Vote for Climate Resilience in CA

Voter Proposition 4 on the ballot in California this year establishes a roadmap for a $10 billion climate bond to protect California’s coasts and prepare for sea level rise, preserve natural areas, ensure clean water, create parks and green space, prevent wildfires, and build out clean energy infrastructure.  Prop 4 includes several funding programs including $1.2 billion to increase coastal and ocean resiliency and to protect coastal lands, waters, communities, natural resources, and urban waterfronts from sea level rise and other climate impacts. Eligible projects for this proposed coastal resilience funding include: 

• Restoration of beaches, coastal wetlands, dunes, subtidal and riparian areas, natural infrastructure projects to address coastal flood resilience, and enhanced access to coastal recreation areas - $415,000,000
• Living shorelines and sea level rise adaptation projects that emphasize nature-based solutions over traditionally engineered gray infrastructure - $350,000,000
• Protection and restoration of blue carbon ecosystems, including estuarine habitat, kelp forests, eelgrass meadows, and native oyster beds, or maintenance of the state’s system of marine protected areas -$135,000,000
• Sea level rise mitigation and adaptation plans implementation focused on coastal state parks and recreation areas -  $125,000,000
• Advancing climate ready fisheries, including kelp ecosystem restoration - $75,000,000

In addition to the funding solely for coastal resilience and sea level rise adaptation, Prop 4 also includes $1.2 billion for accelerating nature-based solutions, protecting natural lands and waters, and restoring habitat to achieve the state’s climate change goals.

Prop 4 will also have significant benefits for the communities plagued by the ongoing pollution crisis at the U.S./ Mexico border. Prop 4 will provide $50 million to fund much-needed wastewater infrastructure improvement projects necessary to stop the flow of transboundary pollution into the Tijuana River Valley and the Pacific Ocean.  

Surfrider Foundation endorses this bill and urges Californians to vote Yes on Prop 4. The future of our prized coastlines, clean water, and safe, resilient communities depend on it. 

Prop 4 is endorsed by a broad coalition of nearly 200 public safety leaders, clean water experts, environmental organizations, small businesses, and many more.  Learn more about this initiative and who supports it here.