California Climate Emergency
The science is clear: we must stop drilling for oil and gas if we want to maintain a livable planet. Unfortunately, greedy oil and gas companies continue to extract every last drop, putting the planet on a dangerous course to render our beloved California unlivable. As one of the world’s largest economies and a major oil and gas producer, California has an important role to play in building a future beyond fossil fuels and showing the rest of the world that a sustainable clean energy future is possible.
That’s why Greenpeace USA’s California Campaign works alongside frontline communities, local activists, like-minded organizations, and elected officials to:
- Educate and mobilize tens of thousands of Californians around the climate emergency;
- Bring attention to wildfires, droughts, heat, and other extreme weather events fueled by the climate crisis;
- Replace broken political systems that polluters exploit with people-powered democracy that works for all;
- Uplift a just transition for oil workers and communities that ensure no one is left behind on the pathway to a clean energy economy; and
- Demand politicians use their power to create and maintain health buffer zones between toxic drilling and where people live, work, and play as a first step on the way to a complete phase out of fossil fuel production in the state.
As a direct result of this work, California Governor Gavin Newsom has already taken some major steps to move California off fossil fuels, including:
- Ending fracking — an oil and gas extraction technique that endangered our communities, our water, and our future — throughout the state;
- Announcing that the state of California was suing the five biggest oil companies for their decades of lies and damage;
- Signing into law AB 421 to bring clearer voting language and greater transparency at the ballot box;
- Passing a price gouging penalty on oil refineries that attempt to rip off Californians at the pump;
- Signing into law SB 1137, a bill that prevents new drilling and rework permits within 3,200 feet of where people live, work, and play;
- Signing a state budget that included a $40 million fund that could be available for direct payments to fossil fuel workers for wage replacement and healthcare; and
- Announcing a goal to phase out oil production by no later than 2045, with a dramatic decline in new drilling permits issued in the last two years.
California is ground-zero for climate change and while these steps show commitment and progress, the crisis we face demands more. We must use this momentum to boldly and swiftly do what is needed to protect our planet and our future. That’s why we’re building people power in California — to:
- Ensure California has a future without the toxic practice of neighborhood oil drilling, on the way towards a full phase out of fossil fuels across the state;
- Move elected officials to ensure that the fossil fuel industry addresses its toxic legacy of harm through legislative, regulatory, and compensatory actions; and
- Highlight the positive impacts of a just transition away from oil, gas, and coal for workers and communities.
If you would like to learn about political and electoral work, visit Greenpeace USA Votes.
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As United Nations climate negotiations began in Dubai, Greenpeace USA sent a message showing the iconic Hollywood Sign appearing to burn up, be covered in oil, and sending a strong message to Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden, and other world leaders demanding real climate action. The video features extreme weather events impacting California and calls out major oil companies fueling the climate crisis.
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Last Chance Alliance activists hold a rally outside Governor Newsom’s State of the State address to highlight the environmental and public health threats posed by California’s oil industry. Activists and community members living on the frontlines of oil production held banners and chanted their demands to underscore the urgency of the climate crisis. The Alliance is comprised of more than 700 environmental, health, justice, faith, labor, community, parent, and consumer organizations.
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Last Chance Alliance activists hold a rally outside Governor Newsom’s State of the State address to highlight the environmental and public health threats posed by California’s oil industry. Activists and community members living on the frontlines of oil production held banners and chanted their demands to underscore the urgency of the climate crisis. The Alliance is comprised of more than 700 environmental, health, justice, faith, labor, community, parent, and consumer organizations.
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Greenpeace USA activists sail out on the San Francisco Bay with a message for Congress and the oil industry. The activists display a banner reading "Oil Is Over, The Future Is Up to You" next to the Amazon Flacon, one of dozens of crude oil tankers stuck off the California coast as the oil industry grinds to a halt. This action comes as Congress begins negotiations on the next coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus package, and as the oil industry unleashes a lobbying frenzy in hopes of securing taxpayer dollars to prop up its obsolete business model.
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Activists gather near Inglewood Oil Field in Los Angeles, one of the largest contiguous urban oil fields in the country, to urge the Governor of California to take action to phase out fossil fuels, beginning with those within 2500 feet of homes and other sensitive sites.
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An oil tanker headed to Chevron’s Richmond refinery crossed the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5 picket line in the San Francisco Bay. Two boats with activists from Greenpeace USA and USW workers sailed in solidarity with the nearly 500 workers from Chevron’s Richmond refinery who have been on strike as they fight for a new labor contract from Chevron’s leadership. The boats expanded the picket line from the land into the water.
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A team of Greenpeace US activists display banners off the balcony in the California State Capitol Building urging the Legislature to “Make Big Oil Pay” by passing a windfall profits cap on fossil fuel companies in the state. The Legislature, which commenced their special session, will explore a price gouging penalty for oil companies at the direction of California Governor Newsom.
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Heavy machinery being used to build sand berms to block additional oil in the ocean from entering Talbert Marsh and the Santa Ana River pass close to where Greenpeace US activists etch a message in the sand following a massive spill that leaked at least 144,000 gallons of oil from a broken pipeline connected to an offshore drilling platform about five miles off the coast of Orange County, CA. Damage has been done to local wildlife and wetlands which can take decades to recover. This latest disaster is just another example of why we must phase out oil and gas extraction both onshore and offshore.
The Hollywood Sign is burning … because of Big Oil
Just before United Nations climate negotiations began in fall 2023, Greenpeace USA lit up the Hollywood Sign with a message to Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden, and other world leaders — we demand an end to the age of oil.
Climate Change in the Courts
In 2023, the state of California filed suit against the five biggest oil companies for their decades of lies and deception. In response, oil companies unveiled a “game-ending” strategy to kill climate cases and dodge liability. Jane Fonda (actor and activist) and Rob Bonta (California Attorney General) make sense of this climate reckoning in the courts and share the inside scoop on landmark cases.
California Climate Action: Why It Matters To Us All
When it comes to bold action aimed at protecting our planet and communities from climate disaster, California is a trendsetter for the rest of the nation. Jane Fonda (actor and activist), Manuel Pastor, Ph.D. (Distinguished Professor of Sociology, University of Southern California), and Christine Cordero (Co-Director, Asian Pacific Environmental Network [APEN]), discuss why the future of our climate — and politics — may lie with California.
Wildfires in the West
Actor, Activist, and Fire Drill Fridays Founder, Jane Fonda, welcomes WWE superstar and passionate environmentalist, Brie Bella, and Greenpeace USA wildfire expert, Amy Moas, Ph.D., to discuss how climate-driven wildfires are changing the livability of places we love in the Western US. Find out more about why these wildfires are worsening, how they are impacting people, and what we can do about it.
Climate Victories in California
Actor, Activist, and Fire Drill Fridays Founder, Jane Fonda, welcomes California State Senator, Lena Gonzalez, and community organizer, Maricruz Ramirez, to discuss and celebrate the historic climate and public health victory in California. Jane, Senator Gonzalez, and Maricruz will shed light on what this victory means for people and our planet, and the lessons along the way that can help us strengthen the climate movement.
Wildfires in California and Climate Chaos
Nalleli Cobo (youth activist and 2022 Goldman Environmental Prize winner) talks to Amy Moas, Ph.D. (Greenpeace USA wildfire expert) about the importance of fire in California and what California Governor Newsom needs to do so that the fossil fuel industry stops feeding climate chaos.