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Media Contact:
Melanie Flood, Pacific Forest Trust: communications@pacificforest.org or 415-561-0700 ext. 17
Assemblymember Jim Wood leads effort to leverage California’s lands in the fight against climate change:
AB 1433 (The CARBON Act)
SACRAMENTO, California (March 8, 2017) – Assemblymember Jim Wood has introduced the Climate Adaptation and Resilience Based on Nature, or CARBON, Act to leverage the ability of natural lands to reduce carbon emissions and promote adaptation. The CARBON Act would direct 20% of the proceeds from the auction of CO2 pollution allowances into actions that increase net carbon sequestration and keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere for the long term.
“Our natural and working lands play a vital role in stabilizing our climate,” said Wood. “Investing in restoring and protecting these natural systems, we increase our ability to fight climate change and also promote sustainable rural economies. These are among the most cost-effective investments we can make to meet our climate goals.”
“This bill addresses a direct and significant cause of of CO2 emissions statewide, and reverses it. The loss of forest, farm and wetlands has caused literally billions of tons of of CO2 emissions – but, unlike other emissions sectors, these invaluable natural lands can reabsorb those emissions,” said Laurie Wayburn, President of the Pacific Forest Trust which sponsored the bill. “Further, in addition to being California’s largest, most expandable, safe carbon sink, forests, farms and other working lands are vital for our water, food, wildlife, and rural communities.”
California has some of the richest natural resources in the country, and the most effective carbon sinks globally. We rely on this land base for our water, food, rural economies and quality of life. However, California has already lost almost 20% of this vital land base and our carbon stores stand at half or less of their natural levels. In fact, between 2000 and 2010, we lost 500,000 acres in just 10 years. If we don’t take steps to halt the trend, this will increase as our population grows. Doing so will help reduce the threats of climate change, and promote water and food safety.
“This is the logical next step in California’s climate policy, building on the state’s other significant investments in transforming its transportation and energy sectors,” said Andrea Tuttle, former Chief of California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“There is enormous potential to reabsorb of CO2 emissions back into our forests, wetlands and soils, and it will benefit all Californians. The CARBON Act provides the necessary investment to transform how we manage our lands to ensure a more resilient future.”
About Pacific Forest Trust
Since 1993, the Pacific Forest Trust has been dedicated to conserving and sustaining America’s vital, productive forest landscapes. Working with forest owners, communities and an array of partners, we advance innovative, incentive-based strategies to safeguard our nation’s diverse forests. In so doing, we’re ensuring forests continue to provide people everywhere — from rural communities to urban centers — with a wealth of benefits, including clean water, sustainably harvested wood, green jobs, wildlife habitat and a livable climate.