Press Release
January 7, 2020
CONTACT:
[email protected] | Jennifer Molina – 323.939.6791
SACRAMENTO – Today, Mary Creasman Chief Executive Officer of the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) issued the following statement welcoming the California State Legislature to the second year of a two-year session and calling for bold solutions to address the current climate crisis:
“Our world is facing uncertain times – we are already facing the climate crisis, from devastating wildfires, to costly disaster recovery and the rapidly changing weather patterns that are endangering communities and wildlife world-wide. While Washington, D.C. refuses to take the necessary steps, leaders across the nation are looking to California when it comes to bold solutions. Lawmakers must embrace the fact that we are not in living ordinary times and we cannot settle for ordinary solutions. During this legislative session, we are looking to have our legislators lead in providing a path forward to a clean energy economy and zero emission transportation, implementing waste reduction reforms, disclosing toxins in everyday products and lowering the voting age. We also look forward to a budget from Governor Newsom that encompasses funding for initiatives to uplift vulnerable communities feeling the daily negative impacts of climate change. Our communities across the state are paying attention and will hold our elected leaders accountable.”
In a UC Berkeley poll conducted in late 2019, 85% of likely voters in California’s Democratic primary said climate change was a top priority, and 47% said climate change should be the leading priority of the next president – higher than any other issue. This year, CLCV plans to bring accountability to the climate crisis. Later this month CLCV will release a revamp of its Scorecard for 2019.
In the meantime, CLCV urges law makers to push bills that:
- Prepares our workforce for a clean energy economy;
- Transitions our infrastructure to prepare for worsening impacts;
- Protects our communities from pollution: air quality, water quality, toxics, recycling;
- Keeps communities more resilient from climate impacts: extreme heat, seal level rise, mudslides, wildfires; and
- Protects natural resources and open spaces.
Further, CLCV advocates for swift action on critical bills introduced in 2019: ACA 8, SB 54, AB 1080, and SB 574.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL VOTERS
California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.
