Climate Justice

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Lawmakers let oil and gas interests sicken us. Governor Newsom can put us on the path to recovery. (CalMatters op-ed by The Climate Center)

By Venise Curry, MD, and Ellie Cohen, Special to CalMatters September 14, 2020 https://calmatters.org/commentary/my-turn/2020/09/lawmakers-let-oil-and-gas-interests-sicken-us-gov-newsom-can-put-us-on-the-path-to-recovery/ Make no mistake about it. Climate change is powering California’s perfect storm of record heat, lightning, drought, wildfire and smoke amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and electricity blackouts. In his video message to the Democratic National Convention in August, Governor Gavin Newsom … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
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Blackouts: Let’s build reliable clean power

“One factor that did not cause the rotating outage: California’s commitment to clean energy. Renewable energy did not cause the rotating outages.” That’s right, California’s climate policies and clean energy goals did not cause the state’s recent blackouts, as the three lead California energy agencies wrote in a letter to the Governor and the Legislature in August. The … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels
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Let’s ensure that communities already burdened by pollution benefit from a transition to clean energy

Joe Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate sent a message that climate change policy in a Biden Administration will focus on ensuring that communities already burdened by pollution benefit from a transition to clean energy, following up on Senator Harris’ recent proposed legislation, the Climate Equity Act. Equity was also the focus … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Community Energy Resilience
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California oil production limits stall in Legislature, leaving the issue to Newsom

More than 95% of all Federal drilling occurs in established fields within the Kern County area of the San Joaquin Valley.

by Phil Willon, The Los Angeles Times Highlights Assembley Bill 345, legislation that would have mandated setbacks of oil drilling sites from homes, schools, and other community dwellings, was voted down 5-4 The bill would have also required the Department of Conservation to create an environmental justice progam where residents near drilling sites could voice their … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
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Harris and Ocasio-Cortez team up on a Climate ‘Equity’ Bill

by Ilana Cohen, Inside Climate News Highlights California Senator Kamala Harris and Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez unveiled an updated version of their Climate Equity Act that was initially released a year ago as Senator Harris was running for the Democratic Presidential nomination The Climate Equity Act would: Create an Office of Climate and Environmental Justice Accountability  … Read more

Categories Climate Justice
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How the fossil fuel industry drives climate change and police brutality

Seattle Black Lives Matter protest by Kelly Kline

by Alexandria Herr, Grist Highlights Public Accountability Initiative and LittleSis released a new report detailing how oil companies fund police foundations across the country These foundations are non-profits that raise money to buy weapons, equipment, and surveillance technology for police departments Some fossil fuel companies have also supported legislation that would criminalize protesting pipelines Big … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
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California greenlights ‘Orwellian’ solar-powered fracking scheme

by Steve Horn, The Real News Highlights California Governor Gavin Newsom approved two rounds drilling permits for Chevron this summer, furthering criticism from environmental groups Since lifting the moratorium on fracking, Governor Newsom has approved 36 new fracking permits in Lost Hills to Aera Energy, a company he has close ties with  Chevron was given … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
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Tired of wells that threaten residents’ health, a small California town takes on the oil industry

Committee For A Better Arvin / Comite para un Arvin mejor

by Julia Kane, Inside Climate News Highlights In the Central Valley of California, exhaust from semi-trucks, oil and gas fumes, plus pesticides from the agricultural sector are trapped in the valley, creating mass pollution that creates severe health problems Health effects include asthma, respiratory illnesses, preterm birth, low birth weight, and cancer  Pollution caused by … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
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Let’s secure equitable access to resilient clean energy

#WomenInSolar installs in Nicaragua & Nepal by Grid Alternatives

The Climate Center’s Community Energy Resilience Policy Summit will address equitable approaches to clean energy resilience programs.  August 5, 2020, 9 AM – 12 PM. As awareness of systemic poverty and racism grows, government policies and programs beyond police force budgets and protocols are also getting attention. The media is shining light on toxic oil … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Community Energy Resilience