Episode 8 of The Climate Dispatch podcast is here! Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Youtube. Or go to sc.org/climatedispatch
A group of Silicon Valley billionaires says it has a bold vision for the future of California: a brand-new city built from the ground up on the Solano County prairie. But behind the glossy renderings and promises of sustainability lies a story of secretive land deals, political maneuvering, and growing concerns over public accountability.
In this episode, we investigate the California Forever project, examining the opaque tactics used to quietly acquire more than 50,000 acres of farmland, the allegations surrounding Flannery Associates' efforts to sidestep meaningful public input, and the questions local residents and conservationists are asking about who gets to shape the future of the region.
We also explore what's at stake for one of California's rarest ecosystems. The proposed development sits alongside fragile vernal pool habitat that supports endangered and threatened species, including the California tiger salamander and vernal pool tadpole shrimp. As pressure to build accelerates, we ask whether these unique landscapes, and the wildlife that depends on them, can survive another wave of development.
Who gets to build the future? And who pays the price when it's built in the dark?
Guests:
Miguel Miguel, Director of Sierra Club California
Elizabeth Patterson, Former Mayor of Benicia, CA
Featuring music from Clown Sounds