California Climate Solutions

We tend to follow the national news more closely than what happens at the state and local level. I think this is a big mistake. What happens in our own town, county and state will affect just as much (if not more) that what happens with the federal government.  And crucially, we each can affect the decisions of our local government. In contrast, my email will barely make a dent in what the President of the U.S.A. decides to do or not do!

So, what climate solutions have been happening or need support in California, Sonoma County or at SRJC?

A lot happened in California this past  year to help fight the climate crisis, both legislation and regulation. Legislation are laws passed by the legislators and signed by the Governor.  Laws need to be implemented,  interpreted and enforced by government agencies. This is called regulation. 

I've  selected the most important actions, but there were many others.  For example there were bills passed regarding carbon capture and removal of carbon pollution. This is a complicated topic, with people arguing for and against the measures. I recommend this article if you want to learn more.  There were also bills that couldn't get passed, that will be fights for next year!

The big picture is that MANY state senators and assembly members worked on A LOT of bills and that Governor Newsom not only signed these bills, but encouraged and advocated for them during the legislative process.  This shows that there is a commitment to fighting climate change in our state government.  For  more information, here is an article  California Climate Commitment

Legislation: 

Here are the bills that passed in the California State Senate (SB= Senate Bill)  and Assembly (AB= Assembly Bill) in 2023 and 2022

SB 4: Affordable Housing on Faith Lands

Provided a streamlined process for religious organizations and nonprofit colleges to develop affordable housing on their property regardless of local zoning restriction.  Affordable housing is a key element of climate change action. If people have to live far from their jobs due to housing costs, then they will release more GHGs due to commuting.  There are many other housing issues that passed in California and will help with the fight against climate change, provide affordable housing and improve the economic outlook for the state. For more on this topic check out the website of California YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard)

SB 253: Climate Corporate Data Accountability 

Requires US-based corporations with annual revenue above $1 billion who do business in CA to publicly disclose their annual greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Since California is the 5th largest economy in the world, the law has a big impact worldwide. Do these disclosure laws make a difference? Here is an excerpt from an PBS article on the topic:

A recent study of the U.K.’s 2013 disclosure mandate for U.K.-incorporated listed firms found that companies reduced their operational emissions by about 8 percent relative to a control group, with no significant changes to their profitability. When companies report their emissions, they can gain important knowledge about inefficiencies in their operations and supply chains that weren’t evident before.

Protect Communities From Oil Drilling : SB 1137 

This bill requires at least a 3,200-feet setback between new oil and gas wells and people’s homes and schools. California was the only oil-producing state without any kind of setback requirement.; by comparison, Colorado has a 2000-foot setback for oil and gas operations. The setback was determined by public health experts because living closer than 3,200 ft from an oil well is connected to higher rates of adverse birth outcomes, asthma, and heart disease. This is an example of  protecting frontline communities that are experiencing the worst impacts of climate change. They are always lower income and usually communities of color.

More information: 

• • • • • SB 1137 (Gonzalez and Limón) Health Protection - Zones for Frontline Communities
        • What is a frontline community? — Care About Climate
        • California Moves to Prevent New Oil Drilling Near Communities, Expand Health Protections.
        • The Oil Well Next Door: California’s Silent Health Hazard

Carbon Neutrality: AB 1279

The goal is to make California carbon neutral by 2045. Governor Newsom issued an executive order to this effect in 2018. But executive orders can be undone by a later governor. Passing this law makes it a strong requirement that can’t be reversed later.  Carbon neutral means that the state will reduce its GHG emissions to the point that we can compensate for the remaining emissions with carbon offsets (something that sucks up carbon- like trees etc) 

More information at A Beginners Guide to Carbon Neutrality

100% Clean Electrical Grid: SB 1020

In 2018 California passed a law that required all electricity to be 100% clean by 2045. This bill strengthens that law by establishing benchmarks:  90% clean energy by 2035; 95% by 2040. In addition all state agencies will  use renewable energy by 2035

More information: 

• • • • • • SB 100 Joint Agency Report
          • SB 1020

Nature Based Solutions: AB1757

This focuses on nature based carbon sequestration such as planting trees, doing wetland restoration  and urban forestry.

More information:

• • • • • Carbon storage in US wetlands  
        • California's Healthy Soils Initiative
        •  AB 1757
        • Agricultural Practices Producing and Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Trade offs:

These bills were part of a bargain with the Governor Newsom. He wanted the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant to be kept open and in return signed these bills after they were passed by legislators. While I am  uncomfortable with nuclear power, keeping existing plants running is probably needed for achieving climate goals. Global climate objectives fall short without nuclear power in the mix: UNECE

Regulations

Ban on natural gas heaters and furnaces: The California Air Resources Board (CARB)  took the first step to phase out these type of heaters. Burning natural gas to heat homes generates GHG. If we use electricity instead, then the electricity can be generated by solar, wind, etc.  They are also very polluting (indoor air pollution is a huge health hazard linked to cancer, asthma more). California first state to ban natural gas heaters and furnaces – The Hill

100% Zero Emission Vehicles by 2035. method of achieving this is by requiring that automakers to sell at first 35% ZEV and then ramp that up year by year. This will be matched with vehicle incentives and financial assistance.  California Adopts Roadmap for Reaching 100% Zero-Emission Vehicles