By Bo Tefu
California Black Media

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) as acting governor while he traveled to Washington to support President Biden and travel with him on the campaign trail.

In his capacity as governor, McGuire signed Senate Bill (SB) 867 that clears the way for a ballot measure to appear on the November ballot that connects communities with clean drinking water and protects residents from floods and threats of wildfires.

“The safe drinking water and wildfire prevention bond will sustain and enhance the quality of life in the Golden State by providing communities the resources they need to protect themselves from the growing threat of wildfires and floods and help protect them from the impacts of extreme heat,” said McGuire.

If voters approve the ballot measure that is based on SB 867 — also known as the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 — the State will provide up to $10 billion in funding to help communities avoid and recover from the harmful impacts of any wildfire, flood, and drought.

With the water and wildfire bond, the State is making one of the largest public funding investments in climate change resilience.  McGuire views the bond measure as a critical investment.

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As part of the climate bond agreement, California taxpayers are expected to pay back the bond with interest. Financial analysts estimate that the bond repayment will cost approximately $650 million per year over the next 30 years, costing taxpayers an estimated total of $19 billion.

According to the bond measure, the state is required to invest nearly half the funds in disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.

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By Y’Anad Burrell

On June 7, Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary, made a visit to Green the Church (GTC) in Oakland.

GTC is a Bay Area faith-based environmental advocacy organization.

Ambrose Carroll, Pastor of Renewal Worship Center in Oakland, led Granholm on a tour of one of GTC’s energy sustainability infrastructure sites at McGee Baptist Church in Berkeley. Granholm said she was interested in seeing firsthand and hearing directly from the GTC team about the community’s needs regarding energy efficiency that go beyond the funding GTC has received.

GTC was one of the recipients of the Clean Energy Coalition Prize, a national program that aims to develop partnerships with community-based organizations addressing energy and sustainability challenges.

The prize’s goal is to incentivize the creation of community coalitions — made up of nonprofits, city governments, school systems, and other community organizations — to develop strategies addressing inequities and leverage local clean energy opportunities. The Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the Department of Energy facilitates funding for these initiatives, which partners with state, local, and tribal governments and community organizations. The office manages $16 billion in formula grants, competitive grants, consumer rebate grants and technical assistance.

There is a need for churches and other houses of worship to become organized to take full advantage of these federal programs, say Department of Energy officials.  Green The Church is leading that effort on a national level.  Faith communities are morally obligated to reduce their carbon footprint and encourage climate justice toward marginalized communities. This process takes education, collaboration and engagement.

GTC’s Climate Revival, Justice Symposium and Voter Registration Rally on July 20, 2024, will address all of these issues and provide resources on how the faith community can further steward their resources through an energy sustainability lens.

During Secretary Granholm’s visit, she stated, “I want to partner with Green The Church to advise on additional resources that may be available for this community and those nearby.”

For more information visit www.greenthechurch.org

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By McKenzie Jackson, California Black Media  

It was more than a simple walk in the park for exercisers pacing and jogging around Warner Center Park in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles around midday on July 4.

The weather was “sweltering,” according to one of the parkgoers, an African American man in his 40s who asked to remain anonymous.

“Working out around this time is a way hotter experience than a few weeks ago,” the man continued.

According to weather experts, Californians should not expect a break in the extreme heat any time soon.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorologist David Lawrence said most of the Golden State is experiencing a heat wave.

“We will see daytime high temperatures for many interior areas reaching to 100 to 115 degrees each afternoon. Overnight low temperatures won’t provide much relief — only dipping into the 70s and holding into the lower 80s for some locations,” he explained.

Lawrence was speaking during a July 2 news briefing focused on the current weather conditions, their dangers, and what Californians need to know to stay safe in the blistering weather this summer.

The briefing was organized by Listos California, the state’s disaster readiness program, and hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media.

California Black Media Executive Director Regina Wilson said heat waves can create dangerous fire conditions and catapult temperatures in inland areas of the state into the triple digits.

“As we move into the summer season, hotter and drier conditions mean California will likely face higher risk of wildfires — wildfire smoke, heat, power outages and dangerous water conditions,” she said.

Listos California, the state office in charge of emergency preparedness, has partnered with community groups and offers a resource hub built around an educational campaign to help Californians get ready for disasters related to extreme heat.

Dr. Rita Nguyen, assistant health officer for California and director of population health at the California Department of Public Health, said people underestimate how dangerous heat waves can be.

“Heat waves kills more people directly than any other weather-related hazard,” she said.

She said the people at most risk of experiencing heat-caused health issues include children and infants, senior citizens, pregnant people, people working outdoors or indoors without air conditioning, disabled individuals, unhoused persons, and lower-income people.

The warning signs of heat illness include confusion, vomiting, passing out, heavy sweating, muscle cramps, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, paleness, tiredness, irritability, and dizziness.

Staying hydrated, cool, and informed about the weather forecasts are ways to prevent heat health problems. Nguyen recommended to not drink sugary, caffeinated, or alcoholic drinks, which can dehydrate a person.

California Division of Occupational Safety and Health Program Senior Safety Engineer Charlene Gloriani said, under state law, businesses with employees who work outdoors — such as agricultural workers — are required to give plenty of access to free and clean water and shade to prevent heat-related illnesses.

“Shaded areas must not cause exposure to another health or safety hazard,” she explained. “When temperatures exceed 95 degrees a buddy system should be in place and employees must be monitored for signs of heat illness.”

To get more information on extreme heat and to access resources to help you stay healthy and cool.

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