State Budget Must Shift California from Disaster Response to Prevention through Robust Climate Action

“Ongoing wildfires in Southern California are a sobering reminder of the extent that climate change threatens our communities, health, and economy. Californians voted to shift from disaster response to prevention by passing Proposition 4 last November, providing additional resources to invest in proven solutions. This election outcome gives state leaders a mandate for robust climate action, which includes putting Proposition 4 bond funds to work, passing a strong climate budget, and extending California’s landmark Cap-and-Trade program to build a clean energy economy in the most affordable and equitable way.

“We look forward to working with state leaders to ensure these efforts provide for real reductions in emissions contributing to climate change, and provide for ongoing investments in meaningful climate action, including zero-emission transportation, healthy forests, and repurposing land to build our resilience to emerging climate threats.”

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