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.
| Press Release

New analysis: California’s working lands could absorb up from atmosphere equivalent of one-quarter of the state’s annual carbon emissions

Cattle Grazing Pasture

Santa Rosa, California, January 25, 2022 — A new report from California-based policy nonprofit The Climate Center finds that California’s working lands can sequester up to 100 million metric tons (MMT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year. That’s far more than previously estimated and enough to absorb almost one-quarter of the state’s annual greenhouse … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Targets
| Press Release

Governor Newsom’s proposed budget includes $22.5 billion for climate over five years, more is needed

Gavin Newsom by Charlie Kaijo

SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Newsom unveiled the California Blueprint, the first draft of his administration’s plans for spending California’s $45.7 billion budget surplus. The budget includes $22.5 billion for climate programs over five years, including $6 billion to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, $9 billion for other low-carbon transportation initiatives, $2 billion for clean … Read more

Categories Clean Energy
| Press Release

Senator Bill Dodd and The Climate Center introduce the Community Energy Resilience Act (SB 833)

Solar Installation

SACRAMENTO — Today, Senator Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and The Climate Center are introducing the Community Energy Resilience Act (SB 833). The bill proposes a program to assist cities and local governments in developing energy resilience plans using clean, distributed energy resources, curbing the demand for fossil-fueled generators during power outages. “Not only have recent power … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience
| Press Release

California regulators propose new fees on small-scale solar and storage

FrogSong solar by Laurie-Ann Barbour

December 13, 2021 — Today, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) issued a new proposed rule impacting small-scale solar energy and storage across California. The proposal includes a new fee structure that will make rooftop solar and customer-owned batteries cost-prohibitive for the average Californian. In response, The Climate Center Energy Program Manager Woody Hastings said: … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience
| Press Release

New analysis: Bay Area’s greenhouse gas emissions not shrinking fast enough

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

SANTA ROSA, California, November 8, 2021 — As world leaders gather in Glasgow for COP26, a new report by The Climate Center finds that the Bay Area’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not decreasing fast enough. Emissions dropped 3.6 percent between 2014 and 2019 across the Bay Area, well short of the pace Bay Area counties would … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels Transportation
| Press Release

Governor Newsom announces statewide 3,200-foot setback between communities and oil and gas drilling – The Climate Center response

Oil sites in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles, by Greenpeace

Wilmington, CA — Today, Governor Newsom announced that California’s oil regulator, California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), has released a draft health and safety rule recommending a mandated 3,200-foot distance between new oil and gas extraction sites and the places where people live, work, and play. According to the Associated Press, the 32,400 wells within … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
| Press Release

Oil pipeline spills 126,000 gallons off the coast of Orange County – The Climate Center response

Major Oil Spill Fouls Southern California Beaches

On Sunday, October 3, an oil pipeline operated by Beta Offshore — a California subsidiary of Houston-based Amplify Energy Corporation — spilled at least 126,000 gallons into the Pacific Ocean. Oil is expected to continue washing onto local beaches for several more days, along with dead wildlife and toxic fumes.  In response, The Climate Center … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels Public Health
| Press Release

Governor Newsom announces $15 billion down payment for climate resilience, but more is needed

September 23, 2021 — Today, Governor Newsom announced a $15 billion climate package that includes nearly $4 billion for electric vehicles, $5 billion for drought management, and $1.5 billion for wildfires, forest management, and prescribed burns in the state of California. In response, The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen said: “We are grateful to Governor … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels Transportation
| Press Release

California legislative session ends with a whimper – The Climate Center response

Capitol Building in Sacramento

September 13, 2021 — Late Friday night, the California State Legislature adjourned for the remainder of the year. The close of the legislative session marked another year in which much-needed climate legislation was obstructed by fossil fuel corporations and their allies.  In response, Ellie Cohen, CEO of climate and energy policy nonprofit The Climate Center, … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

Vote for the climate in California’s recall election

Climate Action Now

California’s recall election is fast approaching, and we at The Climate Center want to make sure you have all the information you need to exercise your right to vote. The climate crisis is hitting California harder than scientists predicted even a few years ago, and we deserve leaders who share our vision for a Climate-Safe … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels