FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Climate Bond Now coalition applauds state leaders for crafting a bond focused on communities and natural resources most at risk — reflecting an unprecedented consensus across environmental, environmental justice, and sustainable agriculture organizations

SACRAMENTO, CA — Representatives of the Climate Bond Now coalition applauded state leaders for placing an unprecedented $10 billion climate bond on the state ballot in November through passing SB 867, by Senator Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica).

Climate Bond Now has been encouraging state leaders to adopt a climate bond framework focused on the communities and natural resources most at risk, while supporting investments to protect safe drinking water and clean air, prevent wildfires, help communities prepare for extreme heat, promote sustainable agriculture, and mitigate sea-level rise. This framework paved the way for widespread support of the final bond agreement.

Here is a collection of statements from Climate Bond Now coalition members.

Susana De Anda, Executive Director, Community Water Center:

“We thank state leaders for continuing your legacy as champions for safe water by passing SB 867. SB 867 now allows California’s voters to approve $610 million for safe water and propel our state to provide safe water to all — a first in the nation. This is a critical step towards meeting the Human Right to Water for all in California.” 

Melissa Romero, Deputy Legislative Director, California Environmental Voters: 

“As climate extremes tighten their grip on California, communities are struggling, and we know these challenges are only going to get worse unless we act now. The science is clear. We must do more to fight climate change this decade to protect California from a future shaped by deadly heat waves, catastrophic wildfires and pollution, and destructive cycles of drought, bomb cyclones, and flooding. We applaud the Legislature for crafting a strong, equitable climate bond that will help communities with the least avoid suffering the most. We look forward to Californians voting to protect climate action in November.”

Katelyn Roedner Sutter, California State Director, Environmental Defense Fund:

“California must double down on climate action, and it’s exciting to see state leaders deliver this choice to voters. This gives voters a real chance to invest in proven and necessary climate solutions to build a better future. We can’t afford to wait because we are already paying a steep price for growing but preventable risks from wildfires, pollution, extreme heat, drought, and flooding. Communities need help now, and our kids are counting on us to secure a safer, more prosperous future for them. The stakes have never been higher, and voters now have an unprecedented opportunity to invest in proven solutions for a better future.”

Juan Altamirano, Director of Government Affairs, Trust for Public Land:

“Climate change is threatening our quality of life and well-being. This bond makes critical, much-needed investments in parks and public land in disadvantaged communities to ensure the next generation can get outdoors, close to home, in the cities and communities where they live. We thank the lawmakers for giving voters an opportunity to approve these critical investments in November, and look forward to Governor Newsom’s partnership in bringing these resources to communities that need them the most.”

The Greenlining Institute and TreePeople:

“Our organizations support SB 867, and looking beyond this bond, recognize State leaders must continue to do more to protect our most vulnerable populations from the multiple threats of extreme heat, and create climate resilient communities. We deeply appreciate and applaud the legislative champions who fought to uplift disadvantaged communities in SB 867, including Assembly Members Garcia, Bryan, and Connolly; and Senators Durazo, Limón, Gonzalez, Smallwood-Cuevas, and Cortese.”

Dan Silver, Executive Director, Endangered Habitats League:

"The rest of the world is looking to California for leadership on climate. This package is comprehensive and will keep Californians and nature safe into the future." 

Alfredo Gonzalez, Director of Environmental Equity and Justice, Resources Legacy Fund:

“We are thankful for this breakthrough agreement from state leaders that will give Californians a choice on their climate future. Years of work went into putting this bond on the ballot, and voters should be proud to support it. The need is clear and the time is right. We are grateful for the passion and persistence of our coalition partners and legislative champions who built consensus and helped our state’s leaders find a path to success. By speaking out together, our vision for a robust bond to build a more equitable climate future prevailed.”

Jamie Fanous, Policy Director, Community Alliance with Family Farmers:

“It is heartening to see the final climate bond includes major investments in California’s working lands and sustainable agriculture practices, which are vital for promoting economic resilience, buffering communities from extreme heat, improving air and water quality, and providing local food sources. This bond will be critical for helping prepare rural, vulnerable communities for a changing climate — in ways that benefit all Californians.”

Eamon O’Byrne, Executive Director, Sonoma Land Trust:

“As we work to address the causes of climate change, we must also prepare for the impact affecting people and nature right now. Significant state funding is badly needed to protect our lands and waters, build resiliency into critical infrastructure using nature-based systems, protect vulnerable communities, and support tested strategies for adapting to changing environmental conditions.”

Holly Binns, Pacific Region Director, U.S. Conservation Project, The Pew Charitable Trusts:

“The California climate bond is the product of a collaborative, thoughtful, and bold effort to protect the state’s residents and spectacular natural resources, with investments in disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations that will need more protection from floods, fires, extreme heat, and rising seas in the coming years. If approved, this bond will fund improvements to clean water, clean energy, and increase access to open spaces that benefit all Californians. The science and the economics clearly show that prompt climate investments will save Californians money and maximize the effectiveness of adaptation options intended to benefit people and nature. The Pew Charitable Trusts is proud to celebrate this proposed historic investment in California’s future.”

The proposed $10 billion climate bond would direct funds to the following priorities:

• $3.8 billion for drinking water and groundwater upgrades

• $1.5 billion for wildfire and forest programs

• $1.2 billion to address rising sea levels

• $450 million for extreme heat mitigation

• $1.2 billion for biodiversity protection and nature-based climate solution programs

• $300 million for climate-smart, sustainable, and resilient farms, ranches, and working lands

• $700 million for park creation and outdoor access programs

• $850 million for clean air programs.

Learn more about California’s climate risks and how a climate bond can help at caclimatebond.org.

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