Back in late April of this year, CalWild participated in what has become an annual “30×30” advocacy day at the State Capitol with the Power In Nature (PIN) coalition (“30 by 30” or 30×30 is the effort to protect 30% of California’s wild lands and waters by the year 2030).
In the simplest terms, Prop 4 would dedicate $10 billion to climate, water, and natural resources related issues, with an important requirement that 40% of the money goes to projects that aid disadvantaged, or low-income communities. As with other bonds, the money would come from the government borrowing from the public and utilizing the funds for the associated bond issue.
In slightly more detail, Prop 4 would provide funding towards the following:
- $1.5 billion for Wildfire and Forest Resilience which includes fuel reduction, structure hardening, create defensible space, reforestation
- $1.2 billion to Protect Biodiversity and Accelerating Nature-Based Climate Solutions which would include 30×30 related funding and Tribal nature-based solutions
- $3.8 billion for Safe Drinking Water, Drought, Flood, and Water Resilience
- $1.2 billion for Sea Level Rise and Coastal Resilience which includes funding for salmon restoration
- $850 million towards Clean Air related issues
- $700 million for Park Creation and Outdoor Access which would include park creation in park poor communities
- $300 million for Climate Smart, Sustainable, and Resilient Farms, Ranches, and Working Lands
- $450 million for Extreme Heat Mitigation such as urban greening initiatives that the California Natural Resources Agency oversees
CalWild supports the passage of Prop 4 as it would provide much needed funding towards issues that we actively work on including wildfire and forest resiliency, funding towards 30×30 related projects, and increasing access to nature. As part of this support, we have formally endorsed the climate bond via the Yes on 4 campaign. If you are interested in reading about Prop 4 in further detail, you can find detailed information here.
Photo: Sand To Snow National Monument, Bob Wick
