Fossil Fuels

| Press Release

Oil corporations spend millions of dollars to block California public health law

SAN FRANCISCO — Late last week, the California Secretary of State’s office announced that it has certified the oil industry-backed referendum challenging SB 1137. The law, passed last year, would have prohibited new oil drilling within 3,200 feet of sensitive sites like homes, schools, hospitals, and prisons. The referendum will go before voters on the … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
| Press Release

California’s top oil and gas regulator steps down – The Climate Center response

SAN FRANCISCO — Yesterday, Supervisor Uduak-Joe Ntuk announced that he will be stepping down as leader of the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM). Ntuk was appointed to the role — which oversees permitting for oil and gas drilling, public health and safety, and compliance with environmental regulations — by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019. … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
| Blog Post

Testimony: Recommendations for carbon sequestration on natural and working lands in California’s new climate plan

California Flag

On December 15, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its final public hearing related to the Scoping Plan, the state’s five-year roadmap for meeting its climate targets. While feedback from scientists and advocates has improved the plan significantly since the beginning of the year, gaps in CARB’s modeling and flaws in its approach … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Justice Climate Targets Fossil Fuels
| Press Release

California oil industry subverts democracy, delays public health protections

Neighborhood Drilling in Kern County

SACRAMENTO — This week, the California Independent Petroleum Association announced that it has collected enough signatures to qualify a petition to overturn SB 1137, a law banning new oil drilling within 3,200 feet of sensitive sites like homes, schools, hospitals, and prisons. In response, The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen said: “Californians overwhelmingly support public … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
| Press Release

California’s new five-year climate plan relies on fantasy levels of engineered carbon removal — The Climate Center response

It's Time to Cut Carbon

SAN FRANCISCO — Moments ago, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its final Scoping Plan, the state’s five-year roadmap for achieving its climate goals. After months of consultation with climate experts and advocates, as well as intervention from Governor Newsom, the plan reflects some significant improvements. These include a commitment to avoid the buildout … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Clean Energy Climate Justice Fossil Fuels
| Take Action

It’s time for a windfall profits cap on greedy oil corporations

Cap Big Oil Windfall Profits - Save Money, Save Democracy

Update: On March 28, 2023 Governor Newsom signed SBX 1-2 into law, giving state regulators the power to penalize oil companies for making too much money, the first of its kind in the country. Under the new law, the California Energy Commission has the authority to impose a penalty if oil company profits surpassed a … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels

The Climate Center at COP 27

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Ellie Cohen and Vincent Wiraatmadja at COP 27

At COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022, there was a historic, eleventh-hour agreement by the countries of the world to establish a “loss and damage” fund. For the first time, the world’s largest historic climate polluters, led by the United States, are acknowledging the need to formally address climate justice and establish funding mechanisms … Read more

The Real Impact of the Climate Crisis – Stories from the Frontlines

Neighborhood Oil Drilling Near School

This is the first webinar in the Envisioning a Climate-Safe California: Stories and Solutions series. As the consequences of inaction begin to mount, the human impacts of the climate crisis become more clear. We must ground ourselves in how our policymaking helps — or harms — people and communities as we forge the path toward … Read more

California Climate Policy Summit 2022

Sacramento State University
Ellie Cohen CA Climate Policy Summit

Accelerating action for a climate-safe future Scientists have repeatedly warned that California must act quickly to address the climate crisis or face more devastating fires, floods, heat waves, and drought. If we act now, we can secure clean air, abundant water, food security, and social equity. Our state has an opportunity to lead the world … Read more

Webinar: Huge Win! Culver City says no to oil, yes to jobs

Co-hosted by Sierra Club and The Climate Center California Senator Holly Mitchell and Culver City council member Meghan Sahli-Wells, along with The Climate Center and The Sierra Club, talked about Culver City’s recent success securing a plan to phase out oil operations within 2500 feet of homes, parks, and schools– while calling for a just … Read more