or net billing benefits to renters so they can receive fair credit for the energy their share of solar produces. I will also work with community-based organizations to ensure low-income renters are informed, supported, and able to fully participate in these programs.

    I also support state legislation to make plug-in solar a reality in California. Plug-in solar is important because it dramatically lowers the barrier to accessing clean energy for households that can’t install traditional rooftop systems. By allowing residents to plug solar panels directly into standard outlets, we can expand access to renewable energy, reduce electricity bills, and build more resilient, distributed power systems across our communities. I would also seek to establish a pilot program in District 9 to bring plug-in solar to working families

  • Building on proposals advanced by the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator ahead of the 2028 Olympics, Los Angeles can connect clean energy technologies across homes, apartments, and small businesses to strengthen the grid. By expanding this approach district-wide and prioritizing neighborhoods near Olympic venues, the city can reduce outages, lower energy costs for working families, and make sure the clean energy transition delivers real benefits to working class communities that have been excluded for far too long.

  • To meet our clean energy goals, Los Angeles must modernize and expand its transmission system to better deliver renewable power from outside the LA Basin. Much of our clean energy potential, like solar and wind, is located in regions beyond the city, and without the infrastructure to bring that power into our communities, we cannot fully transition away from fossil fuels.

    I will support investments to upgrade transmission lines, improve grid capacity, and reduce bottlenecks that delay clean energy delivery.

  • Electrifying buildings would not only help cut emissions, but also eliminate indoor pollutants, reducing risks for asthma, heart disease, and other conditions. All-electric homes also cost $3,000 to $10,000 less to build than mixed-fuel homes because they don’t require costly gas infrastructure. While past legal rulings forced the city to roll back its previous approach, Los Angeles must continue to lead by using every tool available to protect public health and move toward electrification. 

    That includes updating our building code to encourage new construction to be all-electric, and opting into the 2025 CALGreen standards to accelerate the replacement of air conditioning systems in single-family homes with high-efficiency heat pumps, often referred to as AC-to-heat pump (AC2HP) upgrades.

  • Los Angeles should lead by example by electrifying city-owned buildings and phasing out fossil fuels in our public facilities. That means transitioning recreation centers, libraries, fire stations, and other city buildings to all-electric systems powered by clean energy.

A GREEN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR WORKERS

Council District 9 has a long history of industrial and manufacturing due to its proximity to historic rail lines and downtown. Over 1,068 acres of the District (mostly in the northeast area) is zoned as industrial, which creates significant economic development potential but also concerns about pollution and contamination for surrounding residents.

My vision is to redevelop vacant or polluting industrial areas into job centers that center the needs of our planet, our communities, and our local workers.

  • I will establish a Jobs of the Future Fund to leverage federal, state, and local grants and low-cost financing to attract and grow green businesses and clean manufacturing in Council District 9. This includes targeted investment in areas like the Slauson Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan and the Goodyear Tract to create hubs for sustainable industry and innovation.

    The fund will prioritize high-road employers that provide good wages, strong labor standards, and career pathways for local residents. I will partner with clean tech companies, workforce development organizations, and labor to bring industries like solar panel assembly, EV component manufacturing, and battery storage into the district.

  • Los Angeles has already created land use incentives like those outlined in the Slauson Corridor Transit Neighborhood Plan to encourage economic development, but we are not fully utilizing them to attract the industries of the future. I will work to activate and expand these incentives to support green businesses and clean manufacturing in Council District 9.

  • By partnering with Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, labor groups, and community-based organizations, I will expand certification pathways and apprenticeships that connect communities traditionally shut out of these opportunities, including youth, reentry workers, and low-income residents, to careers in solar, HVAC, and energy efficiency.

  • I will ensure that green job programs prioritize hiring and training local residents for careers in green infrastructure and emergency response, including tree planting, park maintenance, and green manufacturing, by working with workforce partners, labor, and community-based organizations to create clear pipelines into these jobs for District 9 residents, especially those historically excluded from economic opportunity. These efforts will also include investments in nature-based solutions to help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and strengthen climate resilience while creating meaningful, community-rooted jobs.

  • Extreme heat is already impacting our communities and will only get worse as climate change accelerates. I will require city contractors to provide water, shade, and heat safety training for outdoor workers on all city projects, along with strong protections against retaliation for workers who report violations. I will also implement clear reporting and enforcement requirements for employers. No worker on a city-funded project should be forced to risk their health in extreme heat.

Climate Resilient Neighborhoods

Every family in the 9th District deserves to live in a community that is safe, healthy, and built to withstand the challenges of climate change. These issues are especially urgent in Council District 9, where nearly the entire district has a CalEnviroScreen score over 90, indicating some of the highest levels of air, soil, and water pollution and demographic vulnerability in the state.

A climate agenda that truly puts Council District 9 first means creating walkable, livable neighborhoods filled with trees, green spaces, and outdoor gathering places for residents to enjoy.

  • I will lead an effort to plant 10,000 new trees across Council District 9 to reduce extreme heat, improve air quality, and expand access to green space. Too many of our neighborhoods lack tree canopy and, as a result, experience higher temperatures and more pollution. I will prioritize the hottest and most under-shaded neighborhoods in our district, including areas like Historic South Central, which is one of the hottest parts of the district.

    I will also work with community organizations to partner with residents on proper tree care so these trees are planted, maintained, and able to thrive over the long term.

  • District 9 currently has the least amount of recreational space of all council districts, with only 0.33 acres per 1,000 residents. Los Angeles spends less public money on its recreation and parks system per person than other cities with a $92 per capita public investment compared to a city like San Francisco which spends $583.

    I will fight to expand access to parks and open space in District 9 by securing increased funding for our parks system, including supporting the charter reform proposal to double the Department of Recreation and Parks’ funding allocation from 0.033% to 0.065% of assessed property value. I will also identify and convert underutilized land into new neighborhood parks, prioritize joint-use agreements with schools (and support school greening efforts), and invest in the renovation and expansion of existing parks and recreation centers/

  • CD9 families deserve clean, well-maintained parks. According to the Parks Needs Assessment, there is an estimated $2.67 billion in deferred park maintenance. Additionally, we are set to lose parks funding with Prop K expiring in 2026. As Councilmember, I would push parks funding that also addresses the equity gaps faced by parks in the district. By ensuring that parks have the resources for daily upkeep, we can provide clean bathrooms for families and safe playgrounds for children. And by ensuring more consistent maintenance, we can address issues before they escalate into larger, more costly repairs.

  • I want to be able to ensure my daughters and the children of all families in Council District 9 can safely play in the recreational areas in the district. However, rising temperatures put young children at risk and it’s disproportionately worse in South Central where we face the impacts of extreme heat due to the heat island effect. My council office will secure funding to invest in shade structures, expanded tree canopy, and playground water features to create cooler, safer, places for kids to play during hot weather.

  • after school hours, expanding access to shade, recreation, and safe outdoor space in neighborhoods with limited parks and tree canopy.

  • Los Angeles must fully fund and implement the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) and restore the Health and Environmental Justice Element of the General Plan to ensure climate action and equity are embedded in every decision about growth and development. These plans should build on the Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) to address the specific risks facing frontline communities in South Central Los Angeles, including extreme heat, air pollution, flooding, and lack of green space.

  • I will work with neighborhood councils and community groups and invest in green street infrastructure, including stormwater capture systems to reduce flooding and improve public space. Different neighborhoods in the district face unique climate risks, with flooding from heavy rainfall disproportionately affecting communities in South Park, the Broadway and Vernon corridor, and homes along Grand Avenue in the 90003 zip code.

  • Building climate-resilient neighborhoods means ensuring we can monitor, respond to, and prevent these risks before they become crises.

    I will partner with our county public health agencies and community-based organizations to strengthen real-time monitoring and coordinated response to climate-related health threats, including extreme heat exposure, respiratory illness from poor air quality, flooding impacts, and vector-borne diseases. This includes expanding multilingual outreach, investing in community health workers, and developing clear, accessible climate emergency alert systems so residents know when and how to stay safe.

  • We need to phase out our use of fossil fuels and protect families, and that means ending oil drilling in our neighborhoods. I will advocate for a citywide phaseout of urban oil drilling while strengthening protections for surrounding communities in the meantime. That includes requiring the electrification of on-site equipment, funding robust air quality monitoring, and enforcing stronger health and safety standards.

    Communities in South Central Los Angeles have borne the harmful impacts of oil extraction for far too long. We must act with urgency to protect public health, reduce pollution, and ensure a just transition that prioritizes the well-being of working-class families.

  • As our summers get hotter in the city due to our climate crisis, we need to ensure we are investing in the community infrastructure that keeps people safe. I will work with our legislation to leverage state funding to expand free or low-cost swimming lessons and cooling programs for residents.

  • I will expand access to climate resilience centers across Council District 9 that provide safe, accessible spaces during extreme heat, poor air quality, and power outages. These centers will offer cooling, clean air, charging, and emergency resources, while also serving as year-round hubs for community preparedness, climate education, and resource distribution.

  • To meet our climate goals and improve quality of life, Los Angeles must make it easier, safer, and faster to get around without relying on a car. I will work to build a connected network of protected bike lanes, expand priority bus-only and rapid bus lanes, and improve street design to support safe, reliable, and efficient transportation.

    Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our city. By investing in safe biking, fast and reliable transit, and streets designed for people, we can reduce emissions, improve air quality, and lower transportation costs for working families. (see Transportation Platform)

EVERY FAMILY DESERVES HEALTHY HOMES

Climate change is bringing hotter summers, colder winters, and more frequent disasters in Los Angeles. For many families, that can mean life-threatening heat waves or dangerously cold nights in already unsafe housing conditions. We need to invest in safe, healthy, and green homes for every family in the 9th District.

  • Build on successful pilots in South Central Los Angeles by expanding access to heat pump cooling, energy efficiency upgrades, and other clean energy solutions in affordable and rent-stabilized housing, with strong protections to ensure tenants benefit from healthier homes and lower energy bills without displacement or rent increases.

  • I will work to increase utilization of state programs such as the Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), ensuring that more families in District 9 can access these critical resources.

    Weatherization and energy efficiency improvements help stabilize indoor temperatures, reduce exposure to extreme heat and cold, and improve air quality by sealing out pollutants and allergens. They also lower energy costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Strengthening enforcement of indoor air quality and habitability standards is essential to ensuring safe and healthy homes for all residents. Poor indoor air quality can worsen asthma, trigger respiratory illness, and lead to long-term health impacts, especially for children, seniors, and people with existing conditions. I will require landlords to promptly remediate mold, lead, and other environmental health hazards, and hold them accountable for providing housing that meets basic health and safety standards.

  • Extreme heat is one of the most immediate and dangerous impacts of climate change, especially for residents in District 9 who often live in older, under-resourced housing without adequate cooling. I will create and implement a comprehensive Extreme Heat Action Plan by working with the Climate Emergency Mobilization Office and other City departments to coordinate a citywide response.

  • To ensure our transition to a cleaner, more sustainable city does not come at the expense of working families, I will expand legal assistance for tenants through Measure ULA and work with the City Attorney to strengthen enforcement of tenant protections so families are not displaced through green building upgrades. Too often, necessary investments in energy efficiency and building electrification are used as a pretext for rent increases or evictions, pushing out the very residents these improvements are meant to benefit.

  • Every resident deserves a home that stays safe during extreme heat. I will work to ensure homes can be kept below 82 degrees during heat waves by investing in passive cooling, insulation, and weatherization, and by expanding access to efficient heat pumps so all residents, especially renters and low-income households, can stay safe while keeping energy costs affordable.

    Extreme heat is one of the deadliest impacts of climate change, and poorly insulated homes can trap heat, putting families at risk of heat exhaustion and other serious health conditions. At the same time, inefficient homes drive up energy bills, forcing residents to choose between staying cool and affording basic needs.

Addressing Food Injustice in South Central

Any vision of sustainability, public health, or good governance must include food. Food systems are at the heart of climate justice: the way we grow, distribute, and consume food drives greenhouse gas emissions, health outcomes, and community well-being.

In the U.S., food is so abundant that it goes to waste, while families still go hungry each night. This is a policy failure and hunger and food access require deliberate, systemic solutions.

South Central Los Angeles has always been central to this story as hunger and access to healthy food has persisted in our own neighborhoods. Tackling food injustice today means bold expansions of LA’s food policy programs that reduce emissions, end hunger, and restore food as a driver of community health and climate resilience.

  • A City Food office would serve as the governmental hub promoting collaborations with other governmental offices dedicated towards joint-policy goals. It could oversee the Sanitation department’s food-waste reclamation efforts. Going even further, it could even promote the proper composting of green waste into a network of urban farms and gardens across our city park system.

    This naturally aligns with our Parks and Recreation department and saves money on costly fertilizers and buying back composted materials from commercial partners who control the current waste market. The possibilities for collaboration are bountiful and will help our city thrive.

  • Publicly owned grocery stores already exist, serving over a million Americans every day, with prices 25 to 30 percent lower than conventional retail. There are many benefits to such a model including lower overhead costs as the properties are often owned by the government, thus lowering property rent. Furthermore, the workers get union representation and the benefits of being a city employee.

  • Cities have a critical role to play in reducing the impact of our food systems. By treating food as part of our climate strategy, Los Angeles can address emissions that are often overlooked but have significant environmental and public health consequences.

    I will push the city to follow the example of cities like Pittsburgh by treating food as a core part of our climate strategy. That includes reducing emissions from city feeding programs, expanding plant-forward procurement, cutting food waste through composting and recovery programs, and supporting local and regional food systems.

  • Support neighbors who want to grow fruits and vegetables in their yards, rooftops, parkways, and even vacant lots. In South LA, where healthy food is often hard to come by, giving people more chances to grow their own food means healthier families and stronger communities.

    Urban agriculture can also help cool neighborhoods, improve soil health, capture stormwater, and increase green space in areas that need it most.

  • Too many empty lots in Council District 9 sit unused while our communities face food insecurity, extreme heat, and a lack of green space. I will work with the community to transform vacant land into community gardens and small urban farms, turning blight into opportunity and bringing fresh, healthy food closer to the people who need it most.

    Converting vacant lots into green space helps reduce urban heat, improve air quality, capture stormwater, and increase neighborhood resilience. I will work with property owners, community organizations, and local residents to make it easier to enroll land in the program, provide technical assistance, and ensure these spaces are community-led and sustainably maintained.

  • Make it easier for street vendors and local growers to sell produce in our neighborhoods. Street vending has always been part of District 9’s culture and economy, and by connecting it to urban farming, we can create jobs, support small businesses, and increase access to affordable, healthy food.