Dear Culver City Democrats, I’m writing both as a former Culver City Mayor and as a National Board member of the Sierra Club which is so proud to endorse Mayor Yasmine-Imani McMorrin for her incredible bold environmental leadership.
She made sure that our years of community organizing for environmental justice to stop oil drilling resulted in successful, decisive legislation—policies that will protect our health and our planet for generations to come.
It is hard to overstate the incredible impact of stopping all new drilling and phasing out existing drilling in a 100-year-old oil field.
It’s work that I helped lead for many years on the Council, and after I termed out, Yasmine saw it through.
This work has pushed both LA City and LA County to pass resolutions inspired by Culver City. This work is nothing less than transformational.
Her vision, her tenacity, and her community-centered collaboration delivered what I believe to be the biggest environmental win in Culver City’s history.
Folks, if this were her only environmental accomplishment, it would be more than enough.
But this is Yasmine, so we know there’s more.
She’s championed zero waste policies to reduce toxic plastic pollution, to protect our waterways, wildlife, and our public health. And she has done this while supporting small businesses through their transition so they can reach compliance and do the right thing.
She’s consistently supported the expansion of Culver City’s Sustainable Business Program to reduce waste, increase energy efficiency and lower costs.
Mayor McMorrin stands up for the triple bottom line—doing right for the climate, the people, and their pocketbooks.
Our Mayor has also led on land use. I know this topic is more wonky than sexy, but it’s the defining issue in climate justice.
Land use policies are what separate the people who talk about the environment—from those who act for climate justice.
The way our cities are designed determines the amount of greenhouse gases we put into the atmosphere—full stop.
Mayor McMorrin has a deep understanding of the systems that are behind the climate crisis and she is fighting to dismantle them. She has led on the two most important land use issues for climate: mobility and housing.
She has fought hard, spoken movingly, shown up to all the rallies, and led the charge for mobility justice in Culver City. This is a battle we are still fighting the conservative Council majority on—and there’s still a long way to go. Yasmine is the best, brightest, and fiercest advocate for safe streets we’ve had.
Mobility justice is climate justice, and Yasmine is exactly the leader we need to achieve it.
On the housing front—even before she was elected—she has been leading community efforts to ensure Culver City renters are represented and protected, and that more abundant and equitable housing is built.
Her housing leadership has only grown and deepened since then. Housing policy is climate policy. The opportunity to live near your work and school means less driving, more equity, less pollution, better health outcomes, and a better life.
There is no better climate leader for our city right now. Mayor McMorrin is the champion we need.
Her success is our success. Her win is our win.