May 25 2025
It has been nearly two months in my tenure as the Director for Sierra Club California, and in this short time, I have had many opportunities to reflect on the work our team has already accomplished. Being raised in a Latino household, I quickly learned the importance of working collaboratively as a family and as leaders. Like a well-coordinated dance, my brain could not comprehend how parties or even just gatherings were accomplished so flawlessly. For me, the choreographer was always my mother, who led with poise and inclusion. In seeing her leadership, I have reflected within these few days on our current leader for the State of California.
On May 14th, Governor Newsom released his revised budget for the State, known as the May Revise. This revision faced the brunt of budget deficits and poor decisions from Newsom, and revealed a troubling pattern in his administration's approach to environmental justice. The Governor’s administration has consistently presented itself as a global climate leader, championing ambitious goals and making grand pronouncements. We've heard about carbon neutrality, the phasing out of internal combustion engines, and significant investments in renewable energy. On paper, these targets sound great, and they suggest a state moving towards a sustainable future. Initiatives like the pursuit of commitments to drastically reduce California's carbon footprint are critical wins for frontline communities, and point to the success of years of relentless advocacy and a recognition of environmental health disparities.
However, these commitments are now in danger due to cuts to climate and environmental programs that are a direct reflection of poor financial foresight and a willingness to sacrifice long-term environmental and community health for short-term fixes. This is not the leadership of a "choreographer" like my mother, who ensures all parties are supported and the outcome is flawless. Instead, it feels like an uneven dance, with the burden falling disproportionately on those who can least afford it.
The most concerning aspect of Governor Newsom's legacy on environmental justice is the stark disconnect between his progressive promises and the tangible realities on the ground. While he articulates a vision of a green California, his administration continues to permit new fossil fuel projects and infrastructure, directly undermining the state's climate goals and perpetuating the disproportionate health burdens on communities of color and low-income areas. This fundamental contradiction is not just a disappointment but rather a direct betrayal to the very communities that require a leader willing to help the most in need regardless of the risks.
There is much to consider in analyzing Governor Newsom's legacy on the work towards environmental justice and at best we can say it is divided. Incremental pace and over promised intentions consistently characterize the need for a leader willing to act with the level of urgency the climate crisis requires. Therefore, these decisions should serve as a reminder that we cannot rely on promises but rather we must demand actionable, equitable outcomes, and that begins with the right leader.
For environmental justice to truly flourish in California, we need leadership that is not merely reactive but proactively dismantling the systemic inequalities. We need a commitment that transcends press conferences and targets, translating into bold, uncompromised action that puts the lives and health of frontline communities first. Until then, Sierra Club’s California vigilance and advocacy must remain sharper than ever.
Sincerely,
Miguel Miguel
Director
Sierra Club California is the Sacramento-based legislative and regulatory advocacy arm of the 13 California chapters of the Sierra Club.
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