March 23, 2026
From wildfire readiness to circular waste solutions, San Diego is building a more resilient, sustainable future.
With spring underway and Earth Month on the horizon, Impact explored the intersection of sustainability and energy at its March seminar, hosted at San Diego Gas & Electric.
The day began with an insightful overview of County sustainability efforts led by Chief Sustainability Officer, Eden Brukman (24). Eden heads the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Justice (OSEJ), where she and her team are guided by the principle of tikkun olam, or “repair the world.” She highlighted several key initiatives currently underway and introduced the leaders driving this work forward. From regional decarbonization frameworks to community-centered climate conversations, OSEJ plays a critical role in advancing programs that engage communities, support regionwide climate action, and strengthen the County’s internal sustainability practices.
Following Eden’s presentation, the cohort visited SDG&E’s Wildfire and Climate Resilience Center. The WCRC is an innovative hub where teams monitor and respond to both immediate weather threats and long-term climate trends. Brian D’Agostino, Vice President of Wildfire & Climate Science, guided the group through the facility. As SDG&E’s first meteorologist, Brian shared valuable context about the region’s risk landscape, noting that San Diego County faces the highest wildfire risk in the United States, with two-thirds of the area designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. His insights underscored the importance of advanced monitoring systems and proactive mitigation strategies.
In 2017, SDG&E launched the Alert SDG&E Cameras network with just 17 cameras providing live-stream visibility into high-risk areas. Due to its success, the program has since expanded into ALERTCalifornia, a statewide network of more than 1,200 cameras and sensor arrays. These tools now deliver real-time, actionable data that supports emergency response and enhances public safety across California.
Brian also demonstrated how artificial intelligence is being leveraged to forecast weather patterns and inform critical decisions, such as when to proactively de-energize power lines to reduce fire risk. San Diego’s wildfire mitigation strategies are now among the most advanced in the world, serving as a model for regions globally.
The group also had the chance to explore the Resilience Zone, where they engaged in interactive activities designed to deepen their understanding of the electrical grid and the impacts of climate change on various ecosystems. The hands-on experience brought energy (and a bit of friendly competition) to the learning process.
The day concluded with a presentation from Republic Services. Risa Baron (09), Municipal Manager, and Jesus Torres (22), General Manager, offered a behind-the-scenes look at what happens after waste leaves the curb. They highlighted the company’s innovative work at its San Diego facilities in Otay and Santee. At the Otay Sustainability Park, Republic Services operates a fully solar-powered compost facility capable of processing up to 300 tons of material daily.
The presentation also showcased sustainability in action through the organization’s partnership with the San Diego Padres. By collaborating with vendors, Republic Services helped Padres ensure that products used throughout the ballpark are compostable through collaborative testing. In 2025 alone, 856.1 tons of organic waste and compostable service ware were diverted to Republic’s compost facility. Even more impressively, the resulting compost is returned to Petco Park to support on-site landscaping and beautification, creating a full-circle sustainability model.
As the seminar demonstrated, sustainability in San Diego is not a distant goal, it is an active, evolving effort driven by collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. From energy resilience to waste reduction, the region continues to lead by example, offering a hopeful and actionable blueprint for a more sustainable future.
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