Climate Coalition Presses Lawmakers to Stand Up to Big Oil

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California climate advocates will converge on Sacramento Tuesday, calling on legislative leaders to resist pressure from the oil industry and take concrete steps toward a cleaner energy future.

The gathering is part of Green California’s annual Advocacy Day, described by organizers as the state’s largest environmental lobby day. The network brings together more than 130 organizations working across environmental protection, public health and climate justice.

Advocates say the event comes at a decisive point in the legislative calendar, as lawmakers consider end-of-session priorities following what the coalition describes as a session marked by outsized corporate influence. Their message to legislative leaders is direct: reject business as usual, stand firm against pressure from Big Oil and advance policies that put Californians first.

Throughout Advocacy Day, participating organizations will meet with lawmakers and legislative staff to present a unified environmental agenda. The annual event is intended to give groups from across California a collective voice on policies affecting the state’s air, water, natural resources, public health and transition to cleaner energy.

A public gathering featuring Green California representatives is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Thirtyfour Mexican Cantina, 1100 O St., Suite 5, in Sacramento.

Scheduled participants include state Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who represents Senate District 38; Shannon Olivieri Hovis, chief strategy officer for California Environmental Voters; Asha Sharma, deputy director of Sierra Club California; and Ada Waelder, senior state legislative representative for Earthjustice.

The coalition’s broader goal is to persuade lawmakers to deliver meaningful environmental and climate policies before the legislative session ends. Advocates contend that California’s political leaders must decide whether the state will continue allowing powerful corporate interests to shape energy policy or move more decisively toward cleaner energy, stronger public-health protections and climate justice.