This legislative session’s victories are unprecedented and launch a just climate future
CONTACT: Veda Banerjee, 415-999-8332, veda@envirovoters.org
SACRAMENTO, CA – Mary Creasman, Chief Executive Officer of California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), released the following statement in response to the climate provisions included in the climate and energy budget trailer bill passed by state lawmakers yesterday.
“This is a breakthrough year on climate action. California has proven we can still make big changes on climate and defeat the power of corporate polluters. Massive budget investments in clean transportation, building electrification, clean energy, and resilience are complementing a suite of transformative policies on health buffer zones from drilling, accelerated carbon neutrality goals, and first-in-the-world single-use packaging regulation. After years of inaction, 2022 is an unprecedented year of climate leadership.
“If California can sustain this climate courage in future years, we can truly create the global roadmap to solving the climate crisis and advancing justice. Californians’ health, lives, and livelihoods are on the line from record heat waves, drought, pollution, and extreme wildfires. Finally, California will start investing in solutions at the scale required to turn the tide before time runs out at the end of this decade.
“We should all be energized by the vision and focus the State Legislature and Governor have shown this year. And we also know more work is needed. It is deeply disappointing that the Assembly couldn’t muster the climate courage to also pass SB 260 and AB 2133. Securing the additional one vote needed for SB 260 (the Climate Corporate Accountability Act) and four votes for AB 2133 (GHG reductions to 55% below the 1990 level by Dec. 31, 2030) would have cemented this as a model year globally on climate action. This is the road we must take together to protect communities and our future, and we will keep fighting for it.”
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ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
