Groundswell: CLCV Blog

Join us on November 13th for the Badass Women in Green Awards

Mary — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:43:55 +0000

Please join us on Wednesday, November 13th, from 6:00-9:00PM, for a night of hope and inspiration honoring women who are using their voice, platforms, and creativity to create a better future for us for all.

We look forward to spending the night in San Francisco celebrating women across age and ethnicity who are using their platforms to organize for climate action.

We’ve partnered up with chef, author, food activist, and restaurateur Alice Waters to inspire a sustainable menu – we hope to see you there!

Take action today to protect California's wildlife, water, and land

Devin — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:01:50 +0000

A message from CA Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins.

Last week, the Trump Administration announced plans to severely weaken the Endangered Species Act – the law credited with saving the bald eagle and countless other plants and animals from extinction. The hits from D.C. just keep coming – this is only the latest of the more than 80 environmental rules being rolled back by the current administration.

Commemorate Labor Day by taking action to support the Green New Deal

Mary — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 18:16:31 +0000

Labor Day is not just about honoring the movement that has lifted so many families out of poverty, it is an important moment to recommit ourselves to advancing the values of the labor movement: ensuring safe, good jobs with benefits and representation for everyone.

These values are personal for me. As someone who started my career as a union organizer, I believe deeply in the irreplaceable role the labor movement plays to secure our middle class. These values are part of what brought me to the environmental movement.

The next steps for our efforts in Sacramento and D.C.

Mary — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 23:43:28 +0000

With lawmakers at the state and federal level returning back to work from the summer recess, we’re at a make-or-break moment for policy action this year. And with science telling us our climate crisis will worsen exponentially by 2030 if we don’t act now, we need your help.

We have the solutions to combat our climate crisis. What we need is the power and political will to create the laws to implement them.

ACA 8 makes its way through the Assembly, but we need you now in the final stretch.

Melissa — Tue, 20 Aug 2019 17:07:31 +0000

Great news!

Last week, over 50 youth activists from all over the state joined us to rally at the State Capitol and met with lawmakers to urge them support Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 8. Thank you for joining our efforts and raising your voice to tell the Legislature to lower the voting age.

If you haven’t contacted your legislator, it’s not too late to make your voice heard:

SD33 Special Election: Congratulations, Senator-elect Lena Gonzalez!

Mary — Wed, 05 Jun 2019 18:46:35 +0000

With just 12 years left to prevent catastrophic climate impacts, it’s critical that Californians elect leaders who can be an asset to our state’s global leadership.

And last night, voters in Senate District 33 did just that, overwhelmingly electing Lena Gonzalez with 69% of the vote!

Lena has a proven track record of audacious action, and of putting her community first — in fact, it’s why we endorsed her.

This Earth Day -- A Powerful Message from AOC on the Green New Deal

andy — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 18:31:25 +0000

Some days it feels like the best thing we can accomplish is nothing at all.

With a climate denier in White House and a coal lobbyist running the EPA, simply resisting their attacks is a full-time engagement.

As we celebrate Earth Day facing an urgent climate crisis and a federal government that refuses to act, it’s hard not to feel hopeless.

California can become a global leader in addressing our plastic pollution crisis with this fix.

Melissa — Fri, 19 Apr 2019 18:25:27 +0000

Annual global production of plastics now totals approximately 335 million tons and is only rising, and sadly, Californians only recycle 15% of single-use plastic.

California has an incredible opportunity to be a global leader again on addressing our plastic pollution crisis.

A coal lobbyist was just confirmed as Interior Secretary. Here’s what’s at stake for California.

Devin — Thu, 11 Apr 2019 21:59:24 +0000

Corrupt fossil fuel lobbyist David Bernhardt has been confirmed by the Senate.

You read that right.

The GOP-controlled Senate just confirmed fossil fuel lobbyist David Bernhardt to lead the U.S. Interior Department.

Since serving in the Interior Department, Bernhardt has:

Urge the Senate: Reject David Bernhard's nomination as Interior Secretary

Devin — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 20:24:01 +0000

Since serving as Acting Interior Secretary, David Bernhardt lobbied hard for the environmentally destructive Cadiz Water Project and Shasta Dam Project in California, despite resistance from our state leaders.

He’s unfit to lead the Interior Department, and the Senate should reject his nomination for Interior Secretary.

Calling David Bernhardt ‘scandalous’ would be an understatement.

Support the Safe Drinking Water Act #SafeWaterforAll

Melissa — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 18:43:48 +0000

In January, Governor Gavin Newsom gave his first State of the State speech and one of the most appalling statistics stuck out: nearly 1 million people in California lack access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water.

What's more, roughly 300 California public water systems serving communities and schools are currently out of compliance with drinking water standards.

This is a crisis, and we can take action today to fix it. Water is a human right.

Stop the Trump administration's derailment of our environmental protections

Melissa — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 23:46:36 +0000

While the Trump administration is focused on rolling back environmental protections, California lawmakers are leading the resistance with a bill that would provide legal protections for our progress.

Managing CLCV’s legislative program here in Sacramento gives me a first-hand seat to see just how important these efforts are.

Tell Acting Interior Secretary Bernardt: Protect Gray Wolves from Extinction

andy — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 22:38:01 +0000

With over 300 endangered species in California alone, it’s vital that we protect our state’s most vulnerable animals and plants and take action now.

Voting rights matter: Urge Congress to support the For the People Act

Mike Young — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 20:57:54 +0000

The House could make history this week by passing historic protections that we haven’t seen since the passage of the Voting Rights Act.

The For The People Act (HR 1) makes participating in democracy easier by lowering barriers for frontline communities impacted most by the climate chaos of our time.

This crucial package of reforms would:

→ Make Election Day a federal holiday
→ Implement automatic and same-day voter registration

On the Record: An Interview with Black Women for Wellness' Nourbese Flint

Devin — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 23:32:54 +0000

Nourbese Flint, Policy Director of Black Women for Wellness, speaks about the Green New Deal, the power of Sci-Fi, and why Black History and Women’s History matters for the environmental movement.

How We Can Pass the Green New Deal

Mary — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 22:06:11 +0000

The Green New Deal represents a transformative opportunity for California and the nation.

The excitement generated from Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s vision is resonating throughout our politics. Activists, voters, and even presidential candidates -- like Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, who recently declared their support for the Green New Deal -- are taking note.

The current Green New Deal resolution:

CLCV Commemorates Black History Month

Devin — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 20:07:26 +0000

A few weeks ago, I proudly joined the California League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) because I fundamentally believe economic, racial, and social justice are inextricably tied to climate justice. Tackling climate justice while centering marginalized voices, especially Black people, to the forefront of the movement serves as a huge opportunity to bring proven solutions to addressing the root problems of our society.

This month, CLCV proudly commemorates Black History Month.

50 years after Santa Barbara disaster, it's time to end oil drilling

Mary — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 17:53:58 +0000

This past week marks the 50th anniversary of the disasterous 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill. Our CEO Mary Creasman penned an op-ed in Sunday's Sacramento Bee calling our elected leaders into action to end oil drilling and prove we've learned our lesson from this tragic event:

CLCV blasts Trump shutdown giveaway to Big Oil in scathing op-ed

Devin — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 00:49:29 +0000

On Sunday, January 27th,The Mercury News published our CEO Mary Creasman's analysis regarding the Trump administration and Big Oil's alarming advancement of their offshore drilling plan during the government shutdown:

"Hundreds of thousands of federal workers were forced to go without paychecks while the bills piled up. (How long could you go without a paycheck?) Our national parks suffered what could be permanent damage. Public health protections and safeguards against pollution were put on hold.

Sustain our movement. Renew your membership today.

Mary — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 23:12:33 +0000

The #TrumpShutdown is the latest attempt to force construction of an unjust and environmentally damaging border wall. 2019 is going to be pivotal year in the resistance.

With new congressional leadership from California in Washington D.C. and increased attacks on our future, we need your help to get ready.

Renew your membership with CLCV today for $5 or more and help us fight back »

Andrew Wheeler is unfit to lead the EPA.

Mary — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:54:23 +0000

Former coal lobbyist Andrew Wheeler is Trump's latest nominee to lead the Environment Protection Agency. Wheeler has spent his entire career working against our environment.

During Wednesday’s hearing, he told a Senate committee that he’d strike a deal to roll back California’s fuel-economy standards and environmental protections. We can only imagine how much more damage he will do if he’s confirmed by the Senate this week.

Your end year-contribution gives us the resources we need to win!

Mary — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 22:49:45 +0000

Just days after the United Nations released its most dire climate report yet -- warning that we have just 12 years left to act to avoid climate change catastrophes -- the Trump Administration traveled to the Climate Change Conference in Poland to pitch the virtues of COAL!

Trump just made it perfectly clear that he will bury his head in the sand and deny science at all costs.

This Giving Tuesday help CLCV support fire victims

Mary — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 19:11:08 +0000

Giving Tuesday is a time when non-profits of all types reach out for much needed year-end support. But this Giving Tuesday, California League of Conservation Voters' team is asking you to join us in supporting organizations helping wildfire victims recover.

I couldn't have won without CLCV.

andy — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 22:59:40 +0000

As I write this note, I’m about to head to the airport to board a cross country flight for Washington, DC as California’s newest member of Congress. And I couldn’t have done it without you!

Back before the June primary, California League of Conservation Voters was the very first environmental organization to give me their endorsement. Your early support sent a powerful message to the political and environmental communities about the viability of my campaign and helped me build crucial early momentum in a crowded field.

What last night's election means for California

Mary — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 23:59:10 +0000

What a night.

Democrats took back control of the House, Florida enacted a constitutional amendment banning offshore oil drilling, and California voters defeated efforts to gut our public transportation funding!

Though many races remain too close to call, the message from last night’s election is clear: Every voter matters. At this moment, the closest contest in the state has just THREE votes separating the candidates. And nearly half a dozen congressional, statewide, and local contests are still within 1 percentage point.