Update: In a historic win, California voters said YES on Proposition 4— also known as the California Climate Bond. With 58%* of the vote (it needed at least 50% to win), California residents endorsed the largest investment and most significant financial commitment in the state’s history to address our worsening climate crisis. It will provide $10 billion to fight climate hazards like flooding, droughts, and wildfire—while allowing the state to preserve precious natural resources and ensure the health and safety of our communities.
Greenbelt Alliance works to help the Bay Area’s lands and communities adapt to a changing climate, which is why we’re excited to endorse Proposition 4. We’re thrilled that voters have approved making critical investments to prevent wildfires, provide clean and safe drinking water, and protect California’s future. With the growing threats of climate change, safeguarding our communities by building climate resilience has never been more urgent!
Why It Matters
Year after year, Californians consistently rank addressing the impacts of climate change as one of the state’s most critical needs.Over the past decade, the state has faced intense wildfires, droughts, floods, and rising sea levels that have increased significantly in both frequency and severity. These threats not only harm our environment but also endanger the health and livelihoods of millions of Californians. Proposition 4 is designed to address these challenges directly by funding proven strategies to protect communities and mitigate climate risks while simultaneously protecting natural resources like forests, wetlands, and coastlines.
Wildfires, for example, have become an annual crisis. In recent years, California wildfires have burned millions of acres, and their smoke has caused widespread health impacts. Proposition 4 will help reduce the risk and intensity of wildfires by investing in forest health, creating natural firebreaks, and improving early detection and response systems. The bond will also fund projects to safeguard California’s coastline and address the dual threats of sea level rise and groundwater depletion, while also restoring wetlands and forests that act as natural buffers against climate impacts.
Creating a Sustainable Future
Proposition 4 is not just about addressing emergencies in the near term—it will allow us to reimagine how we respond to the challenges we know are coming. Below is a breakdown of how the $10 billion from the bond will be distributed to support critical climate resilience projects across the state:
- $3.8 billion to ensure safe drinking water and increase our water supplies, protecting against drought and water shortages;
- $1.5 billion for wildfire prevention;
- $1.2 billion to protect natural lands, restore forests, and preserve wildlife habitats;
- $1.2 billion to protect coastal health and prepare for rising sea levels, including restoring wetlands and natural shorelines;
- $850 million to build clean energy infrastructure, helping the transition to renewable energy sources;
- $700 million to create parks and green spaces in urban areas, improving quality of life and access to nature;
- $450 million to protect communities from extreme heat by investing in cooling infrastructure and green spaces;
- $300 million to support small and medium farms in conserving water and improving soil health.
This bond will help our state lead the way in climate resilience by supporting nature-based solutions that work with the environment, not against it.
We are grateful that voters decided to to act decisively: Prop 4 will give California the tools it needs to build a more sustainable future for our planet, and those who live on it.
*Preliminary results on November 7, 2024.
Originally published on September 23, 2024.
