Presente | Tell Senator Pavley and the state legislators: Amend SB 32 to reduce pollution in communities of color!
  1. Skip to navigation
  2. Skip to content
  3. Skip to sidebar

Tell Senator Pavley and the state legislators: Amend SB 32 to reduce pollution in communities of color!

Sign the Petition

    • Your personal comment: (optional)
    †OPT IN TO MOBILE MESSAGES FROM PRESENTE. MESSAGE AND DATA RATES MAY APPLY. REPLY STOP TO STOP. REPLY HELP FOR HELP. MESSAGE FREQUENCY VARIES. MESSAGES INCLUDE UPDATES AND NEWS ABOUT OUR WORK. PRIVACY POLICY: PRESENTE.ORG/PRIVACY MOBILE TERMS & CONDITIONS: PRESENTE.ORG/T&C

    The Message

    Senator Pavley and state legislators,

    I urge you to fix SB 32 to include equity provisions that prioritize a clear strategy to mitigate the decades long degradation that has plagued our communities as a result of polluters dirtying our air, water, and overall environment.

    As California develops the next generation of climate policies, it will chart a course for our families, businesses, and government agencies that will entail massive public investments and resources. We have an unprecedented opportunity to create a climate model that not only tackles the climate change crisis, but does so in a way that elevates our values of justice and fairness.

    In order for SB 32 to be truly successful, it needs to be amended to ensure that REAL pollution reductions occur in the communities most affected by climate change and pollution — poor neighborhoods and communities of color.

    Pope Francis was right in calling out the glaring limitations of Cap and Trade. While SB 32 sets out admirable goals to reduce greenhouse gas emission reductions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050, it leaves out communities of color. In its current form, SB 32, while providing critical overall climate benefits, requires central corrective measures to ensure the needs of the most vulnerable communities are addressed.

    In the coming weeks, the California legislature will vote on an unprecedented set of laws aimed at protecting our environment and fighting climate change. It's an important step — but unless the main bill, SB 32 is amended, there will still be wide loopholes for polluters to keep spewing greenhouse gases and pollutants in poor communities, Latino communities, and communities of color.

    The bill's sponsor, State Senator Fran Pavley, is clearly trying to do the right thing. But California's "cap and trade" system allows rich corporate polluters to buy their way out of emissions reductions. It's a reality that even Pope Francis has vociferously criticized. If our elected representatives hear from enough of us, we’ll make sure that they strengthen SB 32 and don’t leave behind working class communities and people of color. SB 32 must be amended to specifically protect our communities.

    At its best, SB 32 could be a historic opportunity to meet the challenge of climate change in a way that fully embodies the value of justice and fairness. If our elected representatives hear from enough of us, we’ll make sure that they strengthen SB 32 and don’t leave behind working class communities and people of color.

    Back to Top