During Climate Week, over 320 elected officials demand action against fires, droughts and heatwaves with acceleration of clean energy economy
SPEAKERS:
HOST: Christian C. Brock, Elected Official to Protect America CEO, Air Force Veteran
- County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez, Ventura County
- Councilmember Paul Koretz, Los Angeles
- Councilmember Devin Murphy, Pinole City, CA & Director of MCE Clean Energy Board
- Councilmember Jose Sigala, Tulare City
- Andrew Lewis, North Westwood Neighborhood Council
- Margo Robbins, Executive Director, Cultural Fire Management Council
- Former Mayor Heidi Harmon, San Luis Obispo
WHEN: September 23, 2021, at 10 a.m - 11 a.m. Pacific Time
WHERE: Virtual Press Conference: https://protectingamerica-net.zoom.us/j/85845253367
BACKGROUND: Code Red California is a wakeup call for Governor Gavin Newsom to take immediate action to abate the effects of the climate crisis which would directly save lives and livelihoods.
According to the US Drought Monitor, 90 percent of the state is mired in the “extreme drought” category, which has heightened conditions for fires to spread easily. The fires this year have already put the state on track to outpace that of 2020, the worst on record.
With Gov. Newsom’s position secure, elected officials across the state who supported him say that this is the critical time for a bold course of action to mitigate the apocalyptic fires and drought fueled by human caused climate crises.
During this Climate Week press conference, they will ask Gov. Newsom to declare a climate emergency, thereby following the science in the recent United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which spurred UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to say, “This is a Code Red for humanity.” The climate crisis is a major topic on this week’s U.N. General Assembly meeting agenda in New York.
“California continues to be one of the largest producers of oil and gas in America,” said Firebaugh City Councilmember Felipe Perez, EOPA California Leadership Council. “As long as the state produces the fuel of the climate crisis, we cannot seriously claim to be decarbonizing the economy — for the Californian economy is intertwined in the global economy. We must stop fueling the flames of climate change caused by the oil and gas industry. As long as the governor issues drilling permits, lets fracking continue, and allows refineries to operate we are part of the problem. We need to show the way and be a part of the solution.”
“We'll never forget the devastating Thomas fire that burned 281,000 acres. Then our region suffered the debris flow which killed so many in Santa Barbara County, when the rains came, and then the Woolsey fire, which destroyed more acres…. Now every year we fear the worst but pray for the best. Fire season is now all year long! We need real climate action. Fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure expansions have fueled the droughts, fires and intense heat waves that have wreaked havoc destroying the homes and livelihoods of thousands and tragically have taken a life. The governor has the power to turn the tide with immediate plans to phase out oil and gas and invest in clean, renewable energy—if he declares a climate emergency,” said Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez, EOPA California Leadership Council. “California should live up to its reputation as a climate leader. Governor Newsom must declare a climate emergency. This is our code red.”
Stories of how the climate crisis has impacted communities across the state will be told, along with local solutions that lawmakers have been able to implement. However, those solutions fall short of the action that could and should be taken by state government to abate the increasingly dangerous results of extreme weather induced by human-caused climate change. For statewide change Gov. Newsom needs to take action. While Newsom has taken small steps to phase out fracking, it’s too little too late. The crisis is roaring ahead.
"Serving my community is an honor, but I never imagined having to warn people to be cautious about breathing. Even here fire smoke has invaded, putting people at risk. We've had so many threats over the past years, from heat waves to the drought and the fires. All because we have not lived up to our reputation as an environmental state. We can't say we're combating the climate crisis when we allow oil and gas industries to operate without safety restrictions, like setbacks from drills. We need the governor to wake up to the dangers we have in our backyards and take real action,” said Andrew Lewis, Vice President North Westwood Neighborhood Council.
Over 320 EOPA California elected officials from every corner of the state have already sent a letter to the governor identifying major steps he could take to mitigate the health risks that have led to premature deaths because of toxins and pollutants associated with fossil fuel extraction and processing. EOPA California then met with Secretary Crowfoot from the governor’s office, while waiting for a meeting with the governor. After numerous communiques, on September 4th EOPA California asked the governor to declare a climate emergency. His office has yet to respond.
“Over 320 elected officials should never be overlooked by their governor. Our letter showed a clear path for his administration to mitigate this emergency and save lives. In our letter, we requested he stop new fossil fuel permits, phase out fossil fuels immediately and institute 2,500-foot buffers between drill operations and community sites, while ensuring a just transition for workers,” said Nicole Twohig-Chamberlain, EOPA Development and California State Director. “It’s time to follow the guidance of scientists and end oil and gas drilling. It’s time to put people before corporate profits. He must declare a climate emergency.”
"With our LA100 pathway to 100 percent renewable energy, Los Angeles is doing its part to prove true the promise those of us in the state legislature in 2006 made with AB-32, the Global Warming Solutions Act," said Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz, EOPA California Leadership Council. "But we must do so much more, and quickly. We know how out of control the wildfires are up north. Here in Southern California, the Skirball Fire nearly burned down Bel Air, Woolsey burned much of Malibu and Agoura Hills, and Thomas blazed through both Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. We must declare Climate Code Red for California and mobilize all sectors toward a carbon neutral 2030 to do not only what's possible, but to do what's necessary to eliminate our climate emissions and make the impossible possible. The children who will be our ambassadors to 2100 have now been born. Let us look back with their eyes and ask again, every single day, if we are doing enough."
"Walking in our parks I'm gratified seeing families enjoying nature. But as more fire smoke invades, the less healthy it becomes to even be outside. As the MCE Clean Energy Board Director, I know we're working hard to ensure our city is as energy efficient as it can possibly be. It's good for everyone's health, as well as the planet's and all our futures. It flummoxes me that elected officials in our Sacramento Capitol can't do the same. That's why Governor Newsom must take independent action and declare a climate emergency. The world is in a Code Red. We can take immediate actions that will abate this crisis. It's time for bold actions that will create thousands of union jobs and help transition workers from occupations in the oil and gas industries that are making the crisis worse,” said Councilmember Devin Murphy, Pinole City, CA & Director of MCE Clean Energy Board.
“The IPCC report should be one of the most powerful wakeup calls we have ever received. Our rapidly changing climate is making it clear every day — with historic wildfires, floods, droughts, and extreme storms — that we are running out of time. So, when I got a text in the middle of the night from Emet, one of my children who had just read the IPCC report, saying, “I’m really scared, is this the apocalypse?,” it was the wake-up call I needed to realize, while I had done a lot as small-town mayor; it was time to recommit and reprioritize my life for our climate and our children’s future. Now I’m asking Governor Newsom to heed this wake-up call and declare a climate emergency code red, so immediate actions can be taken,” said Heidi Harmon, Senior Public Affairs Director of the Romero Institute’s Let’s Green CA Program & former Mayor San Luis Obispo.
Nationally, a EOPA letter with nearly 300 lawmakers who support climate emergency action was released on September 14, to show the wide ranging support from bipartisan elected officials that want immediate action.
About Elected Officials to Protect America: Elected Officials to Protect America is a network of current and former elected officials who care deeply about protecting our planet and people. EOPA is committed to solving the climate crisis, ensuring environmental justice, and protecting our lands and waters.We educate through value-based storytelling, training lawmakers, and connecting elected officials to inspire strong environmental leadership.
Contact: Ramona du Houx,
Communications Director
Elected Officials to Protect America
Cell: 207.319.4727
ramona@protectingamerica.net
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