Ryan Schleeter

Ryan Schleeter (he/him/his) is the Communications Director for The Climate Center, working to build the movement for a Climate-Safe California. Prior to The Climate Center, Ryan led communications for Greenpeace USA’s climate campaigns and worked for the World Resources Institute’s sustainable cities program. He’s the co-author of a chapter on values-based communications approaches for mobilizing climate action in the forthcoming anthology "Framing New Worlds: Resistance Narratives From 21st Century Social Movements" and a graduate researcher at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. His writing has also appeared in National Geographic, Grist, and more. He grew up in the Bay Area and currently lives on Ohlone land in San Francisco, California. Follow Ryan on Twitter @ryschlee.
| Report

Reforming California’s Cap and Trade Program

Analysis and Recommendations

Sacramento River. Photo via Canva.

The California Cap and Trade Program plays a pivotal role in the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The program is currently under review to incorporate updated emissions inventory data and the increased emissions reduction targets adopted in the 2022 Scoping Plan. The revised regulations will determine emissions targets, budgets, and potential reforms for … Read more

Categories Climate Targets
| Blog Post

The Climate Center presents Senator Monique Limón with the second annual California Climate Leadership Award

Ellie Cohen and Senator Monique Limón

Welcome Senator Monique Limón! We are thrilled and honored to award you with this year’s California Climate Leadership Award. Senator Limón was elected to the Senate in November 2020 and represents Santa Barbara County, most of Ventura County, and part of San Luis Obispo County. Senator Limón is a leader among leaders. She is Chair … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Public Health
| Blog Post

Opening remarks at the California Climate Policy Summit 2025

CA Climate Policy Summit 2025

On April 22, 2025, The Climate Center convened 400 climate activists, environmental justice advocates, state decision-makers, elected officials, business leaders, scientists, and policy experts for the fourth annual California Climate Policy Summit. Thank you to everyone who joined us! Together, we’ll continue building support for accelerated, equitable climate policy. Read here the opening remarks from The … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels Just Transition
| Blog Post

Testimony: Reform Cap and Trade to cut pollution and help working Californians

On February 26, 2025, the California Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies held a hearing on the state’s Cap and Trade program. California’s Cap and Trade program. The program is supposed to be one of the most effective tools California has for both reducing climate pollution and generating funds to invest in climate solutions. … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

Testimony: Clean, affordable electricity using distributed energy resources

On February 19, 2025, the California Senate Energy, Utilities, and Communications Committee held a hearing on how to provide clean, affordable electricity. Electricity rates in California are nearly double the national average and have skyrocketed in recent years, outpacing inflation even while investor-owned utilities rake in record profits. The following expert testimony was provided to … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Energy Efficiency
| Press Release

Big oil was instrumental in crafting a California tax policy that now costs billions in revenue, report reveals

As California faces another deficit, advocates urge lawmakers to end fossil fuel subsidies

Oil tankers at the Port of Long Beach.

SACRAMENTO — Global oil majors played a pivotal role in orchestrating a multibillion-dollar tax dodge that shields corporate profits from California taxes, according to new, in-depth historical research and analysis by The Climate Center. The Water’s Edge tax election, established in the state in 1986 after a decade-long fight, enables multinational corporations to avoid taxes … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels
| Report

Envisioning the California Grid for the Future

Clean, Affordable, Reliable, Resilient, Equitable, and Safe

This paper presents a pathway for reforms needed in California to achieve a future in which everyone has access to clean, affordable, and reliable electricity. The landscape in this new world is dotted with solar panels on every suitable rooftop, complemented by a resilient network of microgrids as well as mobile and stationary batteries that … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Energy Efficiency Transportation
| Blog Post

A note from The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen

The outcome of this presidential election is a blow to our community’s hopes for accelerated, equitable climate action. But this election does not spell the end of climate progress. Why? Because we in the California climate movement are resilient, we are committed, and we refuse to give up the fight. Our foundational belief at The … Read more

Categories Climate Justice
| Press Release

California voters pass Prop 4, the climate bond

Bond secures $10 billion for investments in clean air, clean water, and climate resilience

Climate Action Now

SACRAMENTO — Moments ago, the Associated Press announced that California’s Proposition 4 has passed. Prop 4 will invest $10 billion in urgent protections against extreme heat, wildfire, sea level rise, and flooding, as well as investments in clean water. The bond also includes funding for California’s farms, natural lands, and waters to build climate resilience. Baani … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Justice Public Health
| Press Release

Governor Newsom signs first-in-the-nation bidirectional EV charging bill into law

SB 59 (Skinner) is designed to prevent power outages, lower energy bills, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels

SACRAMENTO — Last night, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 59 (Skinner) into law. SB 59 authorizes the California Energy Commission (CEC) to require that classes of electric vehicles (EVs) sold in California have bidirectional charging capability, which makes it possible to use the enormous amount of energy stored in EV batteries to shore up the … Read more

Categories Community Energy Resilience Transportation