California

Individual and household economic precarity is increasingly important in the context of the climate crisis. The household finances of low-income and communities of color are already experiencing impacts “first and worst. California created the CalAccount program, a free and accessible public option for basic financial transactions. Key features of the CalAccount program include: accessibility for individuals who may not have government-issued photo identification and individuals who do not have permanent housing; enabling and streamlining remittance of local, state, and federal benefit and public assistance payments; enabling payroll direct deposit; establishing a process and terms and conditions for registered payees; and requiring landlords to allow a tenant to pay rent and security deposits by electronic funds from CalAccount. As a free public option for Californians to access their money, CalAccount would significantly improve the financial resilience of vulnerable households in the context of climate (and other) hazards.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including polls on extreme weather, Republicans' views, drought, and more.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new findings about Americans’ water pollution concerns and new polling in political battlegrounds, including Florida and competitive U.S. House districts in California.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including new polling on climate change and extreme weather nationally and in California.

This post includes climate and environment headlines, data points, and key takeaways from recent public polls - including on the infrastructure required for the electric vehicle transition and Californians supporting climate action at the state level.

California has been investing in a clean energy transition for decades, and, in recent years, has increasingly targeted funds to under-resourced and marginalized communities. Other states and the federal government have likewise stepped up. There is much to learn from California’s considerable experience. Our report series analyzes California’s decision-making structures — the processes that determine priorities and the mechanisms that turn broad justice principles into action. Our analysis and recommendations are intended to improve California’s programs, help emerging state programs consider the strengths and weaknesses of California’s institutional landscape, and influence emerging federal funding mechanisms.