Santa Barbara has a long legacy of environmental leadership. After the 1969 oil spill off the coast, the Santa Barbara community helped shape landmark environmental policies — including the creation of the EPA and the passage of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act — that continue to benefit communities nationwide. Santa Barbara pioneered Earth Day and curbside recycling, demonstrating that local action can set global standards and protect the natural beauty that defines our city.

As your Councilmember, Eric worked to build on this commitment by advancing policies grounded in science and focused on climate resilience and sustainability. His Leadership helped created Santa Barbara Clean Energy, establish the Sustainability and Resilience Department, and update the City’s Local Coastal Plan for the first time in decades. He has also served in regional and statewide leadership roles on coastal and environmental issues, including efforts to address sea level rise and coastal protection. Eric is recognized as a statewide leader on coastal sea level rise adaptation and has been appointed as a local government representative to the Ocean Protection Council State Sea Level Rise Collaborative. 

As Mayor, Eric will continue the Santa Barbara legacy of environmental stewardship — pursuing practical, science-based solutions that protect our community, strengthen resilience, and preserve the natural resources that make Santa Barbara extraordinary. Environmental responsibility and economic opportunity are not competing values; they work together to ensure a thriving community for future generations.