Climate
Smart
Themes

What Is Climate Smart?

Climate Smart San José, adopted by the City Council in 2018, lays out how we are doing our part to address climate change. It's a community-wide initiative to reduce air pollution, save water and improve quality of life.



Choose Your Themes:

Climate Justice

Showcase how climate change and climate policies affect people differently, particularly those in vulnerable or marginalized communities. Explore some of the ways individuals as well as communities can advocate for equitable climate solutions.

Guiding Questions:

Resources

climate justice now sign

Climate Resilience and Adaptation

Explore how San José can prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change, including extreme heat, flooding, wildfire and smoke, and other climate hazards. Consider how nature-based solutions, infrastructure, community action, and other approaches can help create a more resilient community.

Guiding Questions:

Resources:

wetlands

Sustainable Transportation

Feature how turning to clean and sustainable transport improves public health, reduces emissions, and creates better connected and resilient communities.

Guiding Questions:

Resources:

public san jose transport

Open

Your choice! Present any environmental or climate-related topic from your own perspective, experience, or creative vision. We encourage you to do more research on your chosen theme on your own, but here are some resources from two of last year's contest themes, "Climate Action = Community Action" and "Power Up Sustainably: Clean Energy & Building Electrification."

Resources:

books

Climate Smart
Awards

All participants will receive a certificate from the City Of San José! The top 10 winners will receive cash prizes.

Winning videos will be displayed at a screening event at City Council Chambers on a Saturday afternoon in January 2027; contestants, parents, friends, environmental groups, City Councilmembers, and others are invited to watch the winning videos, network, and discuss climate action (you're welcome to attend regardless of whether your video was selected as a winning entry).