Editor’s note: Sierra Club applauded the defeat of the attempted recall of Gov. Gavin Newson, but there’s more to the story and more to be done to ensure Newsom is held accountable for his agenda, according to Sierra Club California. Following are excerpts from Director Brandon Dawson’s letter.
While we’re happy to see that a potential climate denier won’t be in the governor’s seat, we were really applauding the work our dedicated members and volunteers did to get out the vote. They made thousands of calls, and through their tireless efforts, were able to help defeat the distractive recall campaign.
We did our part. But now it’s time for Governor Newsom to do his. He needs to be a governor who deserves to be retained in office, not just a governor who was less bad than the awful opposition that just tried to replace him.
For environmentalists and climate activists, Newsom’s first three years in office have been frustrating, to say the least. Here are suggestions for improvement:
~ If he wants to be painted as an environmental justice champion, Newsom needs to walk the talk, (referring to his inaction on allowing 2,500-foot setbacks between oil facilities and homes, schools et al).
~ Direct State agencies to protect the environment. (Such as, State Water Board stalling on quality regulations, urging CA Energy Commission to get methane gas out of homes and commercial businesses and State Parks to halt off-road vehicles tearing up sensitive areas.)
~ Meet with your base. (Newsom has met with environmental group leaders ‘a grand total of one time’. Yet he was endorsed by most eco-groups for his election and the recall effort.)
~ Stop supporting harmful projects. (Examples include the Delta Tunnel, expansion of off-road vehicle parks and fracking.)
~ Take bold action now on climate change and renewable issues. (End fossil fuel reliance earlier than 2045, increase use of clean energy and move to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2030 and protect lands and waters from climate change impacts.
Sierra Club California Executive Director, Brandon Dawson