Cool Block Initiative

A City launches a Cool Block campaign to recruit and support block leaders, who in turn invite their neighbors onto a team to do the program together. The program has five themes (carbon reduction, resiliency, water stewardship, livability and empowerment) covered over eight bi-weekly meetings led by different neighbors living on a block or within a multi-family building. Participants select from a menu of 118 action recipes. Some actions are done as individuals and others are collective. Behavior change is achieved through a combination of action recipes, a peer support system, self-directed meeting scripts, and the guidance of others who have been through the program. The program is delivered through a custom web platform that helps households create an action plan, take action and track their progress in each topic. Local government and nonprofit resources (information and services) are linked to each action where available. A feedback system shows each household and block their results, so they are inspired to sustain their commitment. Block-level and city-wide aggregated data is provided to the City support team, so they can observe participant progress and engage in an effective partnership with its citizens. City recognition programs honor the accomplishment of each household and block. Cool Block will be brought to scale statewide through the Cool City Challenge. Empowerment Institute has raised $6 million in initial financing to invest $1 million capacity building grants in three California cities plus $50,000 grants in 5 more cities. Cities with a minimum population of 40,000 people will be invited to apply as a public-private-civic collaboration by showing how they can mobilize the participation of the community toward the creation of a carbon-neutral city.