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Recent budget cuts highlight need to lock in bond funding to protect natural resources, address wildfires, and ensure water and air quality
San Francisco, Calif. (February 27, 2024) — Save the Redwoods League joined a chorus of conservation groups today in calling for the California State Legislature to place a $15 billion climate bond on the November 2024 ballot. Such a bond would fund programs that improve and protect water and air quality, strengthen community climate resilience, mitigate wildfires, provide recreational access to the outdoors and protect natural resources.
Two versions of such a bond have been languishing in the State Assembly and State Senate since last year, even as the effects of climate change continue to be felt across the state. This appeal follows the release of Governor Newsom’s draft budget, which would cut $2.9 billion in climate-related funding and delay spending nearly $2 billion more.
“California has always led the world on addressing the threat of climate change, and now is not the time to be stepping back,” said Sam Hodder, the League’s president and CEO. “Time and time again, our state’s residents have said that they support these programs that tackle climate head-on. We should give them a chance to express that at the ballot box in November.”
Two $15 billion climate bond proposals, Assembly Bill 1567 (Garcia) and Senate Bill 867 (Allen), have been stalled in the Legislature since last year. California lawmakers have until the end of June to settle on language and get a finalized proposal on the governor’s desk if they want their bond to make the November 2024 election.
Hodder noted that reaching the state’s 30×30 goals for land protection and climate resilience might be threatened without this critical funding.
“We need to see some momentum on a climate bond now,” added Hodder. “Climate change isn’t waiting for better budget scenarios, and a climate bond will directly and immediately improve our resilience. This investment will more than pay for itself by minimizing the impacts and losses of future climate-driven events.”
One of the nation’s longest-running conservation organizations, Save the Redwoods League has been protecting and restoring redwood forests since 1918. The League has connected generations of visitors with the beauty and serenity of the redwood forests. Our 400,000 supporters have enabled the League to protect more than 220,000 acres of irreplaceable forests in 66 state, national, and local parks and reserves. For information, please visit SaveTheRedwoods.org.
Tags: 2024, climate bond, environmental legislation, Press Release, statements, voters
