The Green-Collar Jobs Campaign works with cross-sector coalitions to
advocate for policy solutions that lead to the creation of
high-quality, green-collar jobs, as well as training and education
pathways that ensure equal access for low-income people, communities of
color and women.
2010: The Fight for California’s Green Future
Every year, the stakes get higher in the fight against global warming -- and in the fight against inequality and poverty. This year is no exception. We will see this fight play out on the statewide election ballot in November 2010.
Conservative idealogues, backed by big business and big oil, are introducing a ballot initiative that would cripple, and probably kill, California’s global warming solutions plan. This initiative poses up a false choice between “environment” and “economy.” The Ella Baker Center is mounting a campaign to defeat this conservative ballot initiative, and to remind voters that the way forward for California is “economy PLUS environment.” Stay tuned for details as the campaign develops!
Background on California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32)
AB 32 (Assembly Bill 32) is California's "Global Warming Solutions Act," a landmark bill passed and signed in 2006. It says the state will reduce its greenhouse gas pollution to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Overall, this will be a 25% reduction from business-as-usual. California was the first state in the nation to make a plan to fight climate change and shift to a low-carbon economy.
AB 32 is "bedrock" policy. Any hopes for California to grow a strong green economy, create green jobs, and directly address the climate crisis are dependent on AB 32 implementation.
AB 32 Would Make Problem-Makers Pay for Solutions
AB 32 has the potential to supercharge California's green economy and improve public health by reducing air pollution.
AB 32, if implemented well, would "make polluters pay" into a Carbon Trust Fund. This fund, which could amount to billions of dollars per year for several years, could be used to:
- Create jobs by investing in green industries;
- Bring down the cost of clean energy by investing in clean tech research and development;
- Provide job pathways for unemployed and dislocated workers by investing in workforce development;
- Create a "Community Benefits Fund" to provide benefits and protections for California’s most disadvantaged communities.
Big business and big oil are opposed to AB 32 -- they do not want to pay into the Carbon Trust Fund, and they are doing everything they can to weaken and stop the implementation of AB 32. California is on the nation’s front line for climate policy solutions. If California’s climate plan is pushed back, it will be a major national -- and international -- setback. On the other hand, if we succeed in “making polluters pay” in California, it will embolden our allies in Washington DC and around the globe.
The Road Beyond 2010: Advocacy for Strong and Equitable AB 32 Implementation
Assuming we defeat the Big Oil ballot initiative, the state government will over the next two years make key decisions about how to implement AB 32.
Currently AB 32 is still in the planning phase. Implementation of AB 32 is set to begin in 2012 – the first year when greenhouse gas emissions are supposed to come down.
Our campaign is working to guarantee a real investment be made in workforce education and training, particularly for low-income communities. In addition, we want to see that these same communities not suffer from any potential disproportionate impacts created by any market mechanism.
Under AB 32, the California Air Resource Board is in charge of determining the best way to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals. In December 2008, with the input from a variety of sources, the Board adopted its Proposed Scoping Plan. This plan lays out in detail the steps that California will take to reach AB 32's goals.
In the Proposed Scoping Plan the Board is suggesting a variety of direct regulations in combination with a cap-and-trade program to meet AB 32's goals. We are very supportive of the direct regulations that the board is considering, and feel these will be a great way to work towards our greenhouse gas reduction goals. However, the cap-and-trade program being proposed has many potential drawbacks that we feel need to be addressed, and are dedicated to changing. Under the cap-and-trade program, we believe that:
- Carbon offsets to pay for projects out-of-state should not count toward California's greenhouse emissions reduction goals. Such projects will create new burdens to communities that are already disproportionately impacted by pollution, and undermine the potential benefits to California of moving toward a clean energy, low-carbon economy.
- All carbon emissions allowances need to be auctioned, and at price that truly reflects their full social costs. This will ensure that polluters are paying, and that the necessary revenues are being raised.
- Sufficient funding should be directed towards green workforce education and training. This is crucial in achieving AB 32’s goals and meeting our new workforce needs. Such workforce education and training should include dedicated funding for people from low-income, disadvantaged communities.
- Low- and middle-income residents must be compensated for any increase in energy, food, or transportation costs, in order to make sure these communities are not adversely impacted.
The Green-Collar Jobs Campaign is dedicated to ensuring that AB 32 not only achieves its greenhouse gas emission reductions, but also use this opportunity to invest in our workforce and create pathways out of poverty. In order to reduce our pollution in a truly sustainable way, low-income communities and people of color must be part of the solution and not disproportionately impacted.
Click here to learn more about legislation we supported in the 2009 California legislative session.
