SF Blue Tech’s Post

Last month, Save The Bay’s policy team, Greenbelt Alliance and SPUR went to Sacramento to advocate in favor of a climate bond. We met with representatives from 11 Assembly offices, including Assemblymembers Bonta, Wilson, and Bauer-Kahan. Our message was simple – California cannot afford to delay climate adaptation. Given the state’s budget challenges, a sizable climate bond is critical to keep our adaptation projects on track and reduce the risk of climate disaster in our communities in the coming years. We’re hopeful that the Governor and legislature will agree to a bond of at least $10 billion that will include funding for wildfire mitigation and forest health, drought and drinking water resilience, protections against extreme heat, new investments in clean energy, and nature-based flood and sea level rise resilience. But unless the legislature acts before the end of June, voters won’t get the chance to weigh in on this bond measure in November.  You can help by telling your legislators to support a climate bond now, and to include significant funding for the State Coastal Conservancy. Find your representatives in Sacramento and give them a call today. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3mCJ6b2 #ClimateBondNow #CABudget #CALeg #TakeAction

With climate impacts like coastal flooding, sea level rise, and extreme weather on the rise, it’s no surprise that that coastal resilience funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is already in huge demand, with a recent call for proposals from NOAA generating $16 billion in requests across 869 proposals. But House Republicans are advancing legislation in a markup today that would rescind $700 million for coastal resilience from the Inflation Reduction Act, including $390 for tribal priorities. Many of HR 7408's cosponsors are representing places–from the Gulf, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts–that are receiving this funding and reaping the benefits for their environment & economies. More communities deserve the same. We joined 60 organizations urging Congress to reject Rep. Westerman’s egregious attempt to rescind these critically needed funds. We need #OceanClimateAction, not climate denial.

With floods, droughts, rising sea levels, or changes in the ocean food chains, most Americans experience the impacts of climate change through water. That’s the reason why the Walton Family Foundation supported the creation of the Inaugural Valuing Water Finance Initiative Benchmark report through Ceres, Inc. The report assesses 72 companies on their journeys to meet Corporate Expectations for Valuing Water and focuses on six areas: water quantity, water quality, ecosystem protection, access to water and sanitation, board oversight, and public policy engagement. Read the report at: https://ow.ly/BjnT50Q3f1p

Climate change presents complex legal challenges and opportunities that require lawyers to stay informed, adapt their practices, and develop innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of their clients. Take a look at our extensive resources available, thanks to Groundsure Australia, and gain invaluable insights on the impact of coastal erosion, bushfires, and floods. Explore now: https://lnkd.in/gRpKxsSa

PROPERTY VALUES, LAND USE, AND THE FORCES OF NATURE The Australian Conveyancer Magazine commissioned climate research to understand the impact of relentless weather events on property values and land's future use and potential zoning changes. Although it's a global issue, we put a spotlight on NSW as the state has taken the brunt of bushfires, flooding, and coastal erosion in the past five years. Climate analysts Groundsure provided a 30-year outlook for the state's 128 local government areas to assess the level of risk land lots face for the next generation. More lightning strikes to cause more fires? Deeper floodwaters? More lost beaches? We examine the hot spots. This special Spotlight report released Thursday, February 15, is not intended to frighten people, but instead prompt important conversations about protecting lives, family assets, property values, and what governments and the industry's peak bodies should do to in the interests of all stakeholders. Look for this cover. The Australian Conveyancer magazine is free to view and download.

This piece does a nice job exploring the painful nexus of climate change and property taxes in Florida. I do think, though, that the continual reliance on existing policy tools, coupled with our unwillingness to admit that many places just shouldn't be inhabited, are major stumbling blocks to truly adapting to a changing climate that the authors don't quite tackle. Truly adapting to climate change will require new policy solutions and major changes to where people live, especially in States like Florida. https://lnkd.in/eAPFXkxK

The way we use land in England will need to change if we are to address the nature and climate crises. The Government’s promised land use framework could play a huge role in this, but without the institutional, financial and legal levers to create change on the ground, it could be just another strategy on a shelf. In our new briefing, we set out what a land use framework for England should look like, and how it should be implemented. It must integrate national and local decision-making to inform and incentivise greener land use decisions at a local and national level. https://lnkd.in/ewj_6W39

The Public Review Draft of the California Water Plan Update 2023 has been released. This comprehensive plan is meant to guide water managers, including water districts, cities, counties, and Tribal communities to better prepare and plan for a future with climate extremes. Highlights of this version’s update include addressing the urgency of climate change, strengthening watershed resilience, and achieving equity in water management. To get an overview of what’s in the plan and how it can shape a resilient and equitable future for water in the Golden State, check out our digital article: https://lnkd.in/d_i8977W. This release marks the start of the public comment period from Sept. 20 - Oct. 19. To review the full draft and learn how to submit a comment visit: https://lnkd.in/dnAa2V_y #california #water #2023

#climatechange litigation: Vermont is now joining Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York in a multistate effort to hold Big Oil accountable for the expensive damage wrought by climate change. Bills on the docket in all four states demand that oil companies pay states millions for such impacts by funding, as Vermont’s proposal outlines, energy efficiency retrofits, water utility improvements, solar microgrids, and stormwater drainage, just to name a few resiliency programs. #insurance #underwriting #insuranceindustry #reinsurance https://lnkd.in/ey3qFtUS