Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation

My climate advocacy journey began 17 years ago while studying at San Diego State University, and it's been a privilege to dedicate my entire professional career to climate action. While I certainly don't do it for the recognition, it is an honor to receive an Environmental Hero Award from Assemblymember Tasha Boerner. I am so proud of the work we do every day at Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation, and it wouldn’t be possible without the exceptional efforts from my team. I want to give a special shout out to my phenomenal deputy director Karinna Gonzalez! I'd also like to credit the support from our generous philanthropic partners, coalition allies and community leaders. You all know who you are, and I greatly appreciate you for helping create a more just and livable future for all! 🌎 With the new administration coming in, we are pushing hard to deploy as many #SolarMoonshotProgram grants as possible as quickly as possible. If you or someone you know is interested in making a tax-deductible donation to support this program, helping nonprofits in Communities of Concern to go solar, please reach out to me! You can learn more about our program that's helped 163 nonprofits in 28 states, Puerto Rico and Rwanda go solar here: www.solarmoonshot.org ☀️ Here is today's The San Diego Union-Tribune article featuring my award: https://lnkd.in/gbHU2mJR

Congratulations to California Assemblymember Christopher Ward on his surprise recognition during his lovely holiday soiree at the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park. TransFamily Support Services presented Assemblymember Chris Ward with their first-ever Champion for #TransYouthAward! In addition to advancing climate legislation, Assemblymember Ward has been advocating tirelessly for trans youth through his leadership in the CA Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus and his dedication to impactful legislation, including the SAFETY Act that passed this year. The climate crisis amplifies existing inequalities related to gender, class, race and other factors, deepening these disparities. Additionally, when people are not safe or don’t feel secure (with housing, food, etc), it’s difficult to be a climate champion or take action to reduce the impacts of the climate crisis. Prioritizing equity of all types is the right thing to do and also helps create a more just and livable future for all. We have proudly supported two LGBTQ centers with #SolarMoonshotProgram grants - the The Sacramento LGBT Community Center and the The LGBTQ Center Long Beach. We have funding available to help more centers go solar, reducing carbon emissions and saving the nonprofits money that gets reinvested into their missions. If you know of another organization supporting trans youth or the LGBTQIA+ community, you’re welcome to share our short application with them: www.solarmoonshot.org.

Researchers aboard a National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition have discovered the world’s largest coral, located in the remote Solomon Islands. This massive coral, a Pavona clavus species, spans a staggering 111.5 feet wide, 105 feet long and stands 18 feet high, with a circumference of 600 feet — making it larger than the blue whale! The coral, which is made up of nearly one billion tiny polyps, has been growing uninterrupted for over 300 years. Despite its massive size, it was completely unknown to local communities until now. It serves as an essential habitat, offering shelter and breeding grounds for various marine species, including fish, shrimp and crabs—vital for both marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of local communities. This extraordinary find is a beacon of hope in the fight to protect coral reefs, which are increasingly bleaching and dying off due to the climate crisis, mainly rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification. The discovery underscores the need for urgent conservation efforts, especially as only 8.4% of the ocean is currently protected. Scientists are calling for stronger protection of these vital ecosystems, which play a crucial role in absorbing carbon and supporting marine biodiversity. The Solomon Islands, with its rich marine life and second-highest coral diversity on Earth, now holds the title of the home to this natural wonder. It highlights the incredible biodiversity of the Coral Triangle and reinforces the importance of ocean conservation for the future of life on our planet. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/gQdpehFm This photo of coral reefs was taken in 2017 in Polynesia by our founder, Tara Hammond.

It's #SolarSaturday and today we're featuring #SolarMoonshotProgram grantee, Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, which will be getting a solar power and energy storage system in addition to a Harvest Thermal smart heat pump system early next year. ☀️ Today, Olivewood held a lovely appreciation event for their supporters. Our founder and executive director, Tara Hammond, had the pleasure of attending with her son Stryder who especially loved the passionfruit tunnel. Attendees enjoyed a healthy lunch under the shade of gorgeous trees and met the amazing team that makes all of the impactful work Olivewood does for the community possible. The short speeches were made in both English and Spanish. Attendees potted collard greens or lettuce seedlings to bring home and enjoyed a tour of the beautiful grounds. 🌱 To learn more about Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center, visit www.olivewoodgardens.org. 👀 Keep an eye out for a spring pickleball fundraiser for the Olivewood Gardens solar, storage and smart heat pump project. We have $135,000 secured and are seeking an addition $19,000 to cover all project costs. The solar and storage system alone is projected to save $395,000 over the next 25 years, and the smart heat pump will increase savings while reducing carbon emissions. This clean energy project is made possible by a grant we secured from San Diego Community Power in partnership with the San Diego Foundation and Calpine Energy Solutions in addition to the Solar Moonshot Program grant funded by BQuest Foundation and an investment tax credit bridge loan by an anonymous donor.

Our Executive Director Tara Hammond, and Deputy Director, Karinna Gonzalez, recently presented to the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative (“Climate Collaborative”) at the San Diego Foundation office. The Climate Collaborative was established in 2011 as a network for public agencies to advance climate change solutions that mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. The Climate Collaborative has since expanded to become a resilience hub and a catalyst for collaborative, cross-jurisdictional work in the San Diego region. Partnering with academia, nonprofit organizations as well as business and community leaders, the Climate Collaborative raises the profile of regional leadership, shares expertise and leverages resources. Our team was invited to speak about our efforts and highlight the San Diego Community Power Community Clean Energy Grant Program. They shared details about the Sherman Heights Community Center solar and storage project we spearheaded. They also discussed the upcoming solar, storage and heat pump project, in addition to a workforce workshop, that will come to fruition next year at Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center. It was great seeing fellow climate activists and partners at the meeting, and learning more about what other cities, the Port of San Diego and the San Diego Airport are doing to advance climate goals. To learn more about the Climate Collaborative, visit https://lnkd.in/etGBQU2f.

⚠️ Did you know that only 2% of philanthropic money goes towards organizations with an environmental focus of any kind? The stakes for climate action have never been more personal as the accelerating climate crisis threatens the lives and future of our communities worldwide. At the national level, the new administration has vowed to cut clean energy programs and expand fossil fuel projects that accelerate the climate crisis and environmental injustices. This threatens progress that we have all fought so hard for and attacks on clean energy, climate funding and policies supporting Communities of Concern are looming. But together, we can protect the progress we have made and expand it. We refuse to back down. With your help this #GivingTuesday, we're scaling up our impactful programs like our #SolarMoonshotProgram. Our efforts nationwide are empowering communities and prove that local action is the key to addressing the climate crisis. The Solar Moonshot Program has already helped to support over 217,581kW of solar across the nation and internationally, helping nonprofits that serve our most vulnerable populations, from food banks to affordable housing to schools and farms. Our program has helped to lower energy costs, reduce emissions and increase resilience against climate disasters. We are committed to deploying as many grants as possible as soon as possible, and your donation can help maximize our impact! This #GivingTuesday2024, you have the power to make a difference, and your tax deductible contribution will directly support solar projects, e-bike programs and climate advocacy. Help us continue to drive local solutions while advocating for a national movement for change. Donate here: www.hcs.foundation/donate Thanks in advance for helping us create a more just a livable future for all. 🌎

⚠️ Did you know that only 2% of philanthropic money goes towards organizations with an environmental focus of any kind? The stakes for climate action have never been more personal as the accelerating climate crisis threatens the lives and future of our communities worldwide. At the national level, the new administration has vowed to cut clean energy programs and expand fossil fuel projects that accelerate the climate crisis and environmental injustices. This threatens progress that we have all fought so hard for and attacks on clean energy, climate funding and policies supporting Communities of Concern are looming. But together, we can protect the progress we have made and expand it. We refuse to back down. With your help this #GivingTuesday, we're scaling up our impactful programs like our #SolarMoonshotProgram. Our efforts nationwide are empowering communities and prove that local action is the key to addressing the climate crisis. The Solar Moonshot Program has already helped to support over 217,581kW of solar across the nation and internationally, helping nonprofits that serve our most vulnerable populations, from food banks to affordable housing to schools and farms. Our program has helped to lower energy costs, reduce emissions and increase resilience against climate disasters. We are committed to deploying as many grants as possible as soon as possible, and your donation can help maximize our impact! This #GivingTuesday2024, you have the power to make a difference, and your tax deductible contribution will directly support solar projects, e-bike programs and climate advocacy. Help us continue to drive local solutions while advocating for a national movement for change. Donate here: www.hcs.foundation/donate Thanks in advance for helping us create a more just a livable future for all. 🌎

This #CyberMonday, let’s break free from the cycle of overconsumption. Did you know that 80 percent of Black Friday/Cyber Monday purchases - and their plastic wrapping - end up in the landfill after a very short lifecycle? Instead of rushing to fill our virtual carts, let’s fill our lives with experiences, creativity and community. If you are planning on purchasing gifts today, consider gifting something meaningful, like a handmade item, an experience or a moment to share together. Whether it’s hiking in nature, having a cozy movie night, or cooking a meal for someone you love—these moments hold more value than anything we can buy. Choosing secondhand, handmade or local gifts over new products, especially shipped to you, helps conserve resources and lowers our carbon footprint. Every purchase, no matter how small, has an impact on life on Earth. Let’s make it one that reflects our care for the planet for the sake of a more just and livable future for all. Tap into the power of your local Buy Nothing community—a space where you can give, swap and share without contributing to the wasteful consumer culture. By sharing what we already have, we reduce waste and support sustainability in our own neighborhoods. Let’s choose quality over quantity, mindfulness over mindless scrolling and connection over consumption. This Cyber Monday, let’s vote with our dollar (by not spending) and be part of the change. 

We invite you to #BoycottBlackFriday with us. Instead of fueling overconsumption and contributing to the waste cycle and accelerating the climate crisis, let’s #GoOutside and enjoy the beautiful planet that offers us our home. Over the years, #BlackFriday has become a symbol of excess—excess packaging, excess waste and excess consumption. We have the knowledge and power to do better. We can gift experiences, donate to nonprofits on behalf of a loved one, buy second hand and share/source items from neighbors through Buy Nothing. Let’s start new traditions - spending our energy and resources in ways that truly matter: planting trees, volunteering with nonprofit organizations, cleaning up our communities or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. Nature doesn’t need a discount, it just needs our respect. This Black Friday, join us in slowing down, stepping outside and investing in experiences that help, rather than harm, our planet. When we prioritize nature and mindful living, we’re doing our part to reduce the environmental impact of mindless consumerism, which is pushing climate collapse and putting all lives in harm's way. 🌏

On Thanksgiving, we give our appreciation for our supporters, partners and climate activists worldwide. We also recognize Indigenous people, especially those whose land we occupy. For our Hammond Climate Solutions team, this is on unceded Kumeyaay land. For many, this day represents centuries of trauma, colonization and displacement. While we gather with our loved ones, we must also acknowledge the painful reality of #Thankstaking—the history of colonization that continues to impact Indigenous communities. Thanksgiving has long been tied to a story of unity, but it's important to recognize that for Indigenous peoples, this day represents the beginning of the theft of their land, culture and lives. It’s a reminder of how Indigenous communities have been systematically erased, oppressed and displaced since the arrival of settlers. The true history of this land is one of resilience, strength and survival. Indigenous peoples have been here for thousands of years, and their cultures, languages, and traditions deserve our respect, not our silence. #Thankstaking is a call to educate ourselves about this history, reflect on the ways we’ve benefited from it, and amplify Indigenous voices. It’s a time to honor the ongoing struggles faced by Native communities—whether it’s protecting sacred lands, fighting for basic human rights, or preserving their cultures in the face of systemic erasure. Let’s move beyond performative gratitude and take action—whether it’s by educating ourselves, supporting Indigenous businesses, or standing in solidarity with Indigenous-led land and water protection efforts. This isn’t just about acknowledging a painful history, but working toward a future where justice, equity and respect for Indigenous peoples are at the forefront. You can read more at All My Relations Podcast, who are making it their mission to represent Native Peoples accurately. Both women are part of Native American tribes from the United States. https://lnkd.in/g__36z6V