We’re at COP29, the UN climate summit On Monday, representatives from nearly 200 nations and more than 3,000 NGOs — including our own Chief Operating Officer Barry Vesser — arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan for COP29, the annual United Nations climate change conference. The COP, or Conference of the Parties, brings together the nations of the … Read more
New satellite data shows the United States is releasing more methane despite pledges to cut back. Cutting methane emissions is one of the fastest ways to slow the climate crisis as this planet-heating gas is roughly 80 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. Across California, methane is released intentionally via flaring and venting at oil … Read more
Climate champions in the state legislature introduced critical bills this year aimed at supporting affordable and reliable clean energy and forcing oil and gas corporations to clean up their pollution. Four key bills survived and, with your help, could soon become law if signed by Governor Newsom: With major support from you and from across … Read more
Climate progress in the California legislature in 2024 was nowhere near what is needed to address the accelerating climate crisis. While our leaders must do more to rein in climate pollution and challenge Big Oil’s political influence, there are signs of hope to build on. This year, climate champions introduced bills to defend and grow … Read more
At the end of August, we gathered 50+ climate activists in Sacramento for a ’Make Polluters Pay’ rally to highlight three critical bills pending before California lawmakers: Shortly after the rally, with thanks to your phone calls and letters to decision-makers, all three bills passed the legislature and now await the governor’s signature! A new … Read more
California should be a place where democracy and fairness rule. But after another round of record spending on lobbying by oil companies this year, the oil and gas industry has sabotaged key bills designed to protect public health and the climate. Big Oil lobbying expenditures for the first half of 2024 came in at a … Read more
At the end of June, the California Independent Petroleum Association (CIPA) withdrew its referendum to repeal SB 1137, a law requiring a 3,200-foot health and safety setback zone between toxic oil drilling and homes, schools, and other sensitive sites. California has more than 100,000 unplugged oil and gas wells and nearly one-third of them are … Read more
SACRAMENTO — Moments ago, the California legislature passed AB 107, the Budget Act of 2024. As expected following Governor Newsom’s May revise, this budget includes billions in cuts and deferrals to climate spending, impacting programs for wildfire resilience, distributed clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and more. In response, The Climate Center’s Chief Operating Officer Barry Vesser … Read more
Recent legislative progress in the “Make Polluters Pay” movement shows how powerful we can be when we organize strategically. In mid-May, along with a strong coalition of partners, we lobbied in Sacramento in support of several key bills to Make Polluters Pay for the damage they cause to California communities and our climate. The bills … Read more
SACRAMENTO — Moments ago, Governor Newsom revealed key details of his May budget revision to be released next week, cementing his intentions to cut billions of dollars from programs designed to clean the air and reduce climate pollution. Despite a multibillion-dollar deficit, the governor is yet to respond to advocates’ calls to eliminate all tax … Read more
