Very informative. I especially appreciate your exposing the hollowness of Scott Pruitt's purported deference to the states in taking over environmental regulation as his Federal agency backs away from it. The old joke is, if the states are the answer, then what can be the question? So let California lead.
9
California should just build high rise housings and more reliable infrastructure around places with good jobs if they want more people to live there and support their ambitious climate goals. Right now even if the emission levels are better than the past, California roads are crowded and people still don't carpool enough. It's already too expensive to live there so not everyone can live there that would be inspired by their ambitions. The economy will grow as long as population is growing, but if it gets too expensive (and hot) to live there, people will be moving away. I would love to live there but I doubt I can afford to move there with my family.
As recently as the early 1970s, my home state of California routinely featured smog in different colored layers. In the mid-1970s a fairly clear day in the Los Angeles Basin was about four miles of visibility, and every winter, Sacramento "enjoyed" a miasma of smoke from agricultural stubble burning. I for one absolutely do not want to go back to the "good old days" wished by That Man In the White House, that oil-company shill at the EPA, or those skunks at the "Business Round Table." All of them suffer from an immense lack of imagination and foresight, and can't see any further than "OMG, gas will cost a nickle more a gallon." and "I can't just dump my waste chemicals down the sink anymore."
10
“Erasing climate change may take place in Donald Trump’s mind, but nowhere else,” Mr. Brown said.
And with the miniscule size of mr. trumps' mind, that equates to less than nothing!
And with the miniscule size of mr. trumps' mind, that equates to less than nothing!
3
I live in Mexico now. California has a lot of issues, mostly due to population growth, but it is the state I will live in upon my return to the US.
California just "gets it" on so many levels. To my mind, it is a pro-people state. ALL people...
California just "gets it" on so many levels. To my mind, it is a pro-people state. ALL people...
8
I look back on my California years, 1981-1993 with great fondness. The creativity and energy of its people are palpable.
As Bill Maher (another California blessing!) said, "If states are the laboratories of democracy, we win. Your mice are dead."
Thirty nine million people, yikes! Almost double the 21 million when I arrived.
As Bill Maher (another California blessing!) said, "If states are the laboratories of democracy, we win. Your mice are dead."
Thirty nine million people, yikes! Almost double the 21 million when I arrived.
3
Each time I visit California, the state where I grew up and went to school, I'm reminded of how much the air in the southern third of the state has improved. Simultaneously, however, I'm reminded of how narrowly we define environmentally progressive programs and accomplishments.
For every technological advance that reduces visible pollution and carbon emissions per car, more people and more cars are added to the morass that constitutes the California transportation system. In the 50 years during which I have observed the situation, I have seen little improvement in the public transportation systems required to remedy this situation, and less and less discussion of population as a prime factor.
Where are the trains and trams that could efficiently take millions of beachgoers to the coast, for example. While there are now some trains that can take commuters into LA from places such as Riverside, they are few and far between, and not supported by another distributive system for passengers after they reach a central station. Where are the numerous and efficient commuter train systems and surface trams? For decades a train system has been proposed to bring commuters from Marin County into San Francisco from the north, and yet such a system doesn't exist to my knowledge; BART has changed very little since its incept in the 1970s.
While I applaud California for its attitude and those accomplishments that have been realized, they have a long way to go.
For every technological advance that reduces visible pollution and carbon emissions per car, more people and more cars are added to the morass that constitutes the California transportation system. In the 50 years during which I have observed the situation, I have seen little improvement in the public transportation systems required to remedy this situation, and less and less discussion of population as a prime factor.
Where are the trains and trams that could efficiently take millions of beachgoers to the coast, for example. While there are now some trains that can take commuters into LA from places such as Riverside, they are few and far between, and not supported by another distributive system for passengers after they reach a central station. Where are the numerous and efficient commuter train systems and surface trams? For decades a train system has been proposed to bring commuters from Marin County into San Francisco from the north, and yet such a system doesn't exist to my knowledge; BART has changed very little since its incept in the 1970s.
While I applaud California for its attitude and those accomplishments that have been realized, they have a long way to go.
30
To VKG: the SMART train going from Santa Rosa to San Rafael is due to begin service soon. It eventually will service the area from Cloverdale to Larkspur, where it will end nearby a rebuilt ferry service to take people across the bay to SF. So much for being well informed. And, adjacent to much of the route are walking and biking trails that will be some of the largest/longest in the state.
3
All the states that care about climate change should pool their resources and work together. Let's do our own universal healthcare too. Kudos to Jerry Brown. May he inspire other governors to do the same. CA is an example of a thriving economy built on clean energy and progressive initiatives. If the red state governors were smart, they'd learn from CA's example instead of doubling down on more failure and more pollution.
11
Pruitt's (and his boss's) hypocrisy knows no bounds. On healthcare reforms and number of other issues they want to divest federal authorities in favor of states. However, when California charts its own path for better future, they want to take the state to court.
Go figure.
Go figure.
10
California is indeed to be congratulated for its efforts to control the release of heat trapping greenhouse gases from cars and electrical generation but it is surprising, even irresponsible, that neither California nor the writers of this article mention agriculture. Conventional agriculture is the second leading cause of global greenhouse emissions behind only electrical and heat generation and ahead of the entire transportation sector. California likes to think it can control GHG emissions without hurting its economy but we are waiting for an initiative that would drastically cut agriculture's contributions, like converting all their farms to organic.
2
There is definitely a need to cut Greenhouse gas emissions related to the agricultural industry, but your numbers are off. The latest data here:
https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/data.htm
Agriculture contributes about 8% of the total GHG emissions in the state of California (primarily from raising crops & livestock, and manure decomposition). Agricultural GHG emissions world wide are estimated at 10-14% of total emissions, depending on the study.
https://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/inventory/data/data.htm
Agriculture contributes about 8% of the total GHG emissions in the state of California (primarily from raising crops & livestock, and manure decomposition). Agricultural GHG emissions world wide are estimated at 10-14% of total emissions, depending on the study.
2
Can someone please show me the part of the US Constitution where it says that an individual state can in effect sign a treaty with a foreign power?
4
Isn't this what the GOP is always urging -- the end of "federalism" and leaving everything to the states? What exactly is your concern?
1
Does it say specifically that they can't? Besides, somebody has to show that a government somewhere in America still has a functioning brain. Looks like California is up for the job.
8
The part that reads:
"Anything not stated here is left to the discretion of the various states"
"Anything not stated here is left to the discretion of the various states"
7
Many of us in California are proud of our governor and legislature for taking the lead in this area. As you can read, independent labor statistics bear out the reality that saving the planet does not necessarily cost jobs. In fact, if we continue to release massive amounts of carbon into the air, job losses will be the least of our worries. Global starvation and climate migration will destroy humanity. Forget about jobs. Remember that your grandchildren will inherit a destroyed planet. The 50s are over. We know better now.
54
When we bought solar panels, the supplier was so busy that we had to wait months for installation. They had to hire a subcontracting firm to help out. The panels were delayed because the American solar panel manufacturer was working overtime to meet the demand. There was an engineering firm devoted to making sure that our roof could support the weight. All along the way, the clear message was that lots of people were working hard to keep up with the demand of many people purchasing these arrays. "Job killer" or job producer? The President doesn't know an opportunity unless he can navigate it in a golf cart.
21
I sincerely hope WA state will follow suit soon!
6
Consumerism is killing the environment and California leads the planet as the perfect advertisement for excessive consumerism. Limousine liberals. And more nonsense from the NY Times.
2
Canada can contribute nicely by stopping the tar sand business. That will also pull the plug on the pipeline that the orange clown wants to build.
12
Our great state is always a leader. Proud to be from a state that honors science and our commitment to our planet. Continue to resist this moronic Trump administration!
10
Bravo California!
8
What is this obsession with federalism Pruitt has ? Must be the latest trending thing amongst DT's cabinet.
3
The wealthy think that they can buy comfortable survival. Won't they be surprised when society crumbles and their money is worthless.
10
to Joel A. Levitt: Even Sam Walton said something to that effect following a stock market crash--something like, "It was just paper, anyway", more or less, is what he said.
1
It's not just money. It's society's means of facilitating trade. But, when society crumbles, the physical means of trade will largely go, too. Then, it will be just paper.
3
It is interesting to me that when California does something that might make it a bit more costly, business people claim that definitely businesses will leave California. I remember when we all voted to raise our taxes a few years again the mantra was broadcast all over...businesses would leave, employment would fall and the state would fall into a worse deficit. What's the reality, unemployment is down, the budget has been balanced that past couple of years and as far as I can tell, businesses aren't leaving the state in droves. So I tend to take the doomsday comments from the business round table with a grain of salt.
12
Totally agree, businesses will always whine that you're taking food out of their children's mouths, like the merchant at a bazaar, very old ploy. It is stunning that many folks here can't see the forest for the trees until the forest is gone. The grousing about higher taxes has been ingrained in their brains, too much info wars listening. What exactly do they want? Everything for nothing? They blame the usual whipping boy ie: immigrants,homeless,the poor so let them eat cake! Very mean spirited of some folks here. I applaud California, for their continued efforts at saving our planet,our air, and( yes of course they do consume a lot but it is a very big state)they are willing to pay for it too in tax money. Those that don't want to pay leave. Like everything else, it is a mindset.
6
How many times has California invented a FIRST?!
This is so responsive to a real problem right now.
Be very proud of your vision and your actions.
Elizabeth Anderson Porzio
This is so responsive to a real problem right now.
Be very proud of your vision and your actions.
Elizabeth Anderson Porzio
44
Thanks California, many more States need to join this logical step forward.
My home state of New Jersey should definitely follow this model. Unfortunately, Florida is much too stupid.
My home state of New Jersey should definitely follow this model. Unfortunately, Florida is much too stupid.
10
It gives me hope to see California keeps moving forward on environment and Climate Change, exposing Republican hypocrisy on State rights in the process. Don't forget you have some powerful allies on the other side of the other Ocean too, Europe is also committed and the new president of France (Macron) particularly has made it very clear he wants to be at the forefront of the battle.
11
Collaborating with Canadian provinces (BC, QC, ON) and EU countries is an important and necessary endeavor to curb global warming; but only a critical mass of domestic jurisdictions (or legislators in Washington) can move the Federal Cabinet away from making the “colossal mistake [that] defies science” and fundamental cartesian logic in the currently charged partisan divide.
With Governor Brown Jr. at the helm, California is firmly back to its historic role as a precursor jurisdiction for progressive change, be it in education, health, environment (cap-and-trade policies), innovation-leadership policies or governance, as witnessed during the mandates of Pardee, Johnson, Young, Olson, Warren and Brown Sr. Unfortunately, a large majority of bills initiated by champions in Congress, frequently in synch with California, die before reaching the floors of House or the Senate, unless a surprise event (e.g. 9/11) or the next tier of precursors (Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington State and Vermont) pick the baton from California to form a critical-mass that compels Washington to regulate and bring onboard lagging jurisdictions (Rust Belt, Middle South, Midwest).
Lagging for 10 years, as the State did under Gov. George Deukmejian on the 27th Amendment was unfortunate but did not cost lives, nor did it leave opportunities on the table, However, rolling back the Clean Power Plan could harm public health beyond our wildest imagination and drive the US out of innovation race.
With Governor Brown Jr. at the helm, California is firmly back to its historic role as a precursor jurisdiction for progressive change, be it in education, health, environment (cap-and-trade policies), innovation-leadership policies or governance, as witnessed during the mandates of Pardee, Johnson, Young, Olson, Warren and Brown Sr. Unfortunately, a large majority of bills initiated by champions in Congress, frequently in synch with California, die before reaching the floors of House or the Senate, unless a surprise event (e.g. 9/11) or the next tier of precursors (Colorado, Massachusetts, Washington State and Vermont) pick the baton from California to form a critical-mass that compels Washington to regulate and bring onboard lagging jurisdictions (Rust Belt, Middle South, Midwest).
Lagging for 10 years, as the State did under Gov. George Deukmejian on the 27th Amendment was unfortunate but did not cost lives, nor did it leave opportunities on the table, However, rolling back the Clean Power Plan could harm public health beyond our wildest imagination and drive the US out of innovation race.
6
Trump and the GOP are the leader and party of entropy: decay, decline, destruction, collapse. They are committed to shrinking opportunities by concentrating wealth and stifling growth and innovation. California and Governor Brown is all about innovation, growth, and opportunity. The American dream, the land of opportunity is in California. The crippling belief in privilege, in aristocratic focus on the past and traditions that hamper growth are all Republican policies. Pollution, preserving pollution, preserving hydrocarbon addiction and the wealth that hydrocarbon dependence are Republican goals. The harm intended by Republicans is not confined to pollution. Republicans promote racism, xenophobia, misogyny, disenfranchising women, and minorities and support for white male supremacy. Republicans want to destroy Public Education, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and public health. Republicans are a diseased minority that deliberately harms children and the future.
The issue of pollution and global warming is clear evidence that Republicans have allied themselves to persons and groups that threaten democracy and are engineering the destruction of the "land of opportunity".
The issue of pollution and global warming is clear evidence that Republicans have allied themselves to persons and groups that threaten democracy and are engineering the destruction of the "land of opportunity".
9
We Californians know about smog. In the Bay Area, we have Spare the Air Day due to two pollutants: ozone (smog) and particulate matter (soot). Considerately at risk are those with respiratory conditions and may even affect the heart and cardiovascular system. Spare the Air encourages commuters to car pool or drive less, prohibits wood burning, and to cut back on gasoline powered yard equipment, oil based paints, etc.
4
Today I had a smog check on my 2011 Toyota RAV4 in order to receive my annual registration tags, as cars over 5 years old have to get "smogged" every other year beginning in the 6th year. I paid $70, and was annoyed at the process, let alone the expense. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is a small price to pay for trying to do our part to keep pollution and greenhouse gases under control. California has always been on the cutting edge of environmental protections, and every time I get frustrated with the traffic and the expense of living here, I realize that I really don't want to live anywhere else. I'll stay in my Left Coast Bubble, at least at least until the rest of the country takes the environment and health of its citizens as seriously as CA does. Thank you, Jerry Brown, for all you have done for us and for standing up for what is right.
67
Proud to be a Californian.
34
Is there a carbon offset for Nancy Pelosi and Maxine Waters?
5
Keep listening to "President Trump." Now that's a man who is very knowledgeable on so much. He will lead this country to greatness, especially on the issue of the environment in which he is an expert!
7
Bravo Govenor Brown and California. We herald your leadership!
31
I love California! Thanks, Jerry!
29
Love, Love, LOVE IT!! Thanks California and Jerry Brown!
28
Brown has left us with broken roads ;stole funds), broken healthcare, a $5 billion train to nowhere, unaffordable car registration, $4 a gal gas this summer, a broken pension program that's trillions in debt, shall I go on?
9
First of all, Californians VOTED to build the high-speed train at an estimated $40 billion, but the project is being challenged in numerous courts and may never be built. Brown didn't just sign an "executive action" for the train--he put the concept to the voters. Car registration fees are high, but then I paid high registration fees for my daughter's car when she was in school in CT five years ago, so it's not just CA. Gas prices?? I filled up today at $2.95 per gallon, a bargain compared to the price of gas in Canada ($5) and Tokyo ($4.75) and London ($8.00). And, yes, the state is projected to run a deficit of $1.6 billion for 2018 on an annual budget of $180 billion, but this is due to anticipated increases in MediCal and public school spending, both of which will feel pressure under Trump's proposed federal budget cuts. This deficit is the first that CA has had since the Great Recession, and the deficit is only a projection, not a reality. California is the 6th largest economy in the world , and we have a lot to be proud of.
11
Oh, such woes. To hear you tell its story one would think Californians would be doing whatever they had to in order to move elsewhere, but no, California remains the nation's most populous state. How strange.
8
I'm in California...i paid 2.59 for gas yesterday.
8
My wife and I are retired and live in California. Two years ago we bought a Chevy Volt. This an electric car that goes up to 45 mi. on electricity and seamlessly converts to gas-it holds about 6gal. Combined we get an average through the life of the 106 mpg. PGE gives us a credit if we charge it at night when electricity use is down.
We got a tax credit from the Feds for $7,500. and the state for $1,500.
We are very happy with our situation and living in California with our climate control efforts that are drawing fans around the world. We also have a great Governor and state govt.
We got a tax credit from the Feds for $7,500. and the state for $1,500.
We are very happy with our situation and living in California with our climate control efforts that are drawing fans around the world. We also have a great Governor and state govt.
37
Victor,
Not to be snide, but you are part of the problem if you are charging that Volt at night-- Over 80% of the night-time electrical supply for California comes from natural gas and coal (mostly from out of state). They encourage you to charge then because those supplies are cheapest for the utility (PGE in your case, SCE in mine)-- but hardly clean.
It's not 'carbon neutral' in any sense, and is frankly a scam.
It's just another set of perverse economic incentives that make California such a house of mirrors.
Not to be snide, but you are part of the problem if you are charging that Volt at night-- Over 80% of the night-time electrical supply for California comes from natural gas and coal (mostly from out of state). They encourage you to charge then because those supplies are cheapest for the utility (PGE in your case, SCE in mine)-- but hardly clean.
It's not 'carbon neutral' in any sense, and is frankly a scam.
It's just another set of perverse economic incentives that make California such a house of mirrors.
2
I have a 2016 Volt. I get 62 miles electric range every morning (on 110 current) and 45 MPG on just gasoline for longer trips. No range anxiety. Terrific acceleration. If everyone drove a plug-in hybrid like this, we could make a huge first step to reducing our use of fossil fuels.
5
The only problem is that California doesn't speak for the country and Brown is not the president. This is part of the looney-left, fantasy world that somehow Trump winning the presidency was just a bad dream. The world, or even the country for that matter, doesn't revolve around California and its liberal population. Their policies have destroyed California, but we're not going to let them destroy the rest of the country.
8
Regardless of the fact that you think they destroyed California, climate change can destroy the planet. If you actually knew the science behind it then you would realize how this is the bigger issue that everyone is faced with and needs to do something about.
26
It's the 6th largest economy in the world and a huge market that business wants. So, if manufacturers want our 40 million eyeballs and wallets, they make things to CA specs, and rather than making two different versions as this article says, they just often make things that comply w/ CA requirements, thereby changing standards nationwide.
Yes but in a planned way that does not destroy the livelihoods of thousands leaving them little option other then the dole. Every job lost must be matched by a job offer that is as least as good. This requires retraining and accelerated incentive based economic development in the areas affected, people have community roots which must be respected. Any legislation has to be balanced and above all the US has to be much more self-sufficient in all aspects. America First.
1
How can California be global force when it has lost nearlky a million people, mostly middle and class and lower, because they can't afford to live there?
11
California is a victim of its own success. Like other places that combine a desirable location with a dynamic economy (think London, Sydney, etc.) real estate prices rise beyond the reach of many. This is a big problem that politicians around the world are just starting to seriously address (mostly through taxation and zoning restrictions.)
California's crumbling infrastructure is another big issue - but also evident country-wide. However problematic these situations may be, they are not the subject of this article. Tackling climate change to try to ensure everyone around the planet has a healthier and more stable environment is.
California's crumbling infrastructure is another big issue - but also evident country-wide. However problematic these situations may be, they are not the subject of this article. Tackling climate change to try to ensure everyone around the planet has a healthier and more stable environment is.
2
Our population is more than double what it was when I was born here, and it's still going up. As far as I'm concerned it would be nice if what you said was true, but it ain't.
5
Thank you, California, for standing up for policies on climate change. I hope other states will follow your lead and join you in your efforts. It is the correct thing to do for the environment of the world. We owe it to future generations.
23
Bravo, California! Keep up the good work -- we're depending on you!
24
Any effort to reduce toxic emissions, greenhouse gasses and carbon footprint while focusing on clean, renewable energy is a step in the right direction. With great resources and great population comes great responsibility. California has both and has embraced its responsibility accordingly, leading others into the fold. With the Antarctic ice shelves in danger, rising temperatures and oceans, plus ever more volatile hurricanes and storms, we cannot continue to ignore the very real danger we are putting ourselves in or the potential to leave our children with a seriously damaged planet. Thank you California for leading the way.
19
Why does California have to go it alone? Why isn't Gov. Cuomo of New York working with California?
I remember as a kid driving toward the city (New York city) and thinking it was covered by a dome. The dome was the bubble of smog that was covering the city. That changed with the clean air act and other advances to reduce emissions from cars, trucks and buildings.
Donald Trump may not remember this because he lived inside that dome. As a republican (remember he was once a democrat) he lives in a bubble.
I remember as a kid driving toward the city (New York city) and thinking it was covered by a dome. The dome was the bubble of smog that was covering the city. That changed with the clean air act and other advances to reduce emissions from cars, trucks and buildings.
Donald Trump may not remember this because he lived inside that dome. As a republican (remember he was once a democrat) he lives in a bubble.
19
Go California, hope NY will join. In the end big states with more educated electorate will drive market transformation to renewable energy and fuel economy. The others will simply have to follow markets. Looking at what Germany did for renewable energy markets worldwide, I think there is clearly a path for CA, NY and other better governed states to similarly drive the transformation in the US, while federal government is temporary (hopefully) paralyzed by nostalgic delusional science denying populists. The market transformation without adequate government support may not come fast enough to avoid the worst impacts or even save our coastal cities, but it's our best hope.
22
Yay!!! Go California! Trump and Pruitt are short sighted and dangerously ignorant or, more probably, self-serving, on this issue that concerns not just all of us but our children's future. Thank you for at least trying for rational thought and collaboration in this matter. At least someone out there is thinking....
26
Try both, self serving and ignorant.They probably have their ark ready for blastoff so you see, they don't care about anybody's kids.
2
Yeah California!!! Thank goodness for the left coast!!!
29
Thank you, California. Many, many of us here in Maryland have your back
27
Eliminate CAFE standards. Any state that wants to increase gas mileage has a simple fix. Announce a steady planned increase in fuel taxes. Propose a $0.50/gallon increase each year for the next five years, accelerating to $1.00/gallon increase for the next ten years. People will buy more fuel efficient vehicles and will carpool and take other actions to reduce their fuel use.
California, and many of the highly populated states along the North East Coast, have no business allowing ICE vehicles. The combination of high population density plus geologic structures and other atmospheric conditions, trap pollutants at ground level. The air in flyover country is clean. No need for people in flyover country to have costs imposed that add nothing to the environment.
California, and many of the highly populated states along the North East Coast, have no business allowing ICE vehicles. The combination of high population density plus geologic structures and other atmospheric conditions, trap pollutants at ground level. The air in flyover country is clean. No need for people in flyover country to have costs imposed that add nothing to the environment.
2
Since a lot of the coal plants that keep CA lit up (they are in the "unattributed sources" category in the state's "Where we get our power" reports) are IN flyover country, it's ironic that CA claims to be making so much progress even as they close power plants in-state and 'import' power from surrounding states-- thus "outsourcing" pollution. Those states, thanks to a horrific SCOTUS decision prohibiting interstate carbon and pollution taxes, can't even recoup for all the environmental damage due to CA's drivers plugging their Teslas into the grid.
It's seriously messed up.
It's seriously messed up.
1
Try this to the tune of the Beach Boys surfing song hit, "California Girls:"
I with they all could be California greens.
I'm Proud of our green state.
And I'm proud of San Francisco where each household can choose among several levels of renewal energy sources for generating our electricity. It's called Community Choice Association.
For those who think freedom is getting the Feds diminished, you don't know the struggle we had breaking free of PG&E our privately owned utility company. Until that happened, our choice was no electricity or buying whatever PG&E wanted to sell us and at the price they wanted to set. And we couldn't even vote them out of office.
We really like freedom in California and that includes freedom from Big Oil.
I with they all could be California greens.
I'm Proud of our green state.
And I'm proud of San Francisco where each household can choose among several levels of renewal energy sources for generating our electricity. It's called Community Choice Association.
For those who think freedom is getting the Feds diminished, you don't know the struggle we had breaking free of PG&E our privately owned utility company. Until that happened, our choice was no electricity or buying whatever PG&E wanted to sell us and at the price they wanted to set. And we couldn't even vote them out of office.
We really like freedom in California and that includes freedom from Big Oil.
30
As so many times before, in so many areas of public policy, California leads while Washington, regresses as fast Congress can get its single party act together. Even China is moving rapidly toward cleaner use of fossil fuels and more importantly, laying the groundwork to dominate the renewable energy sector in the decades ahead.
The GOP's reliably hypocritical federalism is amplified to grotesque levels with Republicans in control of Congress and the White House, however dysfunctional the latter may be. Predictably, the 30% of the population who are Trump's die-hard supporters must do verbal contortions in order to convince each other that federalism doesn't apply when it comes to blue states like California.
The 'proof is in the numbers' and in California's case this saying is especially true. 2015 is representative of the historical norm. In that year California grew 4.2% while the country as a whole grew at what economists say is it's full capacity norm; 2%. Texas, a bastion of GOP gerrymandered dominance followed at 1.8% and Kansas, the test tube of Tea Party economics par excellence; -0.8%. Before you decide to accuse me for citing conveniently pro-California statistics have a look at the time series data yourself.
California's detractors can squawk all they like about about the audacity of challenging Trump but let's see which has the last laugh when the numbers are tallied up. My money is on history. My money is on California.
The GOP's reliably hypocritical federalism is amplified to grotesque levels with Republicans in control of Congress and the White House, however dysfunctional the latter may be. Predictably, the 30% of the population who are Trump's die-hard supporters must do verbal contortions in order to convince each other that federalism doesn't apply when it comes to blue states like California.
The 'proof is in the numbers' and in California's case this saying is especially true. 2015 is representative of the historical norm. In that year California grew 4.2% while the country as a whole grew at what economists say is it's full capacity norm; 2%. Texas, a bastion of GOP gerrymandered dominance followed at 1.8% and Kansas, the test tube of Tea Party economics par excellence; -0.8%. Before you decide to accuse me for citing conveniently pro-California statistics have a look at the time series data yourself.
California's detractors can squawk all they like about about the audacity of challenging Trump but let's see which has the last laugh when the numbers are tallied up. My money is on history. My money is on California.
27
My money is on you not liking the $1 Trillion dollar pension debt you'll be paying for the next 50 years...
1
Environment protection should be left to states. There are more vehicles per person in some states than in others. California has the 10th largest economy in the world and possibly the biggest polluter in the country. Let California decide what is best for itself. It is already doing that in terms of illegal immigration and state taxation levels.
6
In case you haven't noticed, Mr. Kotwal, the pollutants in the air do not hover over just the state where they are produced. In addition vehicles, for example, travel from state to state. Pollutants travel freely with the air and the breeze. Surely you must know that. Or perhaps you don't.
3
The problem with that is, we all breathe the same air. There are wind patterns.
Mr. Kotwal, your comment shows the same science-denying, narrow-minded focus that Trump demonstrates. Our world is a big bubble, in which everyone is eventually affected by pollution that enters the environment that we all share. We do not live in isolated silos. Your freedom to pollute the environment ends at the point where it negatively affects my quality of life.
17
Fantastic, California! This country does NOT belong to Trump. It really belongs to the citizens who genuinely love it and work to protect and defend it. Onward and upward for citizen power! Amidst rank corruption, we are the only ones who can take our country and its precious values back.
22
It is erroneous to even suggest that the agreement between Obama and China results in China reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. At the time the agreement was struck, China agreed to triple their CO2 emissions by 2030, and they are more than halfway there, having spent the ensuing years starting up a new coal fired electricity generator. The rate of increase has slowed somewhat in China, but only because the centralized planning of the government put some of those coal fired plants in locations where there was insufficient demand for electricity. But centrally planned governments are always out of sync with the marketplace.
6
So if China has direct talks with California, I guess that means the US can have direct talks with Taiwan... only seems fair!
8
This only seems fair in a narrow-minded, convoluted way of thinking. But, I think that you are smart enough to know this.
5
Go California, go Canada, go Mexico.
35
But not Go America? That the sad message I take from many comments on this site, not just yours.
you think trump and ilk ignoring climate change in favor of oil kickbacks is a good thing to be applauded? C'mon David, CA is doing what is good for the country; not DC.
2
With Kaiser Permanente, California also provides the leading model in healthcare.
23
Shows how important it is to have the Federalist system. For all of you who want the Federal government to jam things down people's throats, think about this article.
3
Let's hope that Governor Brown's brilliance and far sighted strategic thinking can neutralize the dim wit in Washington. Climate change is real. We have a frighteningly small amount of time to solve it.
40
'A frighteningly small amount of time' means what? A week? A year? A century? Alarmism doesn't help your argument in the slightest. Why is it such a small amount of time?
2
We are pretty much out of time, sorry to say.
2
We have a small amount of time in which to address this problem because, when we reach the "tipping point" of rising world temperatures and melting polar ice, we won't have the science and technology to stop the rise of water levels. Then, there will be nothing that we will be able to do, other than move large populations away from the East, West, and South coastal areas of the U.S. Perhaps we could build massive dikes, dams, and floodgates along the coasts, to hold back the waters, as is done in the Netherlands, in an attempt to minimize and control flooding of populated areas. Can you picture a system of dikes, dams, and floodgates stretching from our East Canadian border, South around Florida, then West around the Gulf of Mexico to the West Coast, and then North to the Canadian border?
4
Pruitt has been suing the EPA for years. He reps the coal industry. So Trump puts him in charge of the EPA. Kinda like having the fox guard the hen house!
Keep up the good work California. Hopefully all the states will join you in your quest for lowering air pollution and save the planet from idiots like Trump and Pruitt
Keep up the good work California. Hopefully all the states will join you in your quest for lowering air pollution and save the planet from idiots like Trump and Pruitt
44
CO2 is NOT pollution. Buying carbon credits does nothing for the environment, but it does help Al Gore's bank account.
2
It's happening now... hello!
1
As you can READ at www.nationalgeographic.com, "Though living things emit carbon dioxide when they breathe, carbon dioxide is widely considered to be a pollutant when associated with cars, planes, power plants, and other human activities that involve the burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline and natural gas." Ignorance must be replaced with knowledge, unless your name is Trump.
3
Ontarians look forward to immediately working with California, Quebec and perhaps B.C. on a cap and trade system designed to keep the provinces green and the grandkids with a livable biosphere.
23
Oh, so Hillary won the popular vote by 3M votes, but won California by 4M votes, which means California would have dictated the presidential election if it was by popular vote. Without California, Trump wins the other 49 states by 1m. So much for the myth that HC won the popular vote, and thank you genius of the founding fathers that one state of dinbats would not ddictate the presidential election.
5
Anthony seems to have a problem with simple math. HC indeed won the popular vote by 3 million which means she won the popular vote. Certain he's not saying that my vote in California is worth less than a vote from another state unless his math fails him again.
Ummm, no. The fact that she won California by 4M votes does not mean she lost all the other 49 states. The bottom line is simple, even if the extreme right wants to deny it along with climate change. The last two GOP presidents have been minority presidents. Trump and Bush both entered office loosing the popular vote. Their voters do not represent the will of the people and they do and did not have a mandate.
23
She did win the popular vote; unless you are claiming that Californians are somehow not US citizens
2
Let me see. Who is the saner, more effective, smarter, more adult leader - Trump or Brown? Is there really a choice? Go Jerry...
Someone has to stand up to Trump and his lackeys and advocate for the people. It is especially delicious that it drives Trump crazy that Clinton won by several million votes in California.
Someone has to stand up to Trump and his lackeys and advocate for the people. It is especially delicious that it drives Trump crazy that Clinton won by several million votes in California.
29
What's DELICIOUS is that she won California but lost most of the rest of the country ! Don't tell me only Hollywood is USA now ! Hard working taxpayers in heart of America voted for the POTUS !
Actually a lot of those "hard working tax payers" are unemployed, addicted to opioids, and trying to get on disability. They tend to be in Red States, which are essentially on welfare, since they receive more in benefits from the Federal government than they contribute in taxes. Stares like California pay for States like West Virginia and Mississippi!
5
Sorry, but you must have mistaken this for a article about something other than California climate and energy policy. But while I have your attention I feel compelled to address the points you make.
Even with Trump campaign working in concert with the Russians to help him win, and with Comey's ridiculously inappropriate "October Surprise", Trump still LOST the popular vote. What appears to be your contention that Clinton actually lost the popular vote because California or Hollywood don't count is preposterous.
It is lamentable that despite your team "winning" the Electoral College vote you still appear to be quite angry. May I suggest that you take a break from watching Fox News and Fox Business News for a month and see if your mood doesn't improve? And just in case you are a fan of Rush Limbaugh, you might want to give your radio a rest too. Studies have shown that even infrequent exposure to Fox and Limbaugh is both bad for your blood pressure.
Even with Trump campaign working in concert with the Russians to help him win, and with Comey's ridiculously inappropriate "October Surprise", Trump still LOST the popular vote. What appears to be your contention that Clinton actually lost the popular vote because California or Hollywood don't count is preposterous.
It is lamentable that despite your team "winning" the Electoral College vote you still appear to be quite angry. May I suggest that you take a break from watching Fox News and Fox Business News for a month and see if your mood doesn't improve? And just in case you are a fan of Rush Limbaugh, you might want to give your radio a rest too. Studies have shown that even infrequent exposure to Fox and Limbaugh is both bad for your blood pressure.
2
You can regulate climate all you want but with continued population growth that sees the earth now pushing 8 billion with no leveling off or reductions in sight, it doesn't matter. Climate change is a giant red herring compared to the elephant in the room of population growth. Unfortunately, with the exception of the Chinese who tried to slow things in their country, this issue remains a third rail to nearly all politicians.
8
The key to reversing population growth is to contribute to organizations that educate women and girls. Educated women (6th grade equivalent) have fewer children, and that is driving the reduction in population growth rate that we are seeing. Climate Change is no red herring - combined with population growth, it just makes the situation worse. All the reduction we can get will help to offset population growth that will occur until it peaks and begins to decline.
6
A few comments regarding the supply side issues for California:
• For transportation, the bad news is that we already have 35 million registered vehicles. New car sales are adding 1 to 2 million more per year onto our transportation infrastructure. The good news is that our current consumption of 40 million gallons a day will most likely stay constant with that vehicle growth or decrease due to fuel efficiency and a minute contribution by the 3 percent that are EV’s.
• Airports, on the other hand will most likely see an increase in aviation fuel needs. California has more than 145 airports (inclusive of 10 major and 33 military, plus smaller, reliever, and general aviation. California’s annual aviation fuel consumption in 2013 amounted to 10 million gallons of aviation fuels EVERY DAY to keep the airline industry and the economy running smoothly. For America’s military, the strongest in the world, California is home to more than 30 military installations and over 168,000 of our war fighters, all of which are based on fossil fuels and the products derived from crude oil.
Basically, if we do not manufacture the fuel needs for our aviation and transportation needs in-state from in-state or imported crude oil, two things would happen: 1) an increase in greenhouse gases as no other State of Country has the stringent environmental controls as California, and 2) there would be an increase in the cost of those energies to bring the manufactured products into our ports.
• For transportation, the bad news is that we already have 35 million registered vehicles. New car sales are adding 1 to 2 million more per year onto our transportation infrastructure. The good news is that our current consumption of 40 million gallons a day will most likely stay constant with that vehicle growth or decrease due to fuel efficiency and a minute contribution by the 3 percent that are EV’s.
• Airports, on the other hand will most likely see an increase in aviation fuel needs. California has more than 145 airports (inclusive of 10 major and 33 military, plus smaller, reliever, and general aviation. California’s annual aviation fuel consumption in 2013 amounted to 10 million gallons of aviation fuels EVERY DAY to keep the airline industry and the economy running smoothly. For America’s military, the strongest in the world, California is home to more than 30 military installations and over 168,000 of our war fighters, all of which are based on fossil fuels and the products derived from crude oil.
Basically, if we do not manufacture the fuel needs for our aviation and transportation needs in-state from in-state or imported crude oil, two things would happen: 1) an increase in greenhouse gases as no other State of Country has the stringent environmental controls as California, and 2) there would be an increase in the cost of those energies to bring the manufactured products into our ports.
Thank God we have a few sensible, sane and smart humans in this country who all seem to be in California! I am so proud as a Californian, to be a member of the rational thinkers (and dare I say the word.... Scientists) who will fight to the last breath for the health and well being of all creatures including humans. Jerry Brown is a hero who has been fighting the good fight his whole life. Go Jerry!!!!!
31
Model of income inequality. Great climate. Accepting, diverse culture. But completely whacky when it comes to economics and the history on environmental issues isn't the green story that the media is fed. What about MTBE? Clean up the air, cost citizens billions... and then contaminates ground water. Nice. And the schools are horrible... so it's a real mixed bag... an agenda that you have to say the Sierra Club is driving and one where people matter less than pretty much anything else.
5
Coal prices still high in Kentucky?
2
Sounds like sour grapes.
7
Thee is certainly an excess of people; but not of "anything else". Well, maybe mosquitoes and cockroaches...
1
Businesses use the excuse that they have to pass the increased costs of climate based manufacturing processes onto consumers----they don't! They are greedy, profit driven (not a "person" as the court stated--how ludicrous), inhumane organizationns. I worked at a major orange juice company and they took the prices of their orange juice up because there had been a rare freeze in Florida. The state was clear that the total crop for the year would not be effected....but this company took their prices up stating the freeze as the reason. I worked there.
The manufacturing cost of a major value based shampoo & conditioner product is 1 cent. They charge over $2 for their products.
You, the consumer are not the focus of any business. If it's public, shareholders become the client. I've worked in marketing for many major consumer organizations, so I know the profit margins of many popular products and they are outrageous.
The manufacturing cost of a major value based shampoo & conditioner product is 1 cent. They charge over $2 for their products.
You, the consumer are not the focus of any business. If it's public, shareholders become the client. I've worked in marketing for many major consumer organizations, so I know the profit margins of many popular products and they are outrageous.
58
During your employment at consumer goods companies, I'm sure that you reduced your personal consumption to the lowest possible level and donated the excess to good causes, since you did not want to be greedy.
So let's have the government control the prices of everything. Control the prices that companies can charge, control how much you get paid based on what the government feels you're worth. Control who gets to live where based on their loyalty to the party. Maybe it would be better if you just moved to Russia.
I'll stay here with a market driven economy. Thanks.
I'll stay here with a market driven economy. Thanks.
It would be great if California, esp LA, would stop throwing It's garbage into the ocean. Cheaper than cleaning up.
6
God, where do you people get these ideas? California has progressive solid waste policies up and down the state. Heck, my cousins in Missouri don't even recycle bottles and cans!
19
Progressive? Well, there's your problem. That was easy, got any more problems?
So great. Go ahead California. Let's just forget the civil war and the law that supported it. Just create your own foreign policy. How's that going to work for you when things turn ugly and you need a central government to defend you. Like when North Korea fires a middle at you. Are you hoping for the coalition of the useless and will-less. I won't be volunteering tax dollars or personnel to defend the apparently free state of California. On your own on climate: on your own for the messy and essential business of defense. Good luck.
5
Thanx granny. We don't need your tax dollars half as much as you need ours.
12
North Korean middles (sic) can't hit us yet.
4
"Foreign policy"? We're just sharing good ideas with anyone else around the globe who is interested in saving the ONLY PLANET WE CAN LIVE ON!
Sheesh.
Sheesh.
10
Since present day Washington DC doesn't care one scintilla about either the environment or California with its 40 million residents, it is refreshing that Governor Brown, historically a beacon of good sense, has stepped up to represent California and the United States of America. The Trump Administration and congressional republicans seem hellbent on making America the pariah and laughing stock of the world interchangeably. It is therefore comforting that the Governor of California has stepped onto the world stage to enact a bit of desperately needed damage control.
22
Governor MoonBeam Rocks!
He has more savvy, intelligence, and understanding of complex issues than entire Trump Cabal of advisors – Bannon, Miller, Son in law, daughter etc – combined.
He has more savvy, intelligence, and understanding of complex issues than entire Trump Cabal of advisors – Bannon, Miller, Son in law, daughter etc – combined.
28
Seriously, if California is the model for the rest of the world, we are all doomed! Regulating car emmision but without public transportation can certainly make some people feel very good. But it is a costly way to solve the problem. How about less urban sprawling, higher density cities and better public transportations?! Not to mention the unsustainable way of farming in California.
I hate to do this liberal bashing thing on the daily basis. But still come on. Can we just be a little more sophisticated, please?
I hate to do this liberal bashing thing on the daily basis. But still come on. Can we just be a little more sophisticated, please?
4
We are also leaders in farming for carbon sequestration. Urban sprawl was and has been a problem due to our state's development since WWII, but the car culture has killed even intra-city public transportation in this country.
At least we are TRYING to build high-speed rail to connect our major urban areas. Meanwhile, Oregon is still trying to clear cut any slope it can.
Sorry, but I don't think we need advice from our neighbor to the north.
At least we are TRYING to build high-speed rail to connect our major urban areas. Meanwhile, Oregon is still trying to clear cut any slope it can.
Sorry, but I don't think we need advice from our neighbor to the north.
9
There WAS great transportation via trolleys in LA & San Diego in the early and mid 20th century until Firestone bought them, decommissioned them and consequently increased the need for cars and tires which was their ultimate goal.
5
The air in Los Angeles is completely different from when I was a kid there, in the 1950s and 60s. Much, much cleaner as a result of California's emissions efforts.
We have a long way to go. Many problems in this state despite the big economy.
But I have always liked Jerry Brown. Born to privilege, he has never been in public service for personal enrichment or material wealth.
May California keep fighting the good fight.
We have a long way to go. Many problems in this state despite the big economy.
But I have always liked Jerry Brown. Born to privilege, he has never been in public service for personal enrichment or material wealth.
May California keep fighting the good fight.
27
me too. my mom had to keep me inside on the heavy smog days because I started wheezing and gasping due to the pollution. people forget or never knew how terrible it used to be
9
Jerry Brown for President! And Kamla Harris, Kevin de Leon and Xavier Becerra, too! Thank God that California, unlike so many states, is not mesmerized by the crazy Republicans who are ruining our country. It's too bad that so much of Caifornia's riches go to Washington as federal taxes where they are put to use countervening the progress that California's citizens -- and the citizens of most of the rest of the world -- wish to see made.
46
Someone has to be the adult, there most certainly aren't any in the White House.
31
And a "treaty" with the state of California obligates who? Does California has any power whatsoever against the rest of the states? The states won by Trump, which are the majority have one sign with one hand regarding California's policies. Anything applying to the United States of America has to be ratified by Congress. California can escalate its policies which are lately even welcoming expressly socialist ideology while the rest of the country maybe with the exception of New York will do otherwise.
2
California isn't negotiating on behalf of the United States, or claiming to. A treaty between California and countries such as Mexico or Canada obligates only California and those countries. Of course, other states are welcome to join our efforts, and some already are.
9
The treaty signed by the State of California obligates only California and the other signatories. But it will inspire other states and countries to undertake sane and scientific steps as well. As California goes, so goes the world. What does socialist ideology have to do with it, Ed? This is science, not political ideology. If we want the air to be breatheable and the water to be potable, we need to do as California is doing.
14
It obligates California.
3
I am a proud tax payer in CA and I love Governor Moonbeam!
29
I have never wanted to live in California....until now.
21
I used to want to live in Michigan, until last November.
(Especially love the UP.)
(Especially love the UP.)
5
Go Cali! Hats off to the Golden State and Governor Jerry Brown. Washington and Oregon are with you. The Left Coast coast will fight Trump & Co with everything we've got. Let's save America and make a great future for all.
35
It's so wonderful! As a resident of one of the other 49 states businesses will flee to avoid California's windmill-tilting foolishness, I say "GO BIG!"
Not only should California impose its own "cap-and-trade" it should also go all the way and do single payer healthcare.
Texas and all the other states will welcome California jobs with open arms! Even New York will seem pro- business by comparison.
Not only should California impose its own "cap-and-trade" it should also go all the way and do single payer healthcare.
Texas and all the other states will welcome California jobs with open arms! Even New York will seem pro- business by comparison.
5
Good! Then, you red states can start supporting us blue states, for a change.
8
I don't see how your poorer environmental regulations and lack of innovation are working for you now. After all creating jobs was what lots of those red state Trump voters focused on because they were hurting even with fewer environmental rules and right wing governments like Kansas and Michigan cutting budgets & taxes. Smart regulation, good education & health care, investment in science spur innovation and new jobs along with places people including the young want to live. CA, NY & MA are doing well on that front except perhaps public education at the lower levels (but we are trying and this is a national problem). I think we can have a sensible debate on regulation reform but the simplistic idea that allowing pollution and cutting taxes will bring back good jobs and a healthy life is not going to work.
4
As a resident of one of the states that's going to get walloped by rising sea levels and more intense weather, I would hope that for your own sake you'd be at least a little bit supportive of someone trying to do something about climate change.
Maybe you don't believe in global warming, but it's not one of those things like Santa or the Easter Bunny that you have to believe in for it to be real. It's real no matter what you believe, and you ought to be getting ready for it.
Maybe you don't believe in global warming, but it's not one of those things like Santa or the Easter Bunny that you have to believe in for it to be real. It's real no matter what you believe, and you ought to be getting ready for it.
1
A very complex issue the environmental issue but there is in the California reaction, and the linking with other regions even as far as Mexico and Canada, the kernel of geographical restructuring that transcends national boundaries for the sake of connectivity. This is happening world wide some times with major urban areas being the root cause. How this entangles with existing governmental structures is the wave of the future. America may be slow to respond or because of its regional diversities very flexible but the California example is pushing the envelope.
Here in China Hong Kong is playing that role linking with three other governmental structures to enhance development in the Pearl River Delta involving extensive transportation and communication networks. Good Luck Golden State.
Here in China Hong Kong is playing that role linking with three other governmental structures to enhance development in the Pearl River Delta involving extensive transportation and communication networks. Good Luck Golden State.
40
Thank you Jerry Brown! Trump talks about giving jobs back to coal miners- why wouldn't he talk to them about the future and the future is green. Coal miners should be building solar panels. Californians should be proud of a governor that speaks the truth and is not afraid to do the right thing!
31
California is the best nation in the country in spite of our warts.
4
It's not easy to live in California right now. The rental market has gone New York-sky high and many question the need for this high speed rail project. California is tough on businesses. Some say there would be more jobs if only this or only that. But at least we can breathe the air and take advantage of the incredible climate and outstanding scenery which are free for everyone. And now someone wants to turn it back to the way it was in the 70s?
18
Fix the broken property tax system and you will fix California.
Until then, everything you hear from CA's leaders (from "no borders" to "sanctuary cities" to "all renewables") is completely about kicking the can down the road.
And, nobody can kick the can down the road harder than the Democrats that have ruled CA since Dutch Reagan left town.
Until then, everything you hear from CA's leaders (from "no borders" to "sanctuary cities" to "all renewables") is completely about kicking the can down the road.
And, nobody can kick the can down the road harder than the Democrats that have ruled CA since Dutch Reagan left town.
1
Mr. Pruitt argues that California is imposing its policies on other states. That is silly and an outright lie. My state Washington welcomes California leadership, and is eager to lead where we can--on the environment and everything else. We in Washington are particularly proud of our senators, attorney general, and governor who have taken the fight to the unethical and dishonest Mr. Trump. Pruitt and Trump live in a fake-news world and think only of compelling all of us to return to the past; we live in the real world and are thinking of the future.
38
I'm sure Trump and the GOP will appreciate and accept this shining example of "states rights"!
16
A great example of how you don't need federal fiats to do the right thing. You don't need the federal government's permission or congratulations to reduce you emissions. Now if we can just get them to stop crowing about their own morality...
7
I am exceedingly proud to be a Californian right now. This is especially true since 45 came along. He alone can't fix anything. In fact, he is dismantling everything because he understands nothing. Most of the people businesses employ in my state would rather live in and raise families in a SAFE environment, not one where the business's sole purpose is to help destroy the very environment they exist in just for profit. We're way too smart to do that en masse. I suggest that since Canada and Mexico are onboard that the rest of the States listen up for how it's done. 45 is an anomaly, a con man and a charlatan who is currently under a criminal investigation. Nothing he says or wants can possible be good for anyone except other criminals.
28
In the word of #45, "so Sad"!
1
Gotta love California. A state with some real guts.
23
Go California! So proud to live here and call myself a Californian. Let me tell you, it is so noticeable how clear the air is compared to a generation ago. Even more so compared to the 1960s/70s. It shows what can be done to reverse the effects of pollution. To have sound policies that protect and improve our environment without sacrificing the economy. It.can.be.done! No... let's tackle our astronomical housing prices!!
92
The march toward clean energy is unstoppable. I don't see how companies that need to plan for the long term can't keep moving in this direction. Example: U.S. automakers. Were they to stop moving forward and take advantage of relaxed emission standards, they would be putting themselves in a position to get run over again by foreign competition. I hope they are smart enough to learn from past errors.
I wish New York State was right there with California on this one. We should be.
I wish New York State was right there with California on this one. We should be.
133
An American mandate never requires taking onerous action in the present. See: kick the can down the interstate; some other guy's problem.
4
As a former Californian I am so proud of Jerry Brown's and California's efforts to stop Price and Trump's anti-science agenda that is leaving us behind China and India (China and India!) in the attempt to stop the catastrophic effects of Global Warming.
At the same time I am so embarrassed as an American that the most powerful and most scientifically advanced nation is the world is following such a mickey-mouse, uninformed, and backwards agenda.
At the same time I am so embarrassed as an American that the most powerful and most scientifically advanced nation is the world is following such a mickey-mouse, uninformed, and backwards agenda.
53
Funny to see so many "former" Californians weighing in here!
If the Golden State is full of promise and opportunity, why did you leave?
If the Golden State is full of promise and opportunity, why did you leave?
Why does anyone move? Job transfers, family situations,etc. Sometimes situations change. But perhaps, this has never happened to you?
3
I am so grateful to live in California. I am happy to pay state taxes because we get a good environment and other benefits in exchange.
I feel sorry for people in other states that fail to take care of their residents...
I feel sorry for people in other states that fail to take care of their residents...
60
The difference between California and Washington is that California takes seriously the purpose cited in the US Constitution to "promote the general welfare".
82
Thank you, California! You're doing so much to save us from the trump tragedy,
50
Oh, California, where everybody drives (big) vehicles and everyday activities are based on individual traffic? Where giant houses with lots of energy-consumption are spread all over? For me, that's a joke. Change into an environmental friendly state would mean change into a different lifestyle. I don't see that coming. Talk is good but the walk is the work.
9
Oh California, where scores of homes in our semi-desert climate are powered by solar panels; where windmills generate tons of energy from Palm Springs to the Central Valley; where more people drive a Prius or other hybrids and EVs than anywhere else in the country. Where our smog has been cut drastically - I see mountains nearly every day now and the skies are blue most of the time; Try again Renate. With 40,000,000 people we're going to have problems - and traffic and housing costs are among the biggest - but it's mostly because it's such a desirable place in which to live.
22
What a comment. California is pressing for greater fuel efficiency in vehicles while Trump is removing them. California is a leader in efficiency standards for homes. It's embraced a very ambitious agenda of using solar and other renewable energy sources to power its factories and homes.
That's called walking the walk. Indulging in some fantasy where California or most other states (most are like California in case you didn't notice) becomes like New York City obviously is not.
That's called walking the walk. Indulging in some fantasy where California or most other states (most are like California in case you didn't notice) becomes like New York City obviously is not.
Again, wehoscott, why is it that 3 Californians move OUT of the state for every one that moves in? Because it's so desirable?
Uh, no, over the years I've met hundreds of emigrant ex=Californians all over the Western US. Have yet to meet the one who wanted to move back to "Greece with better guacamole"...
Uh, no, over the years I've met hundreds of emigrant ex=Californians all over the Western US. Have yet to meet the one who wanted to move back to "Greece with better guacamole"...
1
Proud to be a Californian! Jerry Brown is an excellent Governor and we are blessed to have him. I love the tree lined streets, bike paths and green belts throughout Folsom. It's good example of responsible urban development making a wonderful place to live. Nothing nicer than seeing the snow covered Sierras in the distance from Folsom on a clear day. We have been able to see that most "not rainy" days this year. I feel so lucky to live in a state that will stand up to Trump.
39
Thank you, California. You are a shining light of reality, resistance, and hope in this grim new Trumpian world. Keep up the good work.
42
The affect that California's energy policy will have on climate fluctuations is statistically nil. The resulting higher energy costs and the negative economic effect of these policies, however, will hurt the poor and fixed income residents.
But then again poverty has never been a priority for the left. Feeling good about themselves is their highest priority regardless of the pain it causes the poor.
This and the new taxes California is proposing to pay for universal health care will cause businesses to either lay off workers or leave the state on a quicker pace than they are leaving now.
Texas will welcome the businesses with open arms.
But then again poverty has never been a priority for the left. Feeling good about themselves is their highest priority regardless of the pain it causes the poor.
This and the new taxes California is proposing to pay for universal health care will cause businesses to either lay off workers or leave the state on a quicker pace than they are leaving now.
Texas will welcome the businesses with open arms.
I live downwind from California and I'm grateful for their efforts at keeping their and my air clean.
38
Too bad about all those coal plants in Utah and New Mexico (aka upwind from you) that sell the Californians 22% of their electricity... they use that to charge all those "Zero Emissions" Teslas.
Yet another Jerry Brown puff piece in the NYTimes. Consider that CA has the following:
highest state income taxes
poor performing K-12 schools
universities that you can't get your kid into (even when you've paid states taxes your entire working life)
limited water storage capacity (and none planned)
homeless in very city and town
3-4mm illegal aliens
highest energy prices
limited highway capacity and high road congestion
highest state income taxes
poor performing K-12 schools
universities that you can't get your kid into (even when you've paid states taxes your entire working life)
limited water storage capacity (and none planned)
homeless in very city and town
3-4mm illegal aliens
highest energy prices
limited highway capacity and high road congestion
9
These criticisms are shallow and not in context...
yes California has a lot of homeless people - because weather is good enough to live outside most of the year and can't go any further west... plus California is fairly tolerant of homeless people and some cities offer services to them.
yes UC California is hard to get into - because they are world reknown Universities and most students with decent high school grades can go to CA State colleges instead plus any Californian can go to a CA community college for 2 years and transfer to a UC if they have decent grades...
yes there a lot of illegal immigrants - because their labor is needed by the Central valley farms or there would be no one to pick the crops - are your kids planning to pick lettuce for a living?
California bashing is a sport to some, but the reality is it a wonderful beautiful progressive state that people want to live in and that is why it is expensive and in some parts crowded.
yes California has a lot of homeless people - because weather is good enough to live outside most of the year and can't go any further west... plus California is fairly tolerant of homeless people and some cities offer services to them.
yes UC California is hard to get into - because they are world reknown Universities and most students with decent high school grades can go to CA State colleges instead plus any Californian can go to a CA community college for 2 years and transfer to a UC if they have decent grades...
yes there a lot of illegal immigrants - because their labor is needed by the Central valley farms or there would be no one to pick the crops - are your kids planning to pick lettuce for a living?
California bashing is a sport to some, but the reality is it a wonderful beautiful progressive state that people want to live in and that is why it is expensive and in some parts crowded.
11
Yea but doesn't the air in California smell sweet
6
highest incomes and amazing weather.
11
Yes California! Continue to fight this awful EPA slashing !!!
The FAILING Donald (Lame Duck) Trump yet again reveals his "character" with this terrible budget.
Trump and The Republics do not care about your water, soil or food. They do not care if you get poisoned, get sick and die.
Not only do they think the poor corporations should be unregulated to be able to pollute and poison us and our natural environment, but they also want to cut their taxes as well.
This "president" is immediately the worst President in U.S. history. So, of course his budget is the stupidest budget proposed as well.
But what do we expect from the sociopath-in-chief? They have admitted that they are here to "deconstruct" (destroy) our "state" (country). So here it is. Cut taxes so we cannot pay down debt, while destroying each and every department you can while you cling to office, while simultaneously inching us into more costly and endless wars to impoverish us even more.
When they nominated their appointees, including the EPA appointee, they admitted that they appointed these people because they were the enemies of those departments.
This is an anti-presidency. This budget is simply evil.
We the people need to stand up with states like California and protect the EPA. We need to demand SOMETHING from our government. They need to know that we expect something form them for our taxes except just war.
The EPA is essential to protecting the environment, our health, and our food.
The FAILING Donald (Lame Duck) Trump yet again reveals his "character" with this terrible budget.
Trump and The Republics do not care about your water, soil or food. They do not care if you get poisoned, get sick and die.
Not only do they think the poor corporations should be unregulated to be able to pollute and poison us and our natural environment, but they also want to cut their taxes as well.
This "president" is immediately the worst President in U.S. history. So, of course his budget is the stupidest budget proposed as well.
But what do we expect from the sociopath-in-chief? They have admitted that they are here to "deconstruct" (destroy) our "state" (country). So here it is. Cut taxes so we cannot pay down debt, while destroying each and every department you can while you cling to office, while simultaneously inching us into more costly and endless wars to impoverish us even more.
When they nominated their appointees, including the EPA appointee, they admitted that they appointed these people because they were the enemies of those departments.
This is an anti-presidency. This budget is simply evil.
We the people need to stand up with states like California and protect the EPA. We need to demand SOMETHING from our government. They need to know that we expect something form them for our taxes except just war.
The EPA is essential to protecting the environment, our health, and our food.
21
Proud of Nor-cal in particular.
And happy that Arnie got his French gong for dragging the GOP towards recognizing the inconvenient truth.
And happy that Arnie got his French gong for dragging the GOP towards recognizing the inconvenient truth.
13
A main concern of leaders is how to take money from the poor, who are many, and who do not defend their money as well as the rich.
Climate change provides such means. Making gas and electricity expensive, like in California, affects disproportionately the poor. Adding insult to injury, they can be told that it is all for their own good.
That provides a huge slush fund to governors like Jerry Brown, tens of billions a year, to distribute to political friends, subsidize Tesla cars, etc. Reward political friends and punish enemies – what is there not to like, as a politician, about climate change. And when the poor complain, they are incongruously accused to be oil industry sellouts.
That is why the most vigorous pro climate action, the global effect of which action is basically nil, but which relieves guilt feelings, the most vigorous pro climate action is by Ted Lieu in Hollywood, and by Sheldon Whitehouse in Connecticut. The latter told Africans that the way to act on climate is exchange your Mercedes with a Tesla.
Poor Californians in Central Valley, who are the victims of climate action, know their interests and vote Republican.
As to resources, the national winds map shows that only the middle west, from the Dakotas down to Texas, has usable winds. California has only a few canyons with wind, where turbines butcher otherwise protected eagles and bats. Obama has made legal, by decree, the killing of 4300 bald eagles a year by every wind company, no questions asked.
Climate change provides such means. Making gas and electricity expensive, like in California, affects disproportionately the poor. Adding insult to injury, they can be told that it is all for their own good.
That provides a huge slush fund to governors like Jerry Brown, tens of billions a year, to distribute to political friends, subsidize Tesla cars, etc. Reward political friends and punish enemies – what is there not to like, as a politician, about climate change. And when the poor complain, they are incongruously accused to be oil industry sellouts.
That is why the most vigorous pro climate action, the global effect of which action is basically nil, but which relieves guilt feelings, the most vigorous pro climate action is by Ted Lieu in Hollywood, and by Sheldon Whitehouse in Connecticut. The latter told Africans that the way to act on climate is exchange your Mercedes with a Tesla.
Poor Californians in Central Valley, who are the victims of climate action, know their interests and vote Republican.
As to resources, the national winds map shows that only the middle west, from the Dakotas down to Texas, has usable winds. California has only a few canyons with wind, where turbines butcher otherwise protected eagles and bats. Obama has made legal, by decree, the killing of 4300 bald eagles a year by every wind company, no questions asked.
5
"Darian" is the pseudonym of a math professor who believes 200 years of climate science is a Communist plot. That's a scar from his birthplace. So he misrepresents (and also calls the Plains states the Midwest)
Here's the wind map for the United States. At this page, click on the image for wind potential at 100 meters, because that's were turbines are being built now. 100-meter wind potential along the Pacific, Gulf and Atlantic and Great Lakes coasts (near most of our population) is as good as the truly colossal extent of good wind potential along the Plains.
Land-based turbines are cheaper to build, but offshore turbines can be bigger so you need far fewer. Cost to build them is also dropping rapidly as the industry gains experience.
Map here- check the map at "U.S. 100m Wind Speed Map"
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/wind.html
Wind, solar, batteries and energy efficiency are the fastest growing parts of the energy system - providing jobs, and reducing in cost year after year. The poor will benefit from the jobs, the cheaper power, and especially from the cleaner air - as the Republican leadership seems intent on reducing healthcare access AND pollution controls at the same time.
Here's the wind map for the United States. At this page, click on the image for wind potential at 100 meters, because that's were turbines are being built now. 100-meter wind potential along the Pacific, Gulf and Atlantic and Great Lakes coasts (near most of our population) is as good as the truly colossal extent of good wind potential along the Plains.
Land-based turbines are cheaper to build, but offshore turbines can be bigger so you need far fewer. Cost to build them is also dropping rapidly as the industry gains experience.
Map here- check the map at "U.S. 100m Wind Speed Map"
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/wind.html
Wind, solar, batteries and energy efficiency are the fastest growing parts of the energy system - providing jobs, and reducing in cost year after year. The poor will benefit from the jobs, the cheaper power, and especially from the cleaner air - as the Republican leadership seems intent on reducing healthcare access AND pollution controls at the same time.
9
"As to resources, the national winds map shows that only the middle west, from the Dakotas down to Texas, has usable winds." You need to go back and look at the maps a little more carefully. First, you are ignoring offshore resources, which are substantial and second, while the resources in regions outside " the middle west, from the Dakotas down to Texas" constitute about 69% of US capacity, the rest of the US has the remaining 31%, so there clearly are usable winds in other parts of the country. Your data on eagle kills by wind turbines is absurdly inflated. The 4200 kills is the maximum ALLOWED number OVER 30 YEARS in the future. It is not the number that are currently killed per year. There is no reason to believe that this number will actually ever be killed. It also includes kills associated with power lines, not just wind turbines. Many times more eagles are killed buy gunshots and poison than by wind turbines, so if you are really so concerned about Eagles you should be in favor of taking guns away from hunters.
7
I think you're a little confused. Nothing in his history suggests that Jerry Brown's goal in life is to take money from the poor and give to the rich. A better match would be Donald Trum - and by the way those Central Valley farmers who voted for Trump, are only now, somehow, starting to realize that they're going to lose a of the labor they use to gather their crops
11
I support anything that thwarts Trump. Jerry Brown may have a political agenda but it is unlikely. CA has a history of strong efforts to resolve the issue of pollution and now global warming. The GOP loves erasing regulations regardless of the harm to Public safety. Someone must stand up against this fight to deregulate environmental safeguards by the blindness to environmental change exhibited by the near sighted Republicans.
17
Trump and the coalsters are sure not going to beat California in California. And then there are the east-coast sort-of-californias: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont to a quirky degree.
Like California New York state is its own ISO, and only 1% of New York's electricity came from coal-fired plants last year. Next year will be less.
On first look New York is not so far behind California: CA generated about 27% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2016, New York generated 25%.
Cuomo's 50-30 plan (50% renewable energy by 2030) matches Jerry Brown's, but there is nothing like Leon's 100-45 plan.
But on closer look it's not so easy forNew York: its renewable generation is overwhelmingly hydro, that cannot be expanded much. In 2016 wind generated 3% and everything else 2%. New York has fair wind resource on land, and mediocre solar resource: latitude and no desert (that is mediated in part by latitude).
New York is much farther from 50-30 than California; Cuomo's plan is much more aspirational without a clear way it will be met.
Nonetheless -- the "little californias" strengthen the resistance to Trump and Pruitt. Remember it was "Mass v. EPA" just because MA filed first ... it was CA, CN, MA, NY ... and they won.
Pruitt won't try to rescind the CO2 endangerment finding. That's astute on his part, because it would be hopeless. But without doing that, or without Congress legislating a CO2 exemption, the coalsters cannot win.
Like California New York state is its own ISO, and only 1% of New York's electricity came from coal-fired plants last year. Next year will be less.
On first look New York is not so far behind California: CA generated about 27% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2016, New York generated 25%.
Cuomo's 50-30 plan (50% renewable energy by 2030) matches Jerry Brown's, but there is nothing like Leon's 100-45 plan.
But on closer look it's not so easy forNew York: its renewable generation is overwhelmingly hydro, that cannot be expanded much. In 2016 wind generated 3% and everything else 2%. New York has fair wind resource on land, and mediocre solar resource: latitude and no desert (that is mediated in part by latitude).
New York is much farther from 50-30 than California; Cuomo's plan is much more aspirational without a clear way it will be met.
Nonetheless -- the "little californias" strengthen the resistance to Trump and Pruitt. Remember it was "Mass v. EPA" just because MA filed first ... it was CA, CN, MA, NY ... and they won.
Pruitt won't try to rescind the CO2 endangerment finding. That's astute on his part, because it would be hopeless. But without doing that, or without Congress legislating a CO2 exemption, the coalsters cannot win.
2
What you don't seem to understand is the level to which the state of CA 'pads' its numbers....
it's busily building natural gas plants, even while talking up 'renewables'.
The level of imported electricity is WAY up.... over 25%. And, most of that is coal from plants in Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.
There is a recent Forbes article (SEARCH Forbes california imported electricity) that underscores how badly out of synch the reality is from what Brown claims.
Like the $1 Trillion missing from the pension funds, the power gap is too galling even to talk about in polite political discussion.
it's busily building natural gas plants, even while talking up 'renewables'.
The level of imported electricity is WAY up.... over 25%. And, most of that is coal from plants in Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.
There is a recent Forbes article (SEARCH Forbes california imported electricity) that underscores how badly out of synch the reality is from what Brown claims.
Like the $1 Trillion missing from the pension funds, the power gap is too galling even to talk about in polite political discussion.
Thank you California. Someone has to stand up to the death and destruction that is the Republican party.
8
jerry brown rocks
8
While no doubt satisfying for opposing camps to argue whether global warming is man-made and what the effects of global warming will be, and while most agree we should generate as much electricity as we can from sun and wind, and less-greenhouse-gas-emitting sources, the fact is that mankind has reached the point of no return. In a report published in Nature on 12/01/2016 by T.W. Crowther, et al., the authors conclude that the huge amount of carbon stored in the soil has been put on an irreversible path of release--initiated by man-made global warming. The more that is released from soil and anthropogenic sources the warmer the atmosphere becomes, and such warming in turn causes the release of more carbon from the soil. The consensus among environmental scientists is that we will not hold global warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels, as to do so would require mankind to reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions before the end of the century. Such consensus was already in place in 2014, before scientists really factored in the 800-pound guerilla of emissions being released from warming soil. The arctic is warming at a faster rate, comparatively, than, say, Kansas or Nebraska, and the amount of carbon stored in the permafrost is immense. Reports produced by the World Bank more than three years ago predicted a 7.2-degrees-Fahrenheit increase by 2100. But who knows, I didn't think the Patriots would win the Super Bowl.
Jerry Brown is the only politician who has never disappointed me.
4
Climate "change"--something that's been happening for several billion years on a daily basis--in the hands of our governor Moonbeam, his legion of Lenin's Children of the Bay Area and armed with a "battery of state lawyers"--"that's a political agenda" on the march, for certain, Maoist in its blind obsession to "control" what it can't, climate. California citizens is another issue.
Pshaw--"climate change" is just another means for Moonbeam's relentless pursuit of his egalitarian dystopia. Where's Ronstadt when he needs her--"flowers" to Trump's White House?
Pshaw--"climate change" is just another means for Moonbeam's relentless pursuit of his egalitarian dystopia. Where's Ronstadt when he needs her--"flowers" to Trump's White House?
2
Oh give it a rest. Better yet, pop up to Glacier National Park & take a look at where the glaciers used to be. Yes, the climate is always changing, no-one denies that. The speed of change has increased exponentially since we started using fossil fuels in large quantities. Go look at what's left of those glaciers soon because they are disappearing before our eyes.
39
Dear Alice,
It does not even matter if climate change is from human sources. What matters is if we can help to preserve the climate which is good for humans and all the living things we care for in our world as we know it today.
It seems apparent that we have contributed to climate change, but even if we didn't, I think it is intelligent to try to cleanup pollution, stop dumping chemicals into the air and water, and generally do what we can to mitigate the negative change in the climate we see now.
The Republican stance is unintelligent. To simply say, well change always happens so why try to help, is akin to saying, well I'm going die anyway so why try to stay alive. Illogical and unhelpful.
It does not even matter if climate change is from human sources. What matters is if we can help to preserve the climate which is good for humans and all the living things we care for in our world as we know it today.
It seems apparent that we have contributed to climate change, but even if we didn't, I think it is intelligent to try to cleanup pollution, stop dumping chemicals into the air and water, and generally do what we can to mitigate the negative change in the climate we see now.
The Republican stance is unintelligent. To simply say, well change always happens so why try to help, is akin to saying, well I'm going die anyway so why try to stay alive. Illogical and unhelpful.
1
*rolls eyes* (if only emoticons could be used here)
4
Some states like California look forward and address the future, while other states (the South) are focused backwards on protecting statutes celebrating traitors from the 1860s. Any surprise then that the southern states are the biggest moochers off the federal government? Taxes paid vs spending by state: http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/02/california-federal-taxes-spe...
or % of the states' budget that is paid by federal government: https://taxfoundation.org/states-rely-most-federal-aid/
The lesson is that it is important to be focused on the future and not the past.
or % of the states' budget that is paid by federal government: https://taxfoundation.org/states-rely-most-federal-aid/
The lesson is that it is important to be focused on the future and not the past.
8
One of every three dollars spent by the Feds in the last 10 years have been "borrowed" so I wouldn't rely too heavily on that "We Californians don't get our money's worth from taxes" tired trope...
It is actually 23% over the past 10 years (7895 trillion deficit / 3433 trillion spending), but if you look at 2016 the hole is 15% of spending. The bottom line is where is the leaky bucket where the water is draining out? Look no further than the mostly GOP states that talk about "small government" but really mean that the Feds bail them out. We are like a country that invests in stocks that are losing money instead of investing wisely in states where we can get a good return on investment.
Proud of Jerry Brown and of being a Californian. We are on the right side of history.
15
One of Trump's many problems is that he promised to reopen the closed, dilapidated factories and bring back the high paying jobs in the greenhouse-gas-producing industries -- and the now unemployed, blue collar workers believed him. Of course, Trump will find it impossible to honor his word, but he can't support climate change because his broken promise would then be blatantly obvious. He also needs someone to blame when the jobs don't return: the "environmentalists." And sadly, I don't think Trump can comprehend the science behind global warming. Our largest state's strong anti-Trump stance to curb climate change is a breath of fresh air. California here we come!
4
The US commitment under Paris accords was already beyond pathetic, basically a promise that Americans will keep polluting at ONLY 3-4 times the level of the rest of the world, on the sole rationale that we've become used to doing it. To renege on even that commitment is just beyond the pale. Trump will soon face a united front of world leaders who won't give him a deal on anything, unless there is a climate deal.
15
Thank you, NY Times for this excellent article. And, thanks too, to Governor Brown. Having lived in California for over 4 decades, I admire Governor Brown's work enormously. He was very wise to hire Mr. Holder to represent the State in the coming litigation.
Climate denial lives on in Trump's head, but not for anyone else with a sane mind, and who spends any amount of time outdoors. It is SO encouraging to have Canada AND Mexico join in this endeavor to cut back Global Warming, and to save this Planet for future generations.
And, in thinking of that ~ the West Coast (Left Coast) has always been my kind of place - not for LA's freeways, necessarily, but for the overall attitude and embrace of clean energy policies. I think Robert Lapsley is 100% wrong about businesses moving out of California to avoid their tough environmental regulations. Ambitious and intelligent Industries will create more renewable and non-polluting sources of energy, AND good jobs, in California.
As the 6th largest economy in the World, California has some clout, here. Since Trump is taking America into a very dark hole - I favor the idea of America's West Coast; ALL of Oregon, Washington & California, to secede from the United States. Call it The State of Jefferson, or what you will, but my idea of America's best legislators no longer dwell in Washington DC. One of the best "Public Servants" that we have is the Governor of California.
May California's effort lead our Nation to a better day.
Climate denial lives on in Trump's head, but not for anyone else with a sane mind, and who spends any amount of time outdoors. It is SO encouraging to have Canada AND Mexico join in this endeavor to cut back Global Warming, and to save this Planet for future generations.
And, in thinking of that ~ the West Coast (Left Coast) has always been my kind of place - not for LA's freeways, necessarily, but for the overall attitude and embrace of clean energy policies. I think Robert Lapsley is 100% wrong about businesses moving out of California to avoid their tough environmental regulations. Ambitious and intelligent Industries will create more renewable and non-polluting sources of energy, AND good jobs, in California.
As the 6th largest economy in the World, California has some clout, here. Since Trump is taking America into a very dark hole - I favor the idea of America's West Coast; ALL of Oregon, Washington & California, to secede from the United States. Call it The State of Jefferson, or what you will, but my idea of America's best legislators no longer dwell in Washington DC. One of the best "Public Servants" that we have is the Governor of California.
May California's effort lead our Nation to a better day.
3
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/
Census shows California is still the hub of U.S. poverty
"….an alternative measure that includes the cost of living shows California has the highest poverty rate of any state. Nearly 8 million residents — 20.6 percent of the total population — are stuck in financial desperation. The biggest reason is the extreme cost of housing…… So expect your children to keep moving away. Expect more homelessness and more emotional tales of professionals and even high school students relocating to far-away homes. This is California, the capital of poverty — and political callousness."
Census shows California is still the hub of U.S. poverty
"….an alternative measure that includes the cost of living shows California has the highest poverty rate of any state. Nearly 8 million residents — 20.6 percent of the total population — are stuck in financial desperation. The biggest reason is the extreme cost of housing…… So expect your children to keep moving away. Expect more homelessness and more emotional tales of professionals and even high school students relocating to far-away homes. This is California, the capital of poverty — and political callousness."
Based upon world action, especially China and India, it has been expected that we will blow past the desired 1.5 deg C limit. A new paper suggests that we may do so within 10 years due to changes in the Pacific Ocean which have been limiting an increase to date.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/earth-1-half-degrees-global-war...
Even without the effect of the IPO, the scientists said that global mean temperatures were expected to “pass the 1.5C warming mark within the next 10 to 15 years” under a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario for greenhouse gas emissions as a result of human activity.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-to-halt-construction-on...
"However, these new measures fall far short of even halting the build-up of overcapacity in coal-fired power generation, let alone beginning to reduce it," he said.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-04/agu-icp042517.php
"India's proposed coal plants will almost single-handedly jeopardize the internationally agreed-upon climate target of avoiding 1.5 degrees Celsius of mean global warming," Davis said.
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/earth-1-half-degrees-global-war...
Even without the effect of the IPO, the scientists said that global mean temperatures were expected to “pass the 1.5C warming mark within the next 10 to 15 years” under a ‘business-as-usual’ scenario for greenhouse gas emissions as a result of human activity.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/china-to-halt-construction-on...
"However, these new measures fall far short of even halting the build-up of overcapacity in coal-fired power generation, let alone beginning to reduce it," he said.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-04/agu-icp042517.php
"India's proposed coal plants will almost single-handedly jeopardize the internationally agreed-upon climate target of avoiding 1.5 degrees Celsius of mean global warming," Davis said.
6
"Robert C. Lapsley... California Business Roundtable... said... 'There is no question that businesses are going to move out.' " I wonder what Lapsley thinks businesses will do if sea level rises. Stay put? Recently, Nature Scientific Reports published a study that found previous studies had underestimated flood damage due to sea level rise by not accounting properly for greater access by waves to human structures. Quote: "The... sea-level rise expected no later than 2050 will more than double the frequency of extreme water-level events in the Tropics, impairing... coastal cities and the habitability of low-lying... island nations." This was partly funded by NOAA, which issued a press release of the study. NOAA, however, requested the Scientists remove a line from the release, saying that the sea level rise they expected was due to Climate Change. NOAA was no doubt following a previous finding from the eminent climatologist Dr Donald Trump that Climate Change cannot be related to sea level rise because that would be inconvenient to Trumps funders.
13
For every business that moves out, three will move in. Why? High degree of intellectual capital, exceptional climate, and natural beauty. If anyone thinks a business would prefer to situate in, say, flatland Houston, which is humid, ugly, and highly segregated, be my guest and pay the super-high property taxes while you're there sweating profusely until you can't stand it any longer.
1
Glad to be a Californian. CA will trump Pruitt and his cronies in the oil & gas industries at the end of the day. Business Roundtable says businesses will move out of CA to less regulated states. That may be, but, for those same companies to make money, I guess, they have to sell in CA. It is a choice businesses have to make. Make money or not! Emulate Oklahoma or not! Nothing against Oklahomans, but, they could be a little smarter in demanding their state government protect their state better.
21
You might want to check out the trillion dollars CA will be collecting from you to pay their pension debts.
Texas, despite the Californian 'preening' leads the nation in wind production, with Oklahoma close behind. Meanwhile CA is 'all in' on a train to nowhere and a power source that only runs 5 hours a day...
Texas, despite the Californian 'preening' leads the nation in wind production, with Oklahoma close behind. Meanwhile CA is 'all in' on a train to nowhere and a power source that only runs 5 hours a day...
2
Trillions. Lol.
3
When last I looked, a goodly portion of the US was downwind from the West Coast.
The cleaner our air is, the cleaner your air can be, if the troglodytes don't have their way...
The cleaner our air is, the cleaner your air can be, if the troglodytes don't have their way...
29
Pruitt, Kansas, Dust Storm, three chapters proving God is right about hell.
5
California some 50 years ago already figured out that air, surface-, and ground water all were related and all needed to be protected simultaneously - courtesy Ronald Reagan and Porter-Cologne Act. Suddenly LA, SF, Central Valley, and San Diego were the place to be. The only obstacle was the EPA who never heard of groundwater and just couldn't figure out what to tell Mexico when the Colorado River passed trough there picking up junk before entering California.
4
Some of that figuring out, at least in the 70s, was Jerry Brown's foresight on these matters.
9
Does the Colorado pass through Mexico on its way to California? I'm pretty sure not, although it forms the border of Cali/Arizona for a while. Do you mean it empties in the Gulf of California, which is in Mexico?
1
Horse manure, nothing meaningful can be done until half of the Worlds population magically disappears, the rest is just blowing in the wind!
3
Thank you California. You have no idea how happy you have just made me. @johannaclear @freezuccotti
9
Climate change means more snow where I live. I like snow, so I like climate change. Please leave climate change alone.
The management at Squaw Valley are planning for skiing straight through into next winter. A 550-day non stop ski season.
That's climate change I can believe in !
The management at Squaw Valley are planning for skiing straight through into next winter. A 550-day non stop ski season.
That's climate change I can believe in !
3
Dan I am not sure where you live in Massachusetts, but here in Boston our summers are becoming unbearable. Where I lived happily without air conditioning for 40 years, I couldn't stand to be without it now. Our beautiful summers are becoming too hot and too humid.
9
No air conditioner in 1983 and 1994 ? Those summers in Boston were hotter than 2016.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/09/01/was-hottest-august-ever-bos...
https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/09/01/was-hottest-august-ever-bos...
2
Dan.......you would doom species, risk our national security (see Pentagon analysis), displace untold numbers of people the world over, create food and water shortages, condemn people to suffer worse storms, weather extremes, floods and droughts and ruin life on earth for future generations........because you like skiing? That's the reasoning of a 5 year old.
3
Meet the real Terminator . . . Governor Moonbeam. Schwarzenegger looks like a 20 pound weakling compared to Jerry.
3
Now let me see: Science? Or science deniers? Which of these two can lead us to a better, cleaner future?
I'm so proud of California I might just move back!
I'm so proud of California I might just move back!
19
Please do. Most though, like you, have already taken the smart decision to move out and leave the place to the 1% and the illegal immigrants that cut their grass and clean their windows.
1
Tom you seem not to like Calif. Perhaps you should consider moving to a state you like better. Me, I love Calif and our governor.
8
I can't imagine why you would choose to live in a state you despise so much.
2
Trump and Pruitt are the worst offenders in trying to destroy Mother Earth, by their 'willful' and arrogant ignorance in negating what is obvious to most of us, the awful changes due to Climate Change (the increased severity and frequency of droughts and floods). Ignorance 'per se' is not 'evil' if we are willing to learn, educate ourselves in the facts, and recognize the empirical evidence of natural disasters enhanced by our greed. What is an insult to reason and common sense is the denial of the evidence, as Trump and Pruitt seem intent in doing, and harming the livelihood of the poorest countries, innocent of the carbon spewing of industrialized affluent nations, with no regard to innocent human beings caught in the middle. Removing sensible regulations so the culprits may continue to contaminate the environment is a crime to humanity. As they say, there is no worse blind that the one that doesn't want to see, especially if being paid to 'not know'. To think 'we' put these ignoramuses in power makes me shudder.
2
Since I visit San Diego regularly, let me just inject a little realism into this comment stream. The car culture is the over-riding fact of life in southern California. The highways and parking lots that cover the landscape raise the temperature, not to mention of course all of the oil & gas drilling and emissions. Sure, a few people have electric cars. And a few Californians undoubtedly try not to waste water, yet here in what is basically desert, automatic sprinklers keep lawns and golf courses emerald green 24-7. BTW, Governor Jerry Brown is a tool of the FIRE sector and Big Oil. He also vetoed single payer health care after the CA legislature passed it. So New Yorkers, try not to gush too much.
5
southern california isn't the whole state. during the drought california reduced water usage by 25%. single payer is still in the legislature but not looking too good since it would cost a fortune.
4
Please don't judge California via San Diego. San Diego is the most conservative of the major cities in CA and is more influenced by the military and Republicans than LA and SF.
1
Yeah, most of the cheerleaders on this thread have no idea how miserable day-to-day life is these days in The Golden State.
1
It's funny to read all these odes to Calfornia's "leadership", a state with little mass transit, a rising carbon footprint (they are building many fossil fuel power plants to replace the lost energy from the closure of their nuclear plants-- you'll never glean that in all the "California goes solar" PR pieces, will you?), snarled traffic literally EVERYWHERE, the epicenter of mortgage crisis and municipal bankruptcies and a trillion dollars of unfunded pension debt.
Taxes are high, services are poor, the middle class is fleeing. As measured by interstate 'migration' THREE times as many people move OUT as into the state. The highest rates of poverty, homeless everywhere you look. This is the future? PLLEEASE.
Prop 13 killed this state.... as the universities deteriorate and the infrastructure crumbles the politicians continue to make false declarations
Taxes are high, services are poor, the middle class is fleeing. As measured by interstate 'migration' THREE times as many people move OUT as into the state. The highest rates of poverty, homeless everywhere you look. This is the future? PLLEEASE.
Prop 13 killed this state.... as the universities deteriorate and the infrastructure crumbles the politicians continue to make false declarations
4
Say you from one of the wealthiest communities in CA. I wonder where your dystopian vision of our state comes from: Fox News or Russia Today? Your statistics are way out of date, and most of the awful things you mention came under the Republican regimes of Pete Wilson, and (though not as bad) Schwarzenegger.
2
As a fellow Californian, I can say that you are poorly informed. You can join any number of local groups to become educated regarding climate and energy policy in the state: 350.org or the League of Women Voter are two.
Services like medical care far exceed those in low tax states. Go take a look at Utah or Idaho.
People use their California real estate to retire. It has been like that for decades.
The homeless mentally ill migrate to California. A complicated issue.
Prop 13 depleted our coffers. There is a currently modest proposal for it's reform. Will you support it?
Services like medical care far exceed those in low tax states. Go take a look at Utah or Idaho.
People use their California real estate to retire. It has been like that for decades.
The homeless mentally ill migrate to California. A complicated issue.
Prop 13 depleted our coffers. There is a currently modest proposal for it's reform. Will you support it?
3
Uh, you are just plain wrong on the energy policy--- if you bother to look at the EIA data, you'll notice that our dependence in CA on fossil fuels in the electrical supply climbed from 55% 10 years ago to almost 70% last year.
Misprint you claim? Sorry, no. the loss of 20% of the state's supply from nuclear (Diablo's on the chopping block, San Onofre's gone, as are the plants up north.) has been made up by a massive push to build natural gas power plants.
(SEARCH Oxnard power plant proposal and Carlsbad power plant protest)
We now have a surplus in electrical supply of 21%. That's by design, since we like to talk about being "all renewables and all-in on solar". But, it's all natural gas. Which is why two-face-Jerry talks a good environmental game, but won't block fracking. He NEEDS fracking to keep the lights on.
Too bad it will be that way for a long, long time since we need power 24 hours a day, but want to put all our eggs into the "5 hours a day on a good day" basket.
As for this "People use their California real estate to retire" the main flaws in Prop 13 are the failure to keep corporate and commercial interests from exploiting it....
and allowing so many families (millions) to avoid taxes and probate on Granny's house-- while paying taxes on Granny's mansion at a 1978 rate. It's crazy, but that's California.
"We talk a good game, but we're bankrupt"
Misprint you claim? Sorry, no. the loss of 20% of the state's supply from nuclear (Diablo's on the chopping block, San Onofre's gone, as are the plants up north.) has been made up by a massive push to build natural gas power plants.
(SEARCH Oxnard power plant proposal and Carlsbad power plant protest)
We now have a surplus in electrical supply of 21%. That's by design, since we like to talk about being "all renewables and all-in on solar". But, it's all natural gas. Which is why two-face-Jerry talks a good environmental game, but won't block fracking. He NEEDS fracking to keep the lights on.
Too bad it will be that way for a long, long time since we need power 24 hours a day, but want to put all our eggs into the "5 hours a day on a good day" basket.
As for this "People use their California real estate to retire" the main flaws in Prop 13 are the failure to keep corporate and commercial interests from exploiting it....
and allowing so many families (millions) to avoid taxes and probate on Granny's house-- while paying taxes on Granny's mansion at a 1978 rate. It's crazy, but that's California.
"We talk a good game, but we're bankrupt"
As an Oregonian, it pains me to say this, but: lead on California.
12
I think it is very important that the citizens support their governors and mayors in their resistance to the horrible, dangerous defunding and reversing of social welfare and climate change progress we have made. Trump is only set on reversing any bill that has been signed by Obama. He has an unexplainable obsession with Obama and signs anything with his signature on it. Swish of the pen! and it's gone!!!! Bizarre!
8
Kudos to California: please keep leading. As for Detroit, my next car will be an electric one; if you can't build it, Tesla will - in California.
As for Canada, if you were all in, Ms. McKenna, you would shut down the Alberta tar sands mining operation - just turning it into petroleum emits huge amounts of greenhouse gases.
As for Canada, if you were all in, Ms. McKenna, you would shut down the Alberta tar sands mining operation - just turning it into petroleum emits huge amounts of greenhouse gases.
1
Again trump spews whatever tale suits his pathetic cynical agenda. States' rights are good one day and evil the next. Hopefully California and other states can band together to forge ahead with a progressive agenda not only on the environment but immigration and healthcare to name just a few of the crucial policy areas trump seeks to gut. This man is so clueless he doesn't see how many lives he puts in danger! IMPEACH TRUMP/PENCE NOW!
9
Americans have a highly attuned sensitivity to terrorism. There seems to be no end to the lengths we will take to prevent the loss of a single life due to a bomb or a bullet. (I'm not arguing that the loss of life from terrorism should be ignored.)
Yet, when the Trump Administration puts forward policies (e.g., abandoning the Paris climate accord, repealing ACA, cutting medicaid, ending restrictions on gun ownership by people with mental illness) that will directly lead to tens of thousands of deaths per year, we choose not to label these acts as the premeditated evil that they really are. Wake up America. Your government is literally killing you.
Yet, when the Trump Administration puts forward policies (e.g., abandoning the Paris climate accord, repealing ACA, cutting medicaid, ending restrictions on gun ownership by people with mental illness) that will directly lead to tens of thousands of deaths per year, we choose not to label these acts as the premeditated evil that they really are. Wake up America. Your government is literally killing you.
14
Trump and his band of heartless, clueless republicans are already fast becoming the laughing stocks of history and it will be California who outlaste and outshines them all.
Jerry Brown is a state treasure and the epitome of public servant. From his training as a Jesuit priest through his days as Governor "Moonbeam" to his humble days as Oakland's mayor to his current governorship, he's always put the people and future of California first and we love him for it. He's the model of centrist, progressive pragmatism this country needs; able and willing to chastise and restrain the far left elements of the Democratic state legislature as well as stand up to Trump and the far right national elements currently masquerading as Republicans.
He's really done so much to shore up the state and prepare it for the inevitable change the future is already bringing and Californians like me not only welcome that change but are eagerly awaiting it. The future belongs to us, Trump and the GOP belong to the past.
Even Arnold knows it: "“Saying you’ll bring coal plants back is the past...It’s like saying you’ll bring Blockbuster back, which is the past. Horses and buggies, which is the past. Pagers back, which is the past.”
Jerry Brown is a state treasure and the epitome of public servant. From his training as a Jesuit priest through his days as Governor "Moonbeam" to his humble days as Oakland's mayor to his current governorship, he's always put the people and future of California first and we love him for it. He's the model of centrist, progressive pragmatism this country needs; able and willing to chastise and restrain the far left elements of the Democratic state legislature as well as stand up to Trump and the far right national elements currently masquerading as Republicans.
He's really done so much to shore up the state and prepare it for the inevitable change the future is already bringing and Californians like me not only welcome that change but are eagerly awaiting it. The future belongs to us, Trump and the GOP belong to the past.
Even Arnold knows it: "“Saying you’ll bring coal plants back is the past...It’s like saying you’ll bring Blockbuster back, which is the past. Horses and buggies, which is the past. Pagers back, which is the past.”
14
Your reporters need to do their homework. Brown has asked Trumps's administration to waive rules blocking fracking. Brown's family and the CA democratic party are in hock to the fossil fuel industry. Meanwhile the high profile Brown flies off to France to reaffirm the Paris accords. Well, hypocrisy is at least a tribute to virtue, so maybe I shouldn't complain too much, but neither should it, and the deep problems it it keeps from the attention of the presumably informed, be overlooked.
4
C'mon, California - secede already. You know you want to! I'm sure most of the coastal states of the US would follow your lead.
4
California secede? I guess you mean the Blue counties, which are largely on the coastal strip, see the House 2016 election results. If just Blue California seceded it wouldn't have much food, energy, water, etc., as so many of the resources are inland in the Red counties. Transportation would also be a problem. Kind of like the Capital and the Districts. In fact the wealth inequality is so extreme that California has been called an example of 'liberal apartheid', and while that may be harsh the term seems appropriate in light of the migrant tent camps in canyons between the houses in Rancho Santa Fe when I lived in the San Diego area.
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/house?mcubz=0
https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/house?mcubz=0
2
" I Wish They All Could Be California..."
- The Beach Boys
- The Beach Boys
9
If the working people involved in the oil industry in the Gulf States are pleased that Trump's helping them vs. renewables, that's not a given - especially if you aren't one of the wealthy who will benefit with huuge tax breaks from actions like the one below:
"Trump budget kills offshore oil revenue sharing for Louisiana, other Gulf states"
"President Donald Trump's proposed fiscal year 2018 budget calls for repealing the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which Louisiana officials have counted on to provide up to $140 million a year for coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects included in the coastal master plan.
According to summary tables provided to reporters by the White House Office of Management and Budget during an embargoed news conference on Monday, the Trump administration expects the repeal to save $272 million in 2018 by rescinding the sharing of about 35 percent of Gulf offshore revenue with Louisiana and other Gulf states. The money lost to Gulf states would total $3.56 billion through fiscal year 2027, according to the summary tables."
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/05/trump_budget_kills_offsho...
"Trump budget kills offshore oil revenue sharing for Louisiana, other Gulf states"
"President Donald Trump's proposed fiscal year 2018 budget calls for repealing the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, which Louisiana officials have counted on to provide up to $140 million a year for coastal restoration and hurricane protection projects included in the coastal master plan.
According to summary tables provided to reporters by the White House Office of Management and Budget during an embargoed news conference on Monday, the Trump administration expects the repeal to save $272 million in 2018 by rescinding the sharing of about 35 percent of Gulf offshore revenue with Louisiana and other Gulf states. The money lost to Gulf states would total $3.56 billion through fiscal year 2027, according to the summary tables."
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/05/trump_budget_kills_offsho...
5
It’s time for the rest of the world to play Trump’s game. He’s a businessman whose goal in any encounter is to win, and an economic boycott of the United States—though not California or other states that may have pro-climate policies—would certainly get not only his attention but the many businesses that benefit from trade.
3
Anyone reading this and wanting to do something to address climate change can find a chapter of the Citizen's Climate Lobby in their own state, most likely close to home. Their mission to convince Congress to adopt a policy called "carbon fee and dividend" is a sensible, bipartisan, market free solution that is gaining support in the House.
23
Thank you, Diane! I just went online and found my local chapter and registered. I had no idea they existed!
If folks in the Trump administration and the GOP at large are expecting 3% growth to support their magical tax cuts (that, and trickle down economics), then they should see growth in renewables and infrastructure upgrades to accommodate that growth as a way to obtain it.
Currently, we cannot move energy from where it is produced to where it is consumed and with high spring flows of water down the Columbia River, we have over production in the NW. There's only so much that CA can do by itself.
The GOP is making a colossal mistake, and taking their grandchildren and the rest of the world down with it. Fortunately, there are glimmers of hope. Besides CA's stance, there is the case against the Federal Government brought by high school Oregonians that seems to have made it through some important hurdles (see http://www.ourchildrenstrust.org).
Currently, we cannot move energy from where it is produced to where it is consumed and with high spring flows of water down the Columbia River, we have over production in the NW. There's only so much that CA can do by itself.
The GOP is making a colossal mistake, and taking their grandchildren and the rest of the world down with it. Fortunately, there are glimmers of hope. Besides CA's stance, there is the case against the Federal Government brought by high school Oregonians that seems to have made it through some important hurdles (see http://www.ourchildrenstrust.org).
3
Lead, follow, or get out of the way. It applies perfectly to Trump and the Republicans in climate change. We know they are not going to lead. They know what to do.
1
California, your leadership is truly appreciated.
Keep up the excellent work.
Thank you.
Keep up the excellent work.
Thank you.
14
Thank you Jerry Brown. Could you possibly wait to retire and run for President in 2020? The planet needs you.
My husband and I had thought of retiring in a cheaper tax state. However, with trump as president and the Republicans in charge, we think it is a better bet to stay in California than move to a non progressive state which has no protections against the evil incompetent administration.
My husband and I had thought of retiring in a cheaper tax state. However, with trump as president and the Republicans in charge, we think it is a better bet to stay in California than move to a non progressive state which has no protections against the evil incompetent administration.
10
Jerry's pushing 80. He's awesome, but he's earned some retirement. Of course, as a former seminary student, he works like someone 50 years younger.
3
Even India is cancelling coal fired power station in favour of solar energy farms. Mr Donald may have missed the news from China and India plus from other nations. It looks like the American federal government is play stand still or reverse mode. American industry appears to be moving ahead to the next generation of technology and away from coal. Has someone forgotten to tell Mr Donald ?
3
President Trump has proclaimed climate change as a covert and overt socioeconomic political educational plot of the People's Republic of China. No matter what Donald Trump says or believes rising seas and melting polar ice and glaciers are going to flood the American coastal cities and states first and foremost. Tectonic plates are ripping California apart.
1
That 1958 photo was still reality in my childhood of the 70s but no more. What California did, worked and I witnessed it with my own eyes and lungs!
11
What California is doing is wonderful, but why not partner with states like Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New York, into a Grown-up States Coalition that would have the fifth-largest economy in the world, not just the sixth?
If we all agreed to increase taxes by similar amounts on the superrich and on wealthy corporations we could do things like create a coalition-wide single payer health insurance system, and we would be an even stronger player on the international climate-change battle.
This would also eliminate the wealthy individual/corporate flight problem. Where would they go--Alabama?
If we all agreed to increase taxes by similar amounts on the superrich and on wealthy corporations we could do things like create a coalition-wide single payer health insurance system, and we would be an even stronger player on the international climate-change battle.
This would also eliminate the wealthy individual/corporate flight problem. Where would they go--Alabama?
18
Ohmygod, I love this suggestion! Yes, the Grown Up States coalition, just brilliant. The country is already splintering along these lines so let's pool our superior blue-state resources and leave the rest of the coal-fired, bible-thumping, antebellum-yearning country behind.
12
Great reporting on California's leadership on the most critical national security issue of our time. Governor Brown's policy team's leadership in California is the brightest and most enlightened stance on global warming. Governor Brown's initiatives can contribute both policy and technology to an intelligent future. President Trump and his government would be wise to follow California's lead.
I use an artist's depiction of Interstate 5, the major north-south highway that interconnects the populations of Washington State, Oregon and California as my signature to honor the idea of the late Senator Pat Moynihan who proposed the development of the Magnetic Levitated (Maglev) transport invented by Drs. James Powell and Gordon Danby. This remarkable system is the next generation freight and passenger system that can be the next generation transport for the US and the world and a huge job creator and boost to the economy. A boost because its superconducting system is much more efficient, making passenger travel and the transport of goods much cheaper.
Maglev will provide an enormous boost to the economy. Given the economic objectives of President Trump I am confident that he would be wise to demonstrate, test and compete this system with the other high speed rail efforts of the world.
There are no emissions from this system and it can ship goods and carry passengers much cheaper at 300 mph average speed. For Senator Moynihan's concept see www.magneticglide.com.
I use an artist's depiction of Interstate 5, the major north-south highway that interconnects the populations of Washington State, Oregon and California as my signature to honor the idea of the late Senator Pat Moynihan who proposed the development of the Magnetic Levitated (Maglev) transport invented by Drs. James Powell and Gordon Danby. This remarkable system is the next generation freight and passenger system that can be the next generation transport for the US and the world and a huge job creator and boost to the economy. A boost because its superconducting system is much more efficient, making passenger travel and the transport of goods much cheaper.
Maglev will provide an enormous boost to the economy. Given the economic objectives of President Trump I am confident that he would be wise to demonstrate, test and compete this system with the other high speed rail efforts of the world.
There are no emissions from this system and it can ship goods and carry passengers much cheaper at 300 mph average speed. For Senator Moynihan's concept see www.magneticglide.com.
4
I absolutely applaud California's efforts. Any business coalition that focuses solely on the cost side of the equation and not the benefit side is being disingenuous. Forward-looking business leaders have and will continue to move to places that offer an overall high quality of life for its employees.
4
If he ever has the guts to hold another press conference (and stay on hand for most of it) a reporter should ask him these two simple questions:
Mr. President, can you explain to the American people and to the rest of the world your justification for weakening environmental regulations and global agreements to the point where they are ineffective?
Can you give us any examples at all of ways you are working to fight planetary pollution?
Mr. President, can you explain to the American people and to the rest of the world your justification for weakening environmental regulations and global agreements to the point where they are ineffective?
Can you give us any examples at all of ways you are working to fight planetary pollution?
3
I am proud and grateful to live in California. I came here in the 1960s to escape bigotry and narrow-mindedness. I stayed because I've found acceptance and progressive thinking. I live in a county that wins accolades for clean air. We have our bigots and fools, who tout the sophistry of the short-sighted and indifferent, but luckily they're outnumbered.
6
The reality is that most of us here have lived under brown skies and smog alerts during inversions --- but we stopped that problem through determination. It's what Chinese cities are experiencing now. China is getting wise to this much faster than we did, mainly because of our example.
As far as the "fears" corporations blather on about California as a tough state to do business in... it's a ridiculous argument that businesses will leave because of "hyper-extremist" environmental laws. No businessman ever disdained a cash-filled trough. For every 1 business that runs away to avoid environmentalism, 100 newbies try to replace the vacated space.
As far as the "fears" corporations blather on about California as a tough state to do business in... it's a ridiculous argument that businesses will leave because of "hyper-extremist" environmental laws. No businessman ever disdained a cash-filled trough. For every 1 business that runs away to avoid environmentalism, 100 newbies try to replace the vacated space.
6
3 leave for every one that comes. That's the truth.
California is a hollowed out shell of itself-- all rich, liberal elites... and a massive number of those trying to make it in a land of poverty.
California is a hollowed out shell of itself-- all rich, liberal elites... and a massive number of those trying to make it in a land of poverty.
1
Still no proof, Tom.
Just leave already.
Just leave already.
2
Why were there no facts presented on the lessening of pollution in the USA over the past few decades? We as a country are doing better and polluting less and less every year, but this article makes it sound like we are getting worse.
4
Yes, one would think that the environment is worse today than it was in 1969 when you listen to the hysterics of some of the environmentalists. I can't remember the last time there was a smog alert in New York City. And they were common in the 60's.
1
Great article NYT, thank you.
This conflict is basically one of instilling forward thinking and a facing up to our responsibilities as adults versus a pathetically dishonest, regressive thinking predatory cronyism that is trying to squeeze every last penny out of the 99% and the environment we live in, out of the environment we depend on for our very existence. This is a battle that if not now threatens our very future as a nation, at the minimum threatens the legitimacy of our federal government for the foreseeable future.
California is trying to lead the nation into a prosperous economic future with greater development and use of renewable fuels. A course of action that will result in cleaner air and water for all, and a healthier human population.
Mr. Trump and the Republicans want to protect their wealth, bigotry, genderism, and racism at all costs, to include the 99%'s individual freedoms and right to a clean environment (there are meaningful "Freedoms" other than the 2nd Amendment and the beating of your fellow citizen about the head with your religious beliefs, and Libertarianism is not a "Freedom" or a "Liberty", it is just a immoral economic system that gives one human the right to prey on another without consequence.)
Give me California over the Red States and the current Federal Government any day. Too bad the State of New Mexico is not forward thinking enough to be at the table with California, Mexico, and Canada.
Michael Bain
Glorieta, New Mexico
This conflict is basically one of instilling forward thinking and a facing up to our responsibilities as adults versus a pathetically dishonest, regressive thinking predatory cronyism that is trying to squeeze every last penny out of the 99% and the environment we live in, out of the environment we depend on for our very existence. This is a battle that if not now threatens our very future as a nation, at the minimum threatens the legitimacy of our federal government for the foreseeable future.
California is trying to lead the nation into a prosperous economic future with greater development and use of renewable fuels. A course of action that will result in cleaner air and water for all, and a healthier human population.
Mr. Trump and the Republicans want to protect their wealth, bigotry, genderism, and racism at all costs, to include the 99%'s individual freedoms and right to a clean environment (there are meaningful "Freedoms" other than the 2nd Amendment and the beating of your fellow citizen about the head with your religious beliefs, and Libertarianism is not a "Freedom" or a "Liberty", it is just a immoral economic system that gives one human the right to prey on another without consequence.)
Give me California over the Red States and the current Federal Government any day. Too bad the State of New Mexico is not forward thinking enough to be at the table with California, Mexico, and Canada.
Michael Bain
Glorieta, New Mexico
4
Meanwhile, California encourages illegal immigration. Millions of people who were living modest lives in Mexico and Central America come to California, buy cars and air conditioning, clog up the highways, and offset the environmental laws by their presence.
You can't have it both ways. Illegal immigration is bad for the environment.
You can't have it both ways. Illegal immigration is bad for the environment.
5
California doesn't encourage illegal immigration. Your right-wing 'War on Drugs' nonsense that has created a second, failed Prohibition and a new Mafia--in this case the cartels--plus your incessant meddling in South America has given a lot of poor Mexicans and South Americans no choice. California is a bit more tolerant--perhaps too much so--so they're trying to make a better life here.
I went to USC and have often thanked heaven for California since then. Sixth largest economy in the world. Sends more to the national government than it receives. Props up red states like Alabama, Mississippi, Indiana, et al. Jerry Brown is awesome, hard to believe he is older than Trump. Trump is exhausted and overweight. Brown is sharp and fit and full of that energy Trump wishes he had. In fact, the entire state of California is full of the energy that lots of states can only dream about. If West Coast goes, I'm going with them!
3
So glad I live in California. the US leader in addressing climate change. We have shown that we can grow fast and clean the air.
It is notable that the EPA head is from a state full of man-made earthquakes. For this administration, states rights only matter when it is in their favor.
It is notable that the EPA head is from a state full of man-made earthquakes. For this administration, states rights only matter when it is in their favor.
140
Any large business that abandons California due to its tougher environmental regulations will suffer financially by such action. There would be a lot of bad publicity and likely consumer boycotts of corporations that put profits ahead of people.
Sadly, it is going to take quite some time for this national nightmare to end. The order of Presidential Succession ensures that we will have to keep Trump around as the lesser of the evils represented by Pence & Ryan, who would be even worse for the environment than Trump.
Sadly, it is going to take quite some time for this national nightmare to end. The order of Presidential Succession ensures that we will have to keep Trump around as the lesser of the evils represented by Pence & Ryan, who would be even worse for the environment than Trump.
31
Er, you do realize that Toyota left and hasn't looked back?
1
Wish we could have a nation-wide response to climate change. I'm so tired of politicians like Trump and Pruitt claiming that climate change doesn't exist (or that the science is not conclusive) and siding with those who make money in regressive ways (think Koch brothers). I wish the NYT listed the states who are on board with progressive climate change policies.
28
If they think they're going to become more competitive, at the expense of destroying our children's future, maybe countries, or states/provinces that maintain environmental limitations should impose duties/tariffs on any goods produced in states/countries that remove controls, when they are imported.
We did. It was called "the election", and we failed miserably.
The weather in the SF Bay Area goes through a precise 6 day pattern that depends on global climate. Three days of warming, followed by 3 days of cooling.
Our "famous fog" depends on a seasonal stationary offshore high, and a continental current off the coast of South and North America driven by the trade winds. It's the "local effect" of the earth's climate operating at a massive scale. An almost daily reminder of the impact of "climate" on our lives.
Whether California gets rain, or drought comes from the same climatological forces over the entire Pacific ocean. It's also why we get 6 months of sunny days, and a rainy period of 6 months.
Californian's get daily, monthly, and yearly reminders of why climate change matters.
Our "famous fog" depends on a seasonal stationary offshore high, and a continental current off the coast of South and North America driven by the trade winds. It's the "local effect" of the earth's climate operating at a massive scale. An almost daily reminder of the impact of "climate" on our lives.
Whether California gets rain, or drought comes from the same climatological forces over the entire Pacific ocean. It's also why we get 6 months of sunny days, and a rainy period of 6 months.
Californian's get daily, monthly, and yearly reminders of why climate change matters.
26
This is why California needs a robust state militia. The battle against the Trump administration cannot rely on the captured national government for protection of its citizens. Never thought I'd become a states rights advocate but....
3
California's environmental laws and taxes have created considerable cost for its residents. They are also very regressive placing burdens on those least able to afford it, exacerbating California's status as the 8th highest state in terms of income inequality.
If California wanted to do the principled thing, it would direct it's politics against the high causes of GHGs: China, and similar countries, not the residents of the rest of the United States.
If California wanted to do the principled thing, it would direct it's politics against the high causes of GHGs: China, and similar countries, not the residents of the rest of the United States.
7
"If California wanted to do the principled thing, it would direct it's politics against the high causes of GHGs: China, and similar countries, not the residents of the rest of the United States."
The United States is the second-largest emitter of CO2 right now. Historically, the United States has emitted more CO2 than any other nation. And a decent fraction of China's recent emissions are from Building Our Stuff.
So, the principled thing IS "China, and the residents of the United States"
The United States is the second-largest emitter of CO2 right now. Historically, the United States has emitted more CO2 than any other nation. And a decent fraction of China's recent emissions are from Building Our Stuff.
So, the principled thing IS "China, and the residents of the United States"
2
"Gov. Jerry Brown flies to China next month to meet with climate leaders there on a campaign to curb global warming."
Maybe you should actually try *reading the article* -- or just the first paragraph at least -- next time.
Maybe you should actually try *reading the article* -- or just the first paragraph at least -- next time.
4
Pleeeeez. Stop kidding yourself that Americans are not amongst the biggest pigs in the world when it comes to consumption. You just look at your fellow citizens waistlines to get a clue.
“With less than 5 percent of world population, the U.S. uses one-third of the world’s paper, a quarter of the world’s oil, 23 percent of the coal, 27 percent of the aluminum, and 19 percent of the copper,” he reports. “Our per capita use of energy, metals, minerals, forest products, fish, grains, meat, and even fresh water dwarfs that of people living in the developing world.”
“A child born in the United States will create thirteen times as much ecological damage over the course of his or her lifetime than a child born in Brazil,” reports the Sierra Club’s Dave Tilford, adding that the average American will drain as many resources as 35 natives of India and consume 53 times more goods and services than someone from China.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/american-consumption-habits/
“With less than 5 percent of world population, the U.S. uses one-third of the world’s paper, a quarter of the world’s oil, 23 percent of the coal, 27 percent of the aluminum, and 19 percent of the copper,” he reports. “Our per capita use of energy, metals, minerals, forest products, fish, grains, meat, and even fresh water dwarfs that of people living in the developing world.”
“A child born in the United States will create thirteen times as much ecological damage over the course of his or her lifetime than a child born in Brazil,” reports the Sierra Club’s Dave Tilford, adding that the average American will drain as many resources as 35 natives of India and consume 53 times more goods and services than someone from China.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/american-consumption-habits/
2
Tax increases on the wealthy, massive infrastructure spending, higher minimum wages, stricter regulations, stronger safety nets, welfare payments to low-tax, low-achieving states, and strong environmental standards- all this and growing their GDP at 4.5% annually.
So, of course, it makes sense for the republicans to claim they can grow our national economy by doing the exact opposite. Oh, and work to destroy this progress, too, by infringing on this particular state's rights - in case people in Kansas or Wisconsin or Oklahoma or anywhere in the south start looking around outside FOX news to see what is actually working.
American Brilliance.
So, of course, it makes sense for the republicans to claim they can grow our national economy by doing the exact opposite. Oh, and work to destroy this progress, too, by infringing on this particular state's rights - in case people in Kansas or Wisconsin or Oklahoma or anywhere in the south start looking around outside FOX news to see what is actually working.
American Brilliance.
62
Again, why did the Democrats not run Jerry Brown for President? Oh, yeah, his age, but in health age he is far lower than Trump. And he successfully ran the world's 6th largest economy, balanced the California budget, and dropped unemployment down to a microscopic level.
26
California is exhibit A in what is wrong with the politically correct approach to earths problems. Climate change what a wonderful red herring to lay blame on for earths problems. Then the problem is simply big business and not the human conceit that every thing on earth is here simply to serve as a natural resource for human consumption.
California is absolutely deluged with too many people. Driving anywhere can be a nightmare requiring military type planning. Houses cost a fortune as arable land, and water become scarcer and scarcer both in relative and absolute terms.
The population in 1980 was approximately 20 million, today it is approximately 40 million. Buying a home becomes more and more difficult as rents soar. It’s known as supply and demand. God stopped creating new land some time ago.
A quarter of its children now live in poverty.
Buckle up because as long as climate change, a result of too many people, leads people into the false belief that somehow science and technology will save us from basics laws of physics – (too many people for too few resources) and we can just keep on multiplying life will become more hellish for every living thing including people.
But don’t talk about that NYT that might mean discussing limits to population growth something that doesn’t fit your agenda. Climate change, climate change, climate change …. Really?
California is absolutely deluged with too many people. Driving anywhere can be a nightmare requiring military type planning. Houses cost a fortune as arable land, and water become scarcer and scarcer both in relative and absolute terms.
The population in 1980 was approximately 20 million, today it is approximately 40 million. Buying a home becomes more and more difficult as rents soar. It’s known as supply and demand. God stopped creating new land some time ago.
A quarter of its children now live in poverty.
Buckle up because as long as climate change, a result of too many people, leads people into the false belief that somehow science and technology will save us from basics laws of physics – (too many people for too few resources) and we can just keep on multiplying life will become more hellish for every living thing including people.
But don’t talk about that NYT that might mean discussing limits to population growth something that doesn’t fit your agenda. Climate change, climate change, climate change …. Really?
10
Dude. I assume you have never actually been to California. Traffic problems abound in a few mega cities and their burbs. The rest of us live very differently. I live in a small foothill town with no traffic and low crime. No Walmart. A big reason for our clean air and water up here is environmental regulation. During the 70s mountain town's had a pall of smoke from smog that came up here from the valley. This isn't a problem here any more. And your statistics on California life are just dead wrong.
And by the way...God did not stop creating new land. God's existence not withstanding New land is constantly being created. California is the product of new land building. You can see the continental push in the Winters Hills. Further Hawaii adds acres of land every year through lava flow. Or do you deny both climate and continental drift?
And by the way...God did not stop creating new land. God's existence not withstanding New land is constantly being created. California is the product of new land building. You can see the continental push in the Winters Hills. Further Hawaii adds acres of land every year through lava flow. Or do you deny both climate and continental drift?
1
More efficient tech (including power generation and cars) and more judicious use of energy and resources are one half of the equation. But you are absolutely right, population is the other half, and both halves have to be addressed to keep humanity viable.
1
California - 240 / sq mile. New York - 416 / sq mile. All figures - thereabouts !
California is an admired part of the world on these issues, but apparently not a part of the United States.
13
I can remember in the 70s when the thing that LA was most famous for was its smog.
13
I remember not seeing the buildings a few blocks away! And Republicans try to assert the air would have been cleaned without gov't regulations but by companies bowing to public pressure. Highly doubtful.
3
I agree that global warming is the issue of our time. The inertia of our globe means we must act now to even begin the leveling off process. We are NOT talking about lowering the mean temperature, but rather stabilizing it at a new, higher, norm. So it is going to get hot and stay that way for a long time. Unfortunately, stability at a new, hotter level, is the best we can hope for now.
If we act strongly now, global temperatures will not run away, we are trying to avoid the Venus syndrome, which is not the science fiction that some high level people think it is. Imagine DC with temperature in the 120's for weeks, and a zone around the equator that will be uninhabitable.
If we act strongly now, global temperatures will not run away, we are trying to avoid the Venus syndrome, which is not the science fiction that some high level people think it is. Imagine DC with temperature in the 120's for weeks, and a zone around the equator that will be uninhabitable.
16
It is beyond strange that the federal government under the Trump administration wants to force California to relax emissions standards, wants to force people to breathe in great ground-level pollution. We are deeply in uncharted, idiotic waters here.
24
To Governor Brown: thank you - other states should follow California's lead.
To Pruitt and Trump: want to know what actually destroys jobs? Flooded/sinking coastal business and tourist real estate, drought-ridden farmland, poisoned air and water from chemical deregulation and toxic waste dumping - and ceding thousands upon thousands of brand new green energy manufacturing jobs to China!
To Pruitt and Trump: want to know what actually destroys jobs? Flooded/sinking coastal business and tourist real estate, drought-ridden farmland, poisoned air and water from chemical deregulation and toxic waste dumping - and ceding thousands upon thousands of brand new green energy manufacturing jobs to China!
66
One thing that the GOP's agenda over the past decade has accomplished is to convert me into a Federalist. I am convinced more than ever that so called "fly-over" and southern states simply will never come around to accepting or even understanding the progressive policies of my home state of California. And frankly, I'm okay with that. We have freedom of movement in the US and if people don't want to live in states without clean air and water laws, worker protection and equal rights for all then they can move. Just let California do what it wants and don't make me pay for the consequences that will inevitably come to those sates that continue to promote regressive policies.
21
I don't say this every day, but today I am proud to be a Californian. Thank you Jerry Brown for your leadership. Not perfect, but what is? Let's also not rest on our laurels - I know the GOP is gunning for a foothold here.
390
Yes, California filled 14 seats on the GOP of the House in 2014 and 2016.
Most of California's problems stem from one-party rule and the idea that the real estate values will go up forever to finance all this largesse.
We're a trillion dollars light on pension obligations and counting.
Even as our middle class flees to more friendly climes to live, raise families and retire.
We're a trillion dollars light on pension obligations and counting.
Even as our middle class flees to more friendly climes to live, raise families and retire.
1
I am also PROUD to be a Californian!! Go Jerry Brown!
1
Greed Oil Pollution prefers people-killing deregulation over job-creating alternative energies, doubling down on their homicidal greed and misanthropy in the name of 'free-dumb'.
No one hates their grandchildren as much as Donald Trump and the Greed Over People globally-assisted-suicide fossil fuel caucus.
Nice people.
No one hates their grandchildren as much as Donald Trump and the Greed Over People globally-assisted-suicide fossil fuel caucus.
Nice people.
17
The Republicans have been using the regulations-as-job-killer cudgel for some time. How about the Dem's shut down that argument with some facts...they must learn to fight.
88
Never mind Texas seceding--California and New York City should set off on their own. It's in these two places that you will find the real America--diverse, accepting and well-educated.
257
And, deeply deeply in debt. California will never be able to meet its pension obligations-- everybody knows it, Brown won't even talk about the trillions they need and don't have.
1
No, we need to all stick together. I grew up in Jersey and then spent much of the last 30 years traveling and working in states east of the Rockies. Every region suffers from their own version of provincialism, and the New Yorker cover showing the Manhattan view of the world was very accurate.
It's complicated, and I think the situation on clean energy is changing.
Keep in mind that California is the #3 ranked oil producing state, while Texas, besides being #1, is also #1 in wind generation capacity, followed by other Plains States. Iowa gets >35% of their electricity from wind.
Economics are pushing wind energy in the Plains States, helped by companies like Google or Microsoft siting data centers near wind farms they also are funding. Farmers or ranchers in very Red States are getting lease money and/or royalties from wind towers that take a small part of the land, hedge against increasingly uncertain climate, and won't spill.
As for "diverse, accepting", that too-often includes putting down the rest of the country for the sin of not being just the same. The influx of Mexican and other Central American labor, plus siting of refugee groups in smaller towns around the country is shaking things up, diversifying some of the more homogeneous areas of the country.
Face it, if you live in a port, you get more variety of people than out in a thinly populated inland area. But also face it, that by no means should then be evidence that these areas have less prejudice.
It's complicated, and I think the situation on clean energy is changing.
Keep in mind that California is the #3 ranked oil producing state, while Texas, besides being #1, is also #1 in wind generation capacity, followed by other Plains States. Iowa gets >35% of their electricity from wind.
Economics are pushing wind energy in the Plains States, helped by companies like Google or Microsoft siting data centers near wind farms they also are funding. Farmers or ranchers in very Red States are getting lease money and/or royalties from wind towers that take a small part of the land, hedge against increasingly uncertain climate, and won't spill.
As for "diverse, accepting", that too-often includes putting down the rest of the country for the sin of not being just the same. The influx of Mexican and other Central American labor, plus siting of refugee groups in smaller towns around the country is shaking things up, diversifying some of the more homogeneous areas of the country.
Face it, if you live in a port, you get more variety of people than out in a thinly populated inland area. But also face it, that by no means should then be evidence that these areas have less prejudice.
1
and: we pay more than our share of keeping the lights on.
The Pragmatic American goes forth....
7
Thank you NY Times for letting us comment on this one, unlike the huge wall of silence extended towards Mr. Trump and his Cartel presence led by Mr. Tillerson and Wilbur Ross in Saudi Arabia. California moves forward through innovation and inspired vision while Mr. Trump and company just forged a $115 Billion arms deal while Blackstone arranged a $20 Billion Saudi Sovergn Wealth Fund to invest in American infrastructure. As ironic as that is, and since I'm not a crack NY Times reporter, I wonder if one may glean something important from the contrast? Is there a need to understand the tension to fully marvel at the importance of California's bold presence. Maybe we citizens should put that one together ourselves alongside the perplexing counter intuitive pin ball Trump routine of blasting Islamic terror while backing militarily Islamic terror's greatest champion. if I were to compare the two visions on its face, I might surmise the brilliance of California.
46
California pretty much invented the carbon intensive lifestyle that is the bane of our existence. The state is a cesspool of waste. Get real.
4
True that. I think it shows that CA has always been ahead of the rest of the nation; first to the car culture, first to mass suburban developments and traffic jams, first to curb smog, first to regulate emissions and fuel economy standards and now first to take on global warming with sound policy.
11
Hooray for California, my state stands for something, and can offer substantial resistance to our present no-government-Trump-Land; one of thieves, liars, and, unfortunately for the country, utter incompetence.
60
California stands for "high debt", "highest income inequality", "fleeing middle class", "homeless everywhere you look" and "no upward mobility".
The best way to live well in California is to climb into your time machine, travel back to 1973 and buy a house before Prop 13 kicked.
The best way to live well in California is to climb into your time machine, travel back to 1973 and buy a house before Prop 13 kicked.
Go ahead make Arnold and Jerry's day. The heavy rail line from the bay area to the LA area will be completed with next to zero grade level crossings. 65-mph freight trains will rumble N-S with container freight, the state will boom from smart solutions to industrial logistics. Jerry will have to give up what?
18
Progressive hero Brown fiddles on the world stage as California burns.Highest poverty rate in the country,crumbling infrastructure,remember No.Cal dams? No money to invest in capture systems to relieve future droughts,but billions for bullet trains to nowhere.Highest state income tax in country,$450b to $1.1 trillion in debt depending on who you believe,illegal immigrants draining and burdening resources across the board.Fear not Californians,all will be well once Jerry forces you all to trade in your cars for golf carts,Hooray!
6
California doesn't have the highest poverty rate, Mississippi does. California has the largest population living in poverty, but only because it has the largest population overall. As a percentage of households living in poverty it's about average. The best state (New Hampshire) has a household poverty rate of 9.2% (the only state below 10%), the US overall has a poverty rate of 14.8%, while California comes in at 16.4% (tied with Oregon). Mississippi, meanwhile, experiences a poverty rate of 21.9%. According to my quick Google search, California ranks 35th on a 1 - 51 scale with 1 being the best and 51 the worst. Of the 16 states and District of Columbia ranking worse than California, so far as I can tell all of them with the exception of New Mexico and DC are Republican states. As for the California debt, it's been dropping under Jerry Brown. A $2.7 trillion dollar economy and $138 billion state debt with a 2.7% growth rate is actually a very good position to be in. The debt in Texas is only about $30 billion lower and its economy is approximately $1 trillion smaller with a growth rate of 1.2%. Seems to me Jerry Brown and the progressives in California must be doing something right.
143
Your talking points have no basis in reality. The poverty rate in California is due to a higher cost of living. If you look at the number of people that are on SNAP, it's the red states (most in the 20% range) that have a higher percentage of people needing food assistance than in California (10%).
California has been spending billions over the years on dam upgrades and water capture. California debt is less than 15% of GDP. About 5% of state budget goes to servicing debt which is below the 6% threshold of prudent borrowing, and we're projected to have about$10 billion in the rainy day fund in about a year. California GDP growth has outpaced national growth the past 5 years.
As for illegals, a USC study in 2014 found that at about 10% of the working population, illegals contributed $130 Billion to state GDP. That's higher than the GDP of Mississippi and some other red states. Golf carts may be your speed. We have Teslas and Bolts, or like my brother in SoCal, a Chevy Volt powered by his rooftop solar. He hardly buys any gas for it.
So while not perfect, California, which routinely defies conservative orthodoxy, is in much better shape than the snake oil selling conservatives would like you to believe.
California has been spending billions over the years on dam upgrades and water capture. California debt is less than 15% of GDP. About 5% of state budget goes to servicing debt which is below the 6% threshold of prudent borrowing, and we're projected to have about$10 billion in the rainy day fund in about a year. California GDP growth has outpaced national growth the past 5 years.
As for illegals, a USC study in 2014 found that at about 10% of the working population, illegals contributed $130 Billion to state GDP. That's higher than the GDP of Mississippi and some other red states. Golf carts may be your speed. We have Teslas and Bolts, or like my brother in SoCal, a Chevy Volt powered by his rooftop solar. He hardly buys any gas for it.
So while not perfect, California, which routinely defies conservative orthodoxy, is in much better shape than the snake oil selling conservatives would like you to believe.
15
Yawn... And laughs at the Trump-parroting keyboard warrior sitting on the opposite side of the continent thinking he's qualified to judge. I've driven all over New York and the towns along the northern regions of the Canadian border look like the Rust Belt (which I've also witnessed in person). Yet it's California you're obsessed with.
And since when is San Diego to Sacramento nowhere? Ever been to those cities? They are major metropolitan regions! (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_High-Speed_Rail).
Everyone I know is jumping in electric cars that are a far cry from golf carts. Ever actually see one in person? Driven one?! From BMW to Tesla to GM, they seem to know something you don't since they're rushing to produce them. My friend's Volt looks and drives like a race car and we've hit 85mph on the open highway.
Illegal immigrants aren't "draining" resources when they put back into the economy as much as they take. And those of us American citizens who've lived with them all of our lives not only love them but are often family members with them. Deport them and you destabilize the national economy as even the Wall Street Journal has stated.
California burns? Where? When? How? I'm sitting in this state with local news on and the LA Times spread before me. There are good stories and bad stories, everything every city and state faces when humans gather to live. But the state is not only not burning, it's thriving and you just sound bitter and terribly jealous.
And since when is San Diego to Sacramento nowhere? Ever been to those cities? They are major metropolitan regions! (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_High-Speed_Rail).
Everyone I know is jumping in electric cars that are a far cry from golf carts. Ever actually see one in person? Driven one?! From BMW to Tesla to GM, they seem to know something you don't since they're rushing to produce them. My friend's Volt looks and drives like a race car and we've hit 85mph on the open highway.
Illegal immigrants aren't "draining" resources when they put back into the economy as much as they take. And those of us American citizens who've lived with them all of our lives not only love them but are often family members with them. Deport them and you destabilize the national economy as even the Wall Street Journal has stated.
California burns? Where? When? How? I'm sitting in this state with local news on and the LA Times spread before me. There are good stories and bad stories, everything every city and state faces when humans gather to live. But the state is not only not burning, it's thriving and you just sound bitter and terribly jealous.
13
I'm with Zane.
Bravo California!
Bravo California!
23
I draw inspiration from the great state of California, the 5th largest economy in the world and at the same time, a state of responsible actions and policies.
76
It's amusing that most of the people singing California's praises don't actually live here.
For those of us who do, it's a much bleaker picture. And, a bleak picture seldom covered in the national press, I might add.
For those of us who do, it's a much bleaker picture. And, a bleak picture seldom covered in the national press, I might add.
1
Tom- you are depressed and it shows. What sort of life are you living? I was born here and love it. Maybe you should move since you don't seem to be motivated to change what you don't like. It's easy to find fault and a lot harder to create.
1
Greg Barber
Absolute nonsense of course, but coming from exceedingly well-heeled Montecito, the comment is not really surprising! You don't have to be intelligent to be rich, obviously.
I lived in CA for over 20 years and my son lives there still; it's a wonderful state.
Absolute nonsense of course, but coming from exceedingly well-heeled Montecito, the comment is not really surprising! You don't have to be intelligent to be rich, obviously.
I lived in CA for over 20 years and my son lives there still; it's a wonderful state.
Since Ronald Reagan established the California Air Resource Board, California has always been a leader on pollution. But for CARB we wouldn't have catalytic converters, and our air wouldn't be nearly as clean.
That leadership has always been recognized and in fact is part of the Clean Air Act, which specifically recognizes that California can formulate its own emissions and pollution standards and that other states can adopt that standard. The only thing new here is that the Trump Administration doesn't like the law or the fact that California and the rest of the CARB states have so many people that car makers have to meet its standards in order to stay in business. This runs against their view that the minority of voters and small states should get to dictate to the majority of voters and large states.
That leadership has always been recognized and in fact is part of the Clean Air Act, which specifically recognizes that California can formulate its own emissions and pollution standards and that other states can adopt that standard. The only thing new here is that the Trump Administration doesn't like the law or the fact that California and the rest of the CARB states have so many people that car makers have to meet its standards in order to stay in business. This runs against their view that the minority of voters and small states should get to dictate to the majority of voters and large states.
26
We all need to pressure our own states to follow California's example. I wish the article said which other states have already done so (outside of New York and Mass.). If the clowns in DC are so set on States Rights, then we should all follow California in enacting strict environmental regulations, and they won't be able to stop us. Then maybe our children and grandchildren will have somewhere to live.
26
It is time that we recognize the United States is dead and for California to assert itself as a free and independent nation.
16
There is no "fighting climate change" since it is already here and happening. I would say that it's working to mitigate the effects of it. California should be praised as a model for the rest of the country but sadly we are already getting our clocks cleaned by China and India. So much for making this country great again...
14
The US still gets more usable wind power than any other nation. China might beat us next year, but it's wrong to sustain a view of "United States" by focusing on what Trump and the fossilized GOP Leadership is trying to do.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_the_United_States
Top three states in wind power? Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma. THEN California. Economics is doing that - wind power on the Plains is cheaper to generate than natural gas, and much cheaper than coal. Nobody here is building new coal power plants, so Trump and Pruitt are fighting against the economy they claim to be helping. The economy will win.
Offshore wind is just starting in the US, but a sensible oil-patch company with offshore platform skills should be getting into that - Norway's Statoil won the bid for federal offshore lease rights on a patch off of New York - and it went through 30 rounds of bidding.
The US is also one of the leaders in solar energy produced. The fact that New Jersey is in fifth place in capacity right now shows that the potential has just been scratched.
Grid operators and planners are constantly able to run the grid safely with larger and larger amounts of renewables, and the plunging price of battery technologies is accelerating that trend, too.
Go, California, but go, the rest of the US, too.
Trump, McConnell and the Oil Patch Kids are trying to fight reality, but the energy market won't wait for them. They're on a fool's errand.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_the_United_States
Top three states in wind power? Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma. THEN California. Economics is doing that - wind power on the Plains is cheaper to generate than natural gas, and much cheaper than coal. Nobody here is building new coal power plants, so Trump and Pruitt are fighting against the economy they claim to be helping. The economy will win.
Offshore wind is just starting in the US, but a sensible oil-patch company with offshore platform skills should be getting into that - Norway's Statoil won the bid for federal offshore lease rights on a patch off of New York - and it went through 30 rounds of bidding.
The US is also one of the leaders in solar energy produced. The fact that New Jersey is in fifth place in capacity right now shows that the potential has just been scratched.
Grid operators and planners are constantly able to run the grid safely with larger and larger amounts of renewables, and the plunging price of battery technologies is accelerating that trend, too.
Go, California, but go, the rest of the US, too.
Trump, McConnell and the Oil Patch Kids are trying to fight reality, but the energy market won't wait for them. They're on a fool's errand.
1
Given that California had no say in who their president would be they owe no allegiance to Trump.
The Electoral College gave the Presidency to Trump based on less than 80,000 votes in 3 counties east of the Mississippi before California's votes were even counted.
The nation's most populous state with the world's 6th largest economy had no say in 2 out of the last 3 Presidential elections. That's neither a democracy nor a republic no matter how one defines them. It's time to abolish the Electoral College.
The Electoral College gave the Presidency to Trump based on less than 80,000 votes in 3 counties east of the Mississippi before California's votes were even counted.
The nation's most populous state with the world's 6th largest economy had no say in 2 out of the last 3 Presidential elections. That's neither a democracy nor a republic no matter how one defines them. It's time to abolish the Electoral College.
215
Yes, yes, one thousand times YES!!
2
California's also leading the charge to change that!
2
"Scott Pruitt, the Environmental Protection Agency chief, whom Mr. Trump has charged with rolling back Obama-era environmental policies, speaks often of his belief in the importance of federalism and states’ rights... But of Mr. Brown’s push to expand California’s environmental policies to the country and the world, Mr. Pruitt said, “That’s not federalism — that’s a political agenda hiding behind federalism.”
I love how California has shown through its stance on immigration and climate change that Republicans only like state’s rights when it’s beneficial to them and detrimental to the rest of society…
I love how California has shown through its stance on immigration and climate change that Republicans only like state’s rights when it’s beneficial to them and detrimental to the rest of society…
77
This is a simple case of grandstanding politicians like Jerry Brown putting their own careers ahead of the best interests of their constituents. The NYT paints California's efforts as leadership, but what the state is actually doing is sacrificing itself for the cause. Nothing that we do in our state, as large as it is, is going to make a dent in climate change as long as the rest of the country and the world continue to bicker about it.
While consensus about climate change is complete, there is no consensus about whether or not incremental efforts to reduce carbon pollution will slow it. Yet Gov. Brown is taking steps that will raise the cost of living in this already too-expensive state as a symbolic gesture. Meanwhile, we continue to lack basic environmentally friendly services such as reliable and inexpensive public transit.
This article sets up California's actions as an aggressive gesture towards the Trump Administration, but what it really is is an aggressive gesture towards its own citizens.
While consensus about climate change is complete, there is no consensus about whether or not incremental efforts to reduce carbon pollution will slow it. Yet Gov. Brown is taking steps that will raise the cost of living in this already too-expensive state as a symbolic gesture. Meanwhile, we continue to lack basic environmentally friendly services such as reliable and inexpensive public transit.
This article sets up California's actions as an aggressive gesture towards the Trump Administration, but what it really is is an aggressive gesture towards its own citizens.
10
California has a remarkably vibrant economy under Brown, so I can't see any basis to say he's waging war against its citizens. Despite all their carping about regulations, businesses here are doing well.
53
You have a point if the only thing you care about is CO2 emissions. If you care about other things, like pollution, then you don't. For example, requiring higher MPG standards and more zero emission vehicles significantly reduces pollutants which would otherwise degrade the health of those living in California.
Since the costs of public transit depend on labor and land costs, complaining that California lacks inexpensive public transport while pointing out that costs are high in California is wholly illogical. The latter explains the former.
Since the costs of public transit depend on labor and land costs, complaining that California lacks inexpensive public transport while pointing out that costs are high in California is wholly illogical. The latter explains the former.
17
So why do you not just do yourself in instead of demanding we all go down with you? It is true that we had 10 years to get ahold of carbon emissions 20 years ago, but claiming bad intent on the part of those trying to do something is pure evil. The accusations of bad intent by the Right are always a snapshot of their own hateful attitude. Some of us are motivated by other things besides money. This is hard foe the Right to understand as everything is economics or religion but....
5
We moved to CA in 1979. We generate more electricity than we use and we have a hybrid vehicle. I'm hoping the current administration will not last much longer and that its anti-environmental agenda will not be enacted by Congress.
170
I moved to CA in 1969. The brown smudge in my Polaroid pics encouraged me to hike the Palos Verdes coast for fresh air, and to watch the surfers. That was before the local surf club started throwing boulders at non locals.
3
Before we make Governor Jerry Brown an environmental saint or another St. Francis, it's important to remember that our governor’s long-standing refusal to ban hydraulic fracking, a controversial process that has helped revive the oil industry in California, has made our state vulnerable to the environmental disasters that Brown routinely rails against.
A number of California environmentalists contend it is hypocritical for Brown to call himself a leader in the fight against climate change while supporting fracking which has been called an ugly blot on the governor's green record.
The controversial oil extraction process may have played a role in the 2015 Porter Ranch natural gas leak, one of the biggest environmental disasters in recent California history. It occurred when a ruptured storage well in the Aliso Canyon oil field began spewing hundreds of thousands of tons of noxious gas into Los Angeles neighborhoods. Three months later, this massive leak was still going on. Thousands of people had been driven from their homes, schools and businesses by horrible smells and spiking levels of cancer-causing benzene.
At the time the Sacramento Bee reported that newly uncovered documents showed that hydraulic fracturing was commonly used in the Aliso Canyon gas storage wells – including a well less than a half-mile from the leak.
Brown still refused to ban fracking in the aftermath of the leak.
A number of California environmentalists contend it is hypocritical for Brown to call himself a leader in the fight against climate change while supporting fracking which has been called an ugly blot on the governor's green record.
The controversial oil extraction process may have played a role in the 2015 Porter Ranch natural gas leak, one of the biggest environmental disasters in recent California history. It occurred when a ruptured storage well in the Aliso Canyon oil field began spewing hundreds of thousands of tons of noxious gas into Los Angeles neighborhoods. Three months later, this massive leak was still going on. Thousands of people had been driven from their homes, schools and businesses by horrible smells and spiking levels of cancer-causing benzene.
At the time the Sacramento Bee reported that newly uncovered documents showed that hydraulic fracturing was commonly used in the Aliso Canyon gas storage wells – including a well less than a half-mile from the leak.
Brown still refused to ban fracking in the aftermath of the leak.
10
There is plenty to criticize about Brown, but his leadership on climate change is stellar.
25
So what is your conclusion? It makes very little sense to criticize Brown for past sins at this critical point in time.
1
Maybe you should perform a minimum amount of investigation before "jumping off the cliff" about the cause of Aliso Canyon gas storage leak being caused by or resulting from hydraulic fracturing. An independent investigation demonstrated the leaking well was drilled 63 years ago, and the safety valves were removed, but not replaced 38 years ago.
Fracking is environmentally safe and can be made safer - and this technology is the only reason coal-fired power plants are becoming extinct. The road to a clean energy future is made in steady steps forward, and CA continues to lead the way for the nation. Kudos to Gov. Brown and the CARB!
Fracking is environmentally safe and can be made safer - and this technology is the only reason coal-fired power plants are becoming extinct. The road to a clean energy future is made in steady steps forward, and CA continues to lead the way for the nation. Kudos to Gov. Brown and the CARB!
There are 49 more states -- let's show California it's not alone!
104
As the article briefly mentions, there are 14 other states that have adopted California's stricter vehicle emissions, including my state of Maryland. We are actively working to increase electric vehicle education and awareness.
Great idea; NYC is at sea level!
2
Among degreed climate scientists, there is a near total consensus that humans are warming the planet and that deriving energy from Carbon based fuels is the fundamental culprit.
People like trump, pruit & their supporters have ignorant and worthless opinions that this is not happening and there is no problem, and they should be given no credibility whatsoever.
Thank goodness there are sensible people with integrity like Brown and leaders in Canada, Mexico, China and the EU etc who let the best scientific knowledge we have today guide the policies & programs they are setting up to mitigate the huge negative impacts if we do nothing, like trump advocates.
Yes, there are costs in producing cars with lower emissions, that get 54 mpg, or that are hybrids or all electric. There are costs associated with closing old coal plants and switching to solar, wind and other clean renewables (perhaps up to 3-4% of GDP in the near term).
But the costs of not taking these steps today will be 20-30% of a nations GDP in the future, trying when it's too late to deal with impacts like intense, sustained droughts, loss of food production, lack of fresh water, more intense storms, coastal flooding and destruction of homes, businesses, infrastructure and displacement of hundreds of millions world wide.
It just defies comprehension that someone who thinks it's all a hoax is in charge. It's all about sensible risk management based on likely risks - thank goodness for California's leadership.
People like trump, pruit & their supporters have ignorant and worthless opinions that this is not happening and there is no problem, and they should be given no credibility whatsoever.
Thank goodness there are sensible people with integrity like Brown and leaders in Canada, Mexico, China and the EU etc who let the best scientific knowledge we have today guide the policies & programs they are setting up to mitigate the huge negative impacts if we do nothing, like trump advocates.
Yes, there are costs in producing cars with lower emissions, that get 54 mpg, or that are hybrids or all electric. There are costs associated with closing old coal plants and switching to solar, wind and other clean renewables (perhaps up to 3-4% of GDP in the near term).
But the costs of not taking these steps today will be 20-30% of a nations GDP in the future, trying when it's too late to deal with impacts like intense, sustained droughts, loss of food production, lack of fresh water, more intense storms, coastal flooding and destruction of homes, businesses, infrastructure and displacement of hundreds of millions world wide.
It just defies comprehension that someone who thinks it's all a hoax is in charge. It's all about sensible risk management based on likely risks - thank goodness for California's leadership.
117
I would be more impressed with California's policy if they would spend far more of their tax dollars on preventing environmental damage to their state. Where are the high speed electric trains fueled by power from wind turbines? Why do they allow thousands of acres of trees and brush to burn? Surely water lines can be run into remote areas. Why are they unprepared for drought and floods? Where is the ban on gasoline powered garden tools. They pollute more than cars. But if low polluting cars are desired in California, require them there but don't expect other states to share the cost.
3
"Why do they allow thousands of acres of trees and brush to burn? Surely water lines can be run into remote areas. Why are they unprepared for drought and floods?"
This is like asking why Illinois hasn't stopped tornado damage or why Florida hasn't stopped hurricane damage.
This is like asking why Illinois hasn't stopped tornado damage or why Florida hasn't stopped hurricane damage.
37
Another weird "California isn't doing enough, so let's not support them in what they actually are doing" critique. I'm so tired of Republicans throwing every argument they can find in their kitchen sink, why nothing should be done right now. Global warming is a hoax. It's not man made. It's man made, but we can't stop it anyways. It's a problem, but we'll handle it later with marvelous new technology. - Can some Republican please explain to me what's so conservative about risking the entire planet for a little extra profit?
12
"Where are the high speed electric trains fueled by power from wind turbines?"
Under construction for the past couple of years. You don't build high speed rail overnight.
Under construction for the past couple of years. You don't build high speed rail overnight.
4
So, as one might have suspected, Federalism is only bad (and states' rights good) when it leads to the results the Republicans want. If Federalism can be used to ram Republican policies down the states' and voters' throats, it's a good thing. Got it.
164
Exactly. Starting with slavery, "state's rights" was always an excuse.
California Gov. Jerry Brown would make a wonderful president. Trump and Pence have no business running our country (into the ground). American life feels very stressful and depressing with an uncaring and unqualified Trump administration in charge.
362
@Belle:
Too old.
And red state voters won't elect "Gov. Moonbeam". They vote for politicians who tell them what they want to hear. Cynics and con men like Trump are their cup of tea. They don't like being confused by facts or, God forbid, reality.
Too old.
And red state voters won't elect "Gov. Moonbeam". They vote for politicians who tell them what they want to hear. Cynics and con men like Trump are their cup of tea. They don't like being confused by facts or, God forbid, reality.
"Thank God for California!" is all I can say.
Never forget for a moment that California can play such a leading, productive scientifically sophisticated political role fighting AGW Climate Change because that state's Republican Party can't sabotage those efforts, what it does throughout the Rust Belt, Midwest, Deep and Middle South and much of the Southwest. That's because the Republican Party destroyed itself with urban voters a decade ago. If Fox News, Limbaugh and Beck held sway, if Republicans controlled the California State Assembly and the governorship it would be a far different, much grimmer picture.
Never forget for a moment that California can play such a leading, productive scientifically sophisticated political role fighting AGW Climate Change because that state's Republican Party can't sabotage those efforts, what it does throughout the Rust Belt, Midwest, Deep and Middle South and much of the Southwest. That's because the Republican Party destroyed itself with urban voters a decade ago. If Fox News, Limbaugh and Beck held sway, if Republicans controlled the California State Assembly and the governorship it would be a far different, much grimmer picture.
175
The praise for leading the country and maybe the world for clean, progressive environmentalism is OK.
But the election system is stupid. The backward middle america gets to choose the president and the environmental policies of the country.
If the cal democrats have spine, they will move their primaries to decide the presidential candidate and the country's environmental policy.
But the election system is stupid. The backward middle america gets to choose the president and the environmental policies of the country.
If the cal democrats have spine, they will move their primaries to decide the presidential candidate and the country's environmental policy.
83
They did.
4
It's on the agenda...at last.
Bravo, California! You are a beacon of light in a dark world. We need your leadership and persistence on climate change.
341
Bravo, California. As always, leading the country in social and environmental issues. We'll-done
177
Hooray for California! A sad state of affairs for the rest of us. I had the unpleasant misfortune to hear Senator Collins of ME speak at a commencement address at her Alma mater St. Lawrence University. She discussed here true love and belief in environmental causes as she supports the President's destruction of our environment and the Globe. She also allowed confirmation of the worst anti-environment appointees ever. At least she had the good grace to be brief. Its all about the power and money.
69
L'Etat, c'est California.
19
A government of greed, for greed, shall perish this earth. Sorry, Abe, they died in vain...
12
Hurrah for a sensible and reasonable CA and its governor, Jerry Brown. Too bad he isn't our president. He understands science and is concerned about our environment!
248
Thank-you California for leading the charge for our planet and future peoples. I might just move to your state if we don't get a change in attitude by what is currently happening in Washington. In the meantime I'll keep putting up rooftop solar panels where I live and work to protect the planet however I can.
129
CA only gets two senators, just like every other state. Please stay where you are and influence yours!
9
I'll certainly try. California should have more Congress-people,though. Because of what was done in the 20's and 30's California (as well as other large states) is underrepresented in the House of Representatives. It is part of the reason the Electoral College could be gamed to give Trump the win because of PA, MI, and WI. Look up sometime how many people per representative there could be if the minimum allowed by the Constitution were implemented. It would be 30,000 residents per representative(district). What we currently have is pegged to 300,000 to 700,000 people per district with the smaller states having more Congressmen for their size than the larger states. It should be a more consistent number of about, say, 100,000 residents per district no matter how large or small the state. Maybe the extra newly created districts could be virtual only, i.e., so Washington wouldn't grow the Capitol building any complex but all citizens would be better represented, kind of like smaller class sizes per teacher rather than large class sizes per teacher......
Who Cares what they say about Global Warming.
Humans did not cause the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Humans did not cause the various ice ages since the world began.
Humans did not cause the great flood written about in every religion's ancient text, which scientists are finding out did actually happen.
And humans will not cause global warming.
This global warming crap is just a big money maker for the people who have dedicated their lives, but the problem is they want everyone else to pay for it.
Just ignore these people, and don't give them any money.
When the seas rise, just to move to higher ground. If it is going to happen, it will happen with our without humans.