California has a reputation for precedent-setting climate policy, and the last year has shown us why.
Thanks to the support of our generous donors, The Climate Center has been at the center of passing nation-leading, new laws. This year, together with policymakers, scientists, business leaders, local governments, activists, and others across the climate movement, we:
- Enacted a pioneering bidirectional electric vehicle bill, SB 59 (Skinner). SB 59 advances the use of EV batteries to prevent power outages, which will reduce reliance on polluting fossil fuels and save Californians’ money on their electricity bills.
- Catalyzed California’s new, first-of-their-kind targets for natural carbon drawdown and other nature-based climate solutions.
- Restored hundreds of millions of dollars in state investments for climate solutions that reduce pollution, enhance food and water security, and protect frontline communities.
- Passed a $10 billion climate bond out of the legislature. If approved by voters in the November 2024 election, Prop 4 will support wildfire protection, clean water, and climate-friendly agriculture.
- Played a key role in the movement to enact “polluter pays” laws that hold Big Oil accountable, reduce pollution in frontline communities, and ensure local governments can ban neighborhood oil drilling.
Our progress is even more remarkable considering the state faces a historic budget deficit and the powerful oil and gas lobby continues to spend record amounts to delay climate action.
But compared to what the latest science demands, California is not doing enough to reverse the climate crisis.
There is still a small window of opportunity to prevent dangerous climate tipping points, but we must act fast. California is home to some of the world’s most prominent climate visionaries, but we need more than just vision right now. We need urgency.
In California this year alone, dozens died from extreme heat waves. Wildfires continue to ravage our state, fueled by the whiplash between wet winters and hot, dry summers. And Californians continue to breathe some of the dirtiest air in the nation thanks to fossil fuel pollution. Simply put, business as usual is deadly.
California sets the standard for climate action. When we enact bolder, more ambitious policy, the world follows. Our actions — and inaction — resonate far beyond our borders, and we must not settle for incremental progress. With oil interests and corporate utilities fighting desperately to protect their profits and the future of federal climate action uncertain, California’s role is more important than ever.
That means our work at The Climate Center is more important than ever, too. We are a think-tank and do-tank working to make bold climate solutions a reality in California. Our research, webinars, and media outreach form the foundation for game-changing policies. We are laser-focused on ensuring that California meets the climate imperative head on, acting at the speed and scale that science demands to restore the stable climate system that has supported life on Earth for thousands of years.
California can and must lead the world in phasing out fossil fuels, growing the clean energy economy, and investing in natural climate solutions — not ten years from now, but today.
The good news is that, thanks to you, the movement for accelerated climate action is growing.
To all of you who gave us your time, money, and activism this year, thank you! Your dedication is an inspiration. Together, we will continue our collaborative work to secure a climate-safe future for all.
Read more in The Climate Center’s 2024 Annual Report here.
Ellie Cohen
Chief Executive Officer
