[ [link removed]'s%20CEO%20%40MaryCreasman_%20pens%20op-ed%20on%20the%20%23PGEShutdown%20in%20CA%20and%20the%20visionary%20leadership%20needed%20in%20this%20moment%20to%20move%20forward%20via%20%40CalMatters%20 ][IMG]
CLCV Member,
I wanted to be sure you saw our recent op-ed in CalMatters about the real
story behind the PG&E power shutdowns. This is just a peek of what’s to
come, and we have a massive opportunity and duty to prepare for the future
by reimagining our society, rooted in justice, as we tackle this crisis.
I hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it, then share it with your
friends and family [ Share ]on Facebook and [ Share ]on Twitter!
Thank you for reading,
Mary Creasman
Chief Executive Officer
California League of Conservation Voters
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What didn’t get discussed when PG&E turned out the lights, and what must
change
By Mary Creasman, Special to CalMatters
Life as we know it quickly comes to a halt without electricity, as
hundreds of thousands of people learned when PG&E shut off power in the
October windstorm.
Schools and businesses closed, and people scrambled to make sure they had
supplies.
But as people tried to get by without power, something was missing from
many of the discussions: the role of climate change in the power shut off.
[ [link removed] ]Gov. Gavin Newsom went so far as to say: “The power shut-offs by PG&E
are not a story of climate change. It’s a story of greed and
mismanagement. Of recklessness and putting profits before people. It’s
outrageous and unacceptable.”
Now, I don’t disagree with the second half of his statement.
Gov. Newsom is absolutely right that PG&E has repeatedly prioritized
profits over people. Frankly, I’m not really surprised by this.
Corporations are always going to protect their bottom line. And the
governor isn’t the only one who has leaned into this narrative.
But here’s the thing. We’re missing the bigger picture about the climate
crisis. The PG&E power shut off is a story about the climate crisis and
corporate greed.
It is a story about how California is unprepared for the massive change we
need to make in order to cope with what’s happening.
PG&E is but one example of how the climate crisis is affecting our state.
Californians have already lost their homes to fire and mudslides. Cities
are contending with extreme heat and flooding.
Refugees are seeking refuge from across the border. These are all loud,
flashing warning signs that the effects of climate change have begun.
We are faced with something unprecedented. To deal with the climate
crisis, we are going to have to radically transform our economy, our
infrastructure, our housing, our way of life.
Everything.
While the scale of this problem can feel overwhelming, it should also be
viewed as an enormous opportunity. Our current economic structure was
built on extraction, pollution, and exploitation. It was built through
violence against nature and communities where mostly Black, Indigenous,
and other people of color live. We have a sweeping chance to change that.
We can change our economy, infrastructure, and land use to be rooted in
justice. We can create jobs that pay fair wages. We can have healthy
communities with clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. We can
reimagine our society in a better way while we tackle the climate crisis.
One cannot be done without the other.
But to make this happen, we need two things to take place:
* People need to demand action.
* Our government must step up with visionary leadership.
This is why we have government, to regulate and innovate and push for
change in the face of dire circumstances.
Researchers say we have until 2030 to figure out how to stop the most
catastrophic impacts to come. We need our elected officials to make
unprecedented change happen now.
What we need isn’t easy. It’s a bigger task than we’ve ever faced before.
No action can be too bold in this moment.
This isn’t about pointing fingers. Pointing fingers and outrage is easy,
and too prevalent. This is about coming together. Taking responsibility
for our current conditions and the role we can play is what’s needed. An
urgent and comprehensive vision is needed. Leadership is what is needed.
We’re missing the point if we just talk about how PG&E isn’t putting the
public good first, true though that is.
Instead, our political leaders should map out a vision for how we prepare
for our future, fight climate change, and right so many historic
injustices. That is the role of government in a crisis. ([ [link removed] ]see the story
on CalMatters here)
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We believe that radical change is necessary and only by transforming our political system will we create the opportunity to take bold action on climate change. We elect and cultivate environmental champions, turn election victories into policy wins, hold our lawmakers accountable, and build political power for change. We inspire hope and action and fight for equity and justice for all Californians. We are in the business of changing what’s possible.
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