Press Release
September 23, 2020
CONTACT: 510.550.8173
[email protected]
ENVIROVOTERS STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S CLIMATE CHANGE EXECUTIVE ORDER
Sacramento, CA – Today, the California Environmental Voters released the following statement regarding the Governor’s Executive Order addressing climate change.
Statement from Mary Creasman, CEO, California Environmental Voters:
“The Governor’s executive actions today are a very real step forward. These are actions that will advance the climate fight and also improve public health and grow the economy. And, with intentionality, these actions have the opportunity to help correct racial and social injustice.
People’s voices in holding our leaders accountable are powerful, and the Governor’s actions today prove that. We are relieved and encouraged by Governor Newsom’s strong actions today – although we are behind in our work to address the climate crisis and these actions are incomplete. We are hopeful that this is just the beginning.
What’s particularly powerful about these actions are the international impact they will have. As the 5th largest economy in the world, these mandates will have a ripple effect by increasing clean transportation options globally.
We will be watching implementation closely to ensure action is front-loaded to meet the 2030 deadline that science has mandated, and that the work is done in an equitable way, ensuring affordability, jobs, and contracting opportunities are prioritized for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.
As excited as we are about the Governor’s strong leadership today, we are also disappointed that his plan to phase out fossil fuels fueling our fires doesn’t go far enough. There is no ‘natural gas’ or ‘renewable diesel.’ These are marketing campaigns from Big Oil and Big Gas to gaslight Californians who are breathing the toxic air they are producing.
This step today is significant for California, and the world, and it is just the beginning of what’s needed. We need similar bold action on electifying buildings, cleaning up toxics and plastics pollution, and clean energy storage. But what is most notably missing in these actions are investments and regulation to make our landscapes and communities more resilient to forest fires and drought.
This is a real step forward, and the next few steps need to follow soon behind.”
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.
