Cool Davis, among many other community groups, is mourning the death of John Mott-Smith, who played such a pivotal leadership role in advancing climate education and action in our region. John passed peacefully at home on August 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 77. Amazingly, before he died and reflective of his consistent commitment to climate action, he still took time to pen his famous column, Per Capita Davis, in the local newspaper Davis Enterprise. 

 

In the style that characterized his more than 500 fortnightly columns, his last piece wove together climate science, politics and climate solutions in an accessible way that doesn’t shy away from today’s deep challenges, but stays positive and humorous. 

He doesn’t mince his words, comparing our predicament to being in a speeding train with Elmer Fudd’s Evil Twin as the driver speeding us to a cliff. In his words, ‘It has been a challenge to find a balance point for describing the future. On the one hand, we need to know about the positive and hopeful. Hope keeps us going. We also can’t ignore the negative. We need to look it squarely in the eye and challenge ourselves to deal with a not-so-pleasant reality.’ 

John was one of the key figures who helped found Cool Davis in 2010, when it was set up after the the City of Davis approved the Davis first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. He sat on its first Board, and was involved in many key regional climate initiatives, including the Yolo County Climate Change Compact, Yolo Energy Watch and our community choice energy company, Valley Clean Energy.

Here are some of the tributes that Cool Davis has received in gratitude for all of John’s efforts to forge a more sustainable future for our region:

‘I first had the opportunity to work with John through the Yolo County Climate Compact and then with him and the amazing leaders he put together for the Yolo Energy Watch; as well as through the creation of Cool Davis. Each step built on the last to create both policy and implementation strategies at multiple levels. John is one of my personal heroes – warm, inviting, treating everyone with an immense respect. He had not only great listening and leadership skills, but the rare ability to work in a self-effacing way with others to shape a mutually-owned vision. That vision and perseverance has established a collaborative structural framework around climate work that endures to this day. He leaves an amazing public legacy. On a personal level, it was always pure uncomplicated joy whenever I had the chance to work with him. Every day, whether he knew it or not, John gave a masterclass in quality leadership and in how to live an authentic life. I miss him.’ Lisa Baker, President, Cool Davis

‘John laid the groundwork for much of the collaborative climate work taking place in Yolo County today. His commitment to partnership, information sharing, and meaningful community engagement through the Yolo Climate Compact helped set our region on a path toward collective climate action. When I joined Yolo County as Sustainability Manager five years ago, John was incredibly generous with his time and knowledge. He took care to ensure I understood the history, relationships, and collaborative efforts that had been built over the previous two decades, helping me step into and carry forward that important work. He was incredibly kind, a wonderful connector of people and ideas, and someone who always made time to support others. His leadership, generosity, and presence in our community will be deeply missed.’ Kristen Wraithwall, Yolo County Sustainability Manager

‘When it came to climate issues, John was totally focused. He was never impressed by rosy rhetoric; he just wanted factual, data driven results. His quiet, calm manner was refreshing despite his intense passion for environmental improvement. His commitment was completely selfless.’ Tom Stallard, Mayor, Woodland

‘Craftsman of thought and consideration and consensus. Quiet influencer. Quick to smile, slow to frown. Novice mindset, expert navigator. Unknowing mentor. John, I’m sorry I did not get the chance to tell you again thank you, but thank you.’ Mitch Sears, Director, Valley Clean Energy

‘I recall John as a model public servant, calling attention to things that mattered but not to himself.’ Gerry Braun, Integrated Renewable Energy Systems Network

‘I first got to know John decades ago while I was working as a State Capitol reporter and he was taking on increasingly important roles in the California Secretary of State’s office. Years later, he became a font of knowledge for me (and all of us) on climate change issues. Then, in retirement, he became a champion working to elect local candidates who would serve the public interest. In every interaction I had with him, he was gregarious, kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. He epitomized what it means to serve in the public interest. He will truly be missed.’ Dan Carson, former Davis City Council Member

‘John was a man of principle and dedication, and above all an abiding kindness. His loss will be felt forever by those of us who care about our planet, the natural world, and the fate of future generations. He set the example. His wish would be for us to carry-on.’ Mark Aulman, Yolo Climate Action Commissioner

‘John was one of the people I got connected with in my first year here in Davis. We got to know each other through working to expand school gardens and education about growing food, composting, and reducing waste. Early on he told me that he did not have a lot of specific expertise (not true), but that his gift was connecting people for the greater good. And he was certainly excellent at making things happen in our community through that focus and skill. I learned from him how to get things to happen here.  We continued to cross paths on numerous efforts, Cool Davis, City advocacy, and Tree Davis, which he helped to launch. In more recent years I have appreciated his (and Susan’s) part in creating and making the Verbs happen to fund candidates in swing districts. I’ll miss his Per Capita Davis articles, and his voice in our community. He helped make Davis Davis for me.’ Anya McCann, Cool Cuisine and Tree Davis

‘His persistence and professionalism as relates to climate is truly admirable and will be missed.’ Christine Shewmaker, Woodland Climate Activist