Climate Change

Inaction on climate change would cost billions in economic losses, major EPA-sponsored study finds

Monday, June 22, 2015 - 17:30

A global agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions would prevent nearly 70,000 premature American deaths annually by the end of the century while sparing the country hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of economic losses, according to a major government study on the cost of climate change.

Slowing the carbon build-up in the atmosphere would also prevent severe damage to a wide range of critical ecosystems, from Hawaiian coral reefs that support tourism to shellfish beds off the East Coast, said the report released by the White House on Monday.

California helps lead U.N. mission on climate change

Saturday, June 20, 2015 - 11:30

Pope Francis’ clarion call on climate change has been duly hailed as a potential game changer in the long-elusive effort to gain a global commitment for action. His 184-page encyclical, released last week, framed the issue in stark moral terms. The former chemist warned of the planet devolving into “an immense pile of filth” from its wealthier economies’ overreliance on fossil fuels.

Ann Notthoff

"Californians are seeing every day that climate action and a healthy economy go hand in hand. The State Senate is leading in their climate policies. This is good news for California and our climate action partners across the country and around the world."

Laurie Wayburn

"California’s leadership on climate action continues to be an example to the nation and the world, proving that you can reduce emissions while growing the economy. To meet our climate challenge we must continue to reduce emissions and increase efficiency, while also managing our forests and other lands to remove more CO2 from the air and adapt to our changing climate."

Steve Westly

"California has been the epicenter of innovation in America over the last 100 years.  Our companies have revolutionized the entertainment, agriculture, transportation, energy, and technology sectors. Today, it is increasingly clear that clean energy is the next frontier in the innovation economy.
 

Brian Sehnert

"With the world's seventh largest economy and a growth rate higher than the U.S. average, California is showing that climate actions and economic growth are fully compatible. The California Climate Leadership Package is a comprehensive effort to go further in addressing the most pressing issue of our time, by transforming our economy for the long haul. Senate pro Tem's de Leon's vision and leadership is to be commended."

SB 758 (Block)

Require study of atmospheric river patterns to increase water supply reliability and flood protection to make more effective use of their patterns as they produce 30 to 50 percent of California’s rain and water supply within a handful of days each year.

Proposal, Bill Language

SB 398 (Leyva)

Create the Green Assistance Program to provide technical assistance to small businesses, small non-profits and disadvantaged communities to access funding for energy efficiency upgrades or projects that lessen the negative health impacts of poor air quality.

Proposal, Bill Language