2023 was quite a year. EnviroVoters passed world-changing legislation and led a candidate trainings in battleground regions, while our Ed Fund resourced young leaders, launched accelerator events, and hosted the California delegation at the COP 28 conference in Dubai. These moments are all steps towards solving the climate crisis, building resilient, connected, healthy communities, and creating a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.
And it was all possible thanks to the support from our members and activist communities across California.
Let's review the top moments of 2023 together:
California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters):
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1) Passed the Biggest Climate Policy in the Nation: After a 3-year fight, EnviroVoters’ sponsored bill, the Climate Corporate Leadership and Accountability Act (SB 253), passed into law, along with the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act (SB 261). SB 253 requires U.S.-based companies with revenues over $1 billion who do business in California to publicly disclose their direct and indirect pollution. This is a massive victory with our partners and champions, with a recent study finding that mandatory emissions disclosures could result in a whopping 70% reduction in total corporate pollution.
2) Won Over a Dozen Policies Advancing Climate Action and Justice: SB 337 will codify the conservation of 30% of California’s land and coastal waters by 2030; AB 3 will require California to strategize for offshore wind energy development; AB 126 will modernize and fund clean transportation programs; AB 1167 will require oil well owners to fund the clean-up of oil wells; and SB 389 will help prevent disproportionate usage of water. In addition to passing this slate of important environmental legislation, EnviroVoters defended climate in the state budget against major cut proposals.
3) Reformed California’s Ballot Initiative Process: This past year, Big Oil took advantage of California’s referendum process, dropping $20 million on a signature-gathering campaign to sow confusion for California voters. Their goal? Overturn a law that mandates minimum distances between active oil drilling and schools and hospitals. To counteract that, EnviroVoters passed AB 421, which changes the confusing “yes/no” vote for referendums to a clearer “keep the law/ overturn the law” and requires disclosure of top contributors on petitions to overturn laws, so that it’s clear who is bankrolling the effort. This law helps put the power back in voters’ hands.
4) Vetted the Next Slate of Climate Leaders: In preparation for the critical elections in 2024, EnviroVoters has already vetted and endorsed over 95 candidates running for office. Each candidate who receives the organization’s endorsement has been interviewed, made commitments to realizing the goals of the climate justice movement, and is reviewed and voted upon by a committee of leaders and experts. These are the leaders we know will be environmental champions for years to come. Primary Ballots drop February 5 and voting ends March 5.
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5) Trained the Next Generation of Environmental Candidates: This summer, EnviroVoters held the Clean Energy Leadership Academy, a candidate training course for aspiring public officials fighting to solve the climate crisis. Attendees learned from experts in the fields of fundraising, policy, and organizing, and how to run as a climate justice champion. They also learned from current elected climate champions who are proposing bold solutions to the climate crisis. This training will prepare the next generation of climate champions to enter public office and fight for climate policy that is rooted in justice for communities most affected by the climate crisis.
6) Secured Transformative Zero-emission Vehicle Rules With World-wide Impacts: EnviroVoters organized the public, community-based and environmental organizations, and legislators to pressure the EPA, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the state legislature to pass monumental rules for zero-emission vehicles, resulting in the approval of Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) and Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF). These programs accelerate the production and statewide use of zero-emission trucks and buses in California, which is critical to ensuring that air quality improves in disadvantaged communities most impacted by pollution from the trucking industry.
7) Created Give Green California: In advance of next year’s critically important elections, the Elect Climate Champions Fund sponsored by EnviroVoters is developing Give Green California. Our new website, set to launch very soon, makes it easy to give to the candidates and races that will make the biggest impact for a climate just future, with our own recommended slates of candidates between whom you can divide contributions. Stay tuned for the official launch in January!
California Environmental Voters Education Fund (EnviroVoters Ed Fund)**
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8) Connected Communities to Climate Funding: EnviroVoters Ed Fund held its first Climate Implementation Accelerator event in the Central Valley, which connects local governments and community-based organizations with the technical assistance they need to competitively apply for new state and federal funding opportunities made available by legislation like the federal Inflation Reduction Act and state climate budget investments. The Climate Implementation Convenings are essential to ensure success, speed, and equity in the implementation of these historic federal and state climate resources.
9) Resourced Youth in the Central Valley and Inland Empire to Fight for Clean Air and Water: Our Ed Fund’s Ambassadors Program launched the WE CAN: Water Equity and Clean Air Now campaign. This campaign intends to bring justice to communities tackling the severe inequities surrounding water equity and clean air in the Central Valley and Inland Empire by putting youth at the forefront of the fight, with the ultimate goal of establishing a youth-led local climate board in both regions. They organized over 20 classroom presentations, held 4 Townhalls, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to ensure youth voices are heard in local government.
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10) Hosted California’s Delegation at COP 28: Named as an official non-governmental observer for this year’s United Nations’ Conference of the Parties (COP) in Dubai, EnviroVoters Ed Fund helped bring Attorney General Rob Bonta and 12 state legislators to hold events to export our progress in California, learn from other countries, and make ongoing connections with climate leaders around the world. This year's conference was hosted by an oil executive, so it was especially critical that EnviroVoters Ed Fund and the California delegation continued to be the voice for aggressive climate accountability on the global stage.
Mary Creasman
Chief Executive Officer
California Environmental Voters
California Environmental Voters Education Fund
California Environmental Voters & California Environmental Voters Education Fund
1111 Broadway, Suite 300
Oakland, CA 94607
United States
+15102710900 |
[email protected]
EnviroVoters is hiring! Join us to work on critical climate legislation work. [[link removed]?]
California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. To protect our air, land, water, and future, we organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. Our vision is to solve the climate crisis, build resilient, connected, healthy communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.
*California Environmental Voters is a 501(c)(4) organization. Contributions or gifts to EnviroVoters are not tax-deductible as a charitable donation for federal income tax purposes. EnviroVoters’ Tax ID number is 94-3169564
California Environmental Voters Education Fund (EnviroVoters Ed Fund), exists to build power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. To protect our air, land, water, and future, we educate the public and lawmakers on bold policy change. Our vision is to solve the climate crisis, build resilient, connected, healthy communities, and create a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all.
**California Environmental Voters Education Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization, and our Tax ID number is 94-3232552. All contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. California Environmental Voters Education Fund does not participate in candidate endorsements.
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