Friend,

Last week, California faced its 11th atmospheric river storm and third emergency declaration for climate impacts in 2023. 

As historic storms and flooding continue to pummel California, it's clear our state needs to invest in green infrastructure to filter and absorb storm water where it falls. Our existing gray infrastructure — gutters, pipes, and tunnels that move storm water away from where we live and toward bodies of water — simply do not have the capacity to manage this water.

Permeable paving, green roofs, and rain gardens could change our state’s water management for the better.

Historically, climate investment like green infrastructure has not been a core funding priority in the state budget … until last year.

We must protect last year’s climate funding — including restoring $6 billion in proposed cuts — and in fact build on it so we can move away from natural disaster response and towards prevention. 

Please sign our petition to let our elected officials know we need them to increase climate funding in the face of extreme weather disasters.

Friend, last year’s budget surplus allowed the state to invest in its Rainy Day Fund — for moments exactly like this one. California is literally facing its rainiest of days.

With our most vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of our climate challenge, we can't be short-sighted in this moment of economic downturn.

Investing in green infrastructure will prevent lives, homes, and livelihoods from being lost. But we need the funding for implementation.

Last January, $6 billion were slashed from California’s climate budget, but that was just the kickoff of a six-month negotiation. This May, our state leadership will have the opportunity to not just restore cuts but increase funding. Will you call on our leadership to prove climate is a priority when they revise the state budget proposal in May?

As storms get heavier, gray infrastructure does not have the necessary capacity to manage water, causing deadly floods and carrying pollutants through our waterways. Natural disaster protection must be a priority and green infrastructure will provide communities with clean water and flood protection. 

Thanks for being part of this critical movement. 

California Environmental Voters (formerly CLCV)
350 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 1100
Oakland, CA 94612
United States
+15102710900 |  [email protected]

EnviroVoters is hiring! Join us to work on critical climate legislation work.

California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), formerly California League of Conservation Voters, 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.

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