Newsdeck

Newsdeck

California extends tough climate policy measures to 2030

California legislators late Monday approved extending the state's tough measures to fight climate change to 2030, a major victory for Democratic Governor Jerry Brown.

The “cap-and-trade” measure — which cuts greenhouse gas emissions by using free market methods — was approved by the state Assembly and Senate by a two-thirds majority.

Brown, a 79 year-old governor of the most populous US state, wants to make California a leader in meeting standards set by the Paris climate accord, especially after President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the agreement on June 1.

“Tonight, California stood tall and once again, boldly confronted the existential threat of our time,” Brown wrote on Twitter.

“Republicans and Democrats set aside their differences, came together and took courageous action. That’s what good government looks like,” Brown wrote.

In the five-year-old measure, California set a statewide limit on greenhouse gas emissions, and polluting companies are mandated to buy permits for each metric ton of gas they emit.

These limits decrease over time, and companies that pollute more can buy emission credits from those that pollute less.

Brown gave a passionate presentation to the state Assembly on Thursday in support of the measure.

“Climate change is real. It is a threat to organized human existence,” said Brown.

“This isn’t about some cockamamie legacy,” he told the members. “This isn’t for me, I’m going to be dead. It’s for you and it’s damn real.”

The Assembly also approved a measure to increase air pollution monitoring and increase penalties on polluters. DM

Gallery

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

We would like our readers to start paying for Daily Maverick...

…but we are not going to force you to. Over 10 million users come to us each month for the news. We have not put it behind a paywall because the truth should not be a luxury.

Instead we ask our readers who can afford to contribute, even a small amount each month, to do so.

If you appreciate it and want to see us keep going then please consider contributing whatever you can.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options

Become a Maverick Insider

This could have been a paywall

On another site this would have been a paywall. Maverick Insider keeps our content free for all.

Become an Insider

Every seed of hope will one day sprout.

South African citizens throughout the country are standing up for our human rights. Stay informed, connected and inspired by our weekly FREE Maverick Citizen newsletter.