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.
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Veronica Palmer joins The Climate Center as Individual Giving Manager

Veronica Palmer

Growing up in southern Ohio, some of my earliest memories of the outdoors are family hiking trips through Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. Those experiences sparked a lifelong appreciation for nature and outdoor recreation that eventually grew into a passion for long-distance hiking. After graduating from college, I set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, an … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
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Farewell and hope for our future

CEO Ellie Cohen (center) and The Climate Center's staff at their annual retreat in October of 2025 at Paicines Ranch. Photo by The Climate Center.

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

Categories Climate Targets
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The world is moving on to cleaner energy

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

Categories Clean Energy
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What to look for in Governor Newsom’s May Revise state budget

Governor Newsom at UN Climate Week in 2023, where he committed to sign SB 253 and 261. Photo: Office of the California Governor.

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

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Transportation
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Testimony: Strengthening Cap and Invest to reduce more climate pollution

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

Categories Climate Targets
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Support The Climate Center’s team in this year’s California Green Fondo Climate Ride

Photo via Laurie-Ann Barbour.

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

Categories Climate Justice Climate Targets
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Opening remarks from the 2026 California Climate Policy Summit

The 2026 California Climate Policy Summit. Photo by Lara Aburamadan / Survival Media Agency.

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

Categories Carbon Drawdown Climate Targets Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels
| Press Release

New report reveals California funneled $28 billion to corporate polluters via carbon trading programs

Webinar on February 19 will unpack findings and explore policy solutions

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

Categories Fossil Fuels Just Transition Transportation
| Report

Clearing the Zero-Emission Path

A review of financial transfers to polluting fuels via California carbon trading programs

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

Categories Fossil Fuels Just Transition Transportation