Ryan Schleeter 
It’s hard to believe that my last day before entering retirement is next Tuesday, June 30. The Climate Center’s Board of Directors and management team are making progress toward hiring a new CEO to take us to even greater heights. You’ll be hearing more from them soon! Thank you, partners, donors, and activists for being … Read more
The war in Iran continues to drive fuel prices higher and higher. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to shipping traffic, which most experts expect it will, it’s likely that gas prices will hit a record high in the United States. Fossil fuel corporations are loving it, taking advantage of the conflict to record … Read more
On May 14, Governor Newsom released his proposed state budget for 2026-2027. This “May Revise,” as it’s known, is an update to the budget the governor originally proposed in January, which included devastating cuts to state climate investments. The budget process is complex, but it’s an incredibly important piece of California’s climate progress. Our state’s … Read more
On May 6, 2026, the California Senate Joint Budget Committees and the Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the state’s Cap and Invest program. California’s Cap and Invest program, formerly called Cap and Trade, is a market-based system intended to reduce climate pollution and generate funds to invest in climate solutions. But as … Read more
The Climate Center is a beneficiary of Climate Ride, a nonprofit that organizes active events to raise money for the planet. This year, we are fundraising for our work by participating in the Green Fondo Northern California cycling event. Read our stories about why we ride! Laurie-Ann, Administrative Manager: Having just celebrated my twelfth anniversary … Read more
On April 13, 2026, more than 400 elected officials, climate activists, business leaders, environmental justice advocates, scientists, and policy experts gathered for the fifth annual California Climate Policy Summit. Thank you to all of you who joined us and supported this event! Read The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen’s opening remarks below: Welcome everyone, and … Read more
SACRAMENTO — California’s carbon trading programs funneled $27.8 billion to oil companies and biofuel suppliers from 2013 to 2024, according to a new report from The Climate Center released today. The report, Clearing the Zero-Emission Path: A Review of Financial Transfers to Polluting Fuels via California Carbon Trading Programs, finds the combined value of free … Read more
This report reveals how California’s carbon trading programs funneled $27.8 billion to oil companies and biofuel suppliers from 2013 to 2024. Both the Cap and Trade program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard have the stated purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping California meet its statutory climate goals. In reality, our analysis shows … Read more
I can’t believe it, but it’s true. I turn 70 this year, and after 47 years working to secure a better future for all life on our planet, the time has come for me to retire! This is a bittersweet moment: my official last day will be June 30, the end of The Climate Center’s … Read more
Looking ahead at this critical year for climate and democracy, The Climate Center’s work in California feels more important to me than ever. There is, as usual, a lot to track, but these three trends in California climate policy are sure to have a ripple effect across the nation and the world. First is the … Read more
