On July 17, the Democratic party-controlled California legislature voted to extend the state’s trend-setting cap-and-trade program until the year 2030. The measure would reduce greenhouse gas emissions over time by allowing companies to “pay to pollute” if they can’t stay under the ever-tightening limits.
While this system has proven an effective way to reduce various pollutants, it also means that the communities closest to the polluting industries pay the biggest price, which has split the environmental community. The California cap-and-trade bill was initiated by the state’s Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, which drew support from some Republicans. Brown says he spoke with all stakeholders – including industry, unions, agriculture and progressive activists.
Between The Lines’ Melinda Tuhus spoke with Masada Disenhouse, the North American organizing director with the global climate group, 350.org, based in San Diego. Here, she talks about why her organization opposed the cap-and-trade legislation and her view that even though California is leading the nation in many ways in responding to climate change, there’s still much more that must be done.
For more information, visit climate change group 350.org at 350.org.
Related Links:
- “350.org on California Legislature Voting for Cap-and-Trade Extension,” Common Dreams, July 18, 2017
- “Environmentalists Stand Divided on California Cap-And-Trade,” Grist, July 18, 2017
- “California’s Cap-And-Trade Gets Mixed Review from Citizens Climate Lobby,” Red, Green and Blue, July 18, 2017
- “California Extends Climate Bill, Handing Gov. Jerry Brown a Victory,” New York Times, July 17, 2017
- “Calif. Cap-And-Trade Deal Hasn’t Wooed The Groups It Intended,” Capital Public Radio, July 12, 2017
- “California Challenges President Trump With Cap-and-Trade Law: ‘We Do Not Have to Wait for Washington’,” Time, July 25, 2017
- “California Lawmakers Approve Cap-And-Trade Extension,” Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2017
- “California Lawmakers Renew State’s Landmark Cap-And-Trade Program,” Huffington Post, July 16, 2017
- “Governor Jerry Brown Accuses Cap-And-Trade Bill Opponents of ‘political Terrorism’,” Central Valley, July 29, 2017
- “CA Oil Lobby Spending 2015-2016 Legislative Session,” American Lung Association, January 2017
- “Under-Radar Bill Focuses on Polluters in Poverty Areas,” San Francisco Chronicle, July 23, 2017
