Azul Applauds California Ocean-Climate Action as 30×30 Becomes Law
For Immediate Release
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Media Contacts
Betsy López-Wagner, López-Wagner Strategies, betsy@equitablecomms.com
Maeve Stewart, López-Wagner Strategies, maeve@equitablecomms.com
Azul Applauds California Ocean-Climate Action as 30×30 Becomes Law
The organization, longtime proponents of 30×30 goal, celebrate state law and signing of #SB337
Sacramento, California – Three years ago, on October 7, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a historic Executive Order aimed at protecting California’s natural resources and biodiversity, and its people. The order pledged to conserve 30 percent of the state’s land and coastal waters while centering environmental justice and equity, historically making the Golden State the first in the nation to lead on “30×30” land and water conservation, and a leader in addressing historic inequities alongside conservation efforts.
California’s leadership stands as a beacon for conservation, access and equity, as “30×30” is codified into state law in another historic action. Amid a number of climate bills, Governor Newsom signed SB337 – introduced by California State Senator Dave Min, with California Assembly Member Ash Kalra as its principal coauthor along with Senator Henry Stern – making his executive order, law.
“California once again rises to the top in its leadership to codify the protection of 30 percent of our ocean and lands into law, while we advance equitable access to nature, its benefits – and nature’s just protection, especially Latinx, Black, Indigenous and all communities of color so California’s natural resources are enjoyed by all for generations to come,” said Azul’s Founder and Executive Director Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš. “Azul is proud to have worked alongside our communities and ocean champions across the years to advance a just 30×30 movement, rooted in equity and access principles, from California to the Federal level since 2019. This immense success follows years of advocacy and community organizing and we look forward to the progress and accountability to meet this law with action. Accelerating environmental and ocean justice-focused solutions to our climate crisis is an immediate necessity – we implore other states to take similar action.”
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Additional background: https://azul.org/en/blog/azul-30×30-california-letter-expectations/
Related news: In 2022, Azul awarded California State Representative Ash Kalra its Estrella Marina Award for his commitment to ocean justice. Kalra authored AB3030 during the California Legislature’s 2019–20 session, which led to the state’s Executive Order featuring the inclusion of environmental justice in efforts to protect at least 30% of the state’s land areas and waters by 2030; to help advance the protection of 30% of the nation’s oceans; and to support regional, national, and international efforts to protect at least 30% of the world’s land areas and waters and 30% of the world’s ocean. The Azul-sponsored bill set the foundation for the U.S. Federal Executive order advancing environmental justice values.