Fossil Fuels

| Press Release

‘We need to be fighting polluters’ – Governor Newsom outlines climate vision in State of the State address

SACRAMENTO, March 8, 2022 — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom gave his annual State of the State address before legislators in Sacramento. In his speech, the governor spoke of the need to confront corporate polluters, build on California’s historic leadership on clean energy technologies, and once again outlined a broad vision for ending the era of … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

Q&A: Behind the scenes at COP26 with Alex Gilchrist and Susan Thomas

The Climate Center COP26

In 2021, The Climate Center became an official observer organization of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), giving us the opportunity to participate in the COP26 global climate talks in November in Glasgow. Joining CEO Ellie Cohen (second from right) in Glasgow were long-time partner Alex Gilchrist (left) and Board of Directors … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels Just Transition Public Health
| Report

Should California Support Forest-Sourced Bioenergy?

Considerations for Wildfire, Climate, and Environmental Justice

Bioenergy has become a contentious issue within the environmental community. In California, one of the most pressing issues is how to manage and dispose of biomass from sustainable forestry practices. The state plans to dramatically scale up its forest management activities as part of its wildfire mitigation plan. At present, most of the biomass emerging … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Public Health
| Blog Post

Don’t mourn, organize: What I learned as an official observer at COP26

Global Day of Action, climate march through the streets of Glasgow

What an invigorating, inspiring, challenging, and frustrating ten days in Glasgow for the United Nations annual global climate summit, COP26. There were almost 40,000 people registered and up to 10,000 there any single day, even with attendance limited due to COVID. People from all over the world came together to share their stories of climate … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels Just Transition
| 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
| Blog Post

The California climate bills that passed — and failed — in 2021

Capitol Building in Sacramento

With the crack of the gavel last Friday night, California’s 2021 legislative session came to a close. Overall, this was a lackluster year for climate action in the California legislature. The most ambitious climate bills — including a measure that would have set a net-negative emissions target, the most ambitious climate goal in the country … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Fossil Fuels Public Health Transportation
| Blog Post

Climate voters showed up for Governor Newsom, now it’s time for him to show up for us

State of the State Protest in Sacramento

It’s official: Governor Newsom has survived the recall attempt.  Climate voters mobilized by the millions in this election. When we cast our ballots, we voted for action to address the wildfires, toxic smoke, drought, and intense heat waves that have wreaked havoc across California this summer. With the recall behind him, it’s up to Governor … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Fossil Fuels