State Sen. Josh Becker, D-Menlo Park, is in attendance at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this week to share how California is meeting its clean energy goals amidst pushback on climate priorities from the federal government, according to a press release from his office.
Although the Trump administration — which did not attend the conference, known as COP30 — is actively prioritizing investment in nonrenewable energy like oil and coal and eschewing environmental goals, California continues to be a leader in the clean energy sector, Becker said.
“President Trump does not speak for all Americans. In California, we continue to believe that confronting climate change and accelerating the transition to clean energy is not just an environmental priority — it’s a moral, economic, and public health imperative,” Becker said in the press release Nov. 10.
During the event, which is hosted in Brazil, Becker sat on a panel discussion titled “California Climate Leadership: Progress, Headwinds and the Path Ahead.”
He highlighted recent legislative accomplishments, including an extension of the cap-and-trade program, which provides key limits on carbon emissions and creates a tradable market for carbon emissions credits, as well as a bill to support regionalization of the western energy grid, per the press release.
Becker also spoke to future priorities, including continuing to reduce utility rates — which have reached peak highs across the state — and transitioning to zero-emission vehicles.
“California can’t wait for Washington to lead,” he said in the press release. “We’re showing that progress is possible — even in the face of political opposition. Our job is to deploy the clean technologies that work today, and to innovate the solutions the world will need tomorrow.”
Hilarious. One can’t miss the hypocrisy of Mr. Becker sharing how California is allegedly meeting its clean energy goals while wasting taxpayer money in taking planes, trains and/or automobiles to attend COP30 in person instead of using Zoom. Hey Mr. Becker, could you comment on the approximately 100,000 trees removed for a new four-lane highway for folks to get to COP30? Or the folks taking 400+ private jets and who knows how many commercial jets, trains, automobiles, ships, etc. to get to COP30? I don’t know about others but I’m not receiving any message of clean energy goals from Mr. Becker or Newsom, who I believe also attended in person), only a message of hypocrisy.
Interestingly, the countries with the highest CO2 emissions were not there, China, India and the USA. According to COP30, the first two are still considered developing economies and if Trump had not bailed out of the Paris Accords, we would be paying these countries and others 700 billion per year for climate change mitigation. Imagine, China and India claiming damages that they cause themselves. This spectacle, in the middle of nowhere, is a farce but don't tell Becker and others who love purposeless shindigs that their presence is meaningless and a joke foisted on the taxpayers. When even the originators like Bill Gates and those who wrote the Charter are bailing out, we should bill Becker and others from California for their outrageous waste of taxpayer money. Who authorized him to attend anyway?
We should be paying these countries climate change mitigation as America has outsourced manufacturing to companies in this country. These aren't just Chinese emissions, these are emissions created through American consumerism.
Each person in the US creates 3x, 4x, even 10x the amount many developing nations are.
And China is investing heavily into new renewable technologies whereas the US is drifting into the dark ages of coal and oil - what's next steam engines and steam ships?
easygerd - please name one viable climate action mitigation activity that can provide measurable results. Why not get the Swiss bank account numbers from these countries' despots and make a direct deposit? Even the Europeans are shutting down or are canceling wind farm contracts as they are not a sustainable source of energy generation. Solar is becoming such a hassle to schedule that their power companies are now refusing to pay for the electricity that would be supplied to the grid. You may not be aware that the Hawaiian Electric Company will not accept excess generation from solar systems either. You may need to continue focusing on e-bikes and bicycle lanes because your knowledge of climate actions and energy policies need major updates. With all of the COP hullabaloo, carbon emission continue to increase and those increases are not due to US efforts or pressure beyond our borders. It is called economic growth in countries that would like a decent standard of living. Perhaps you would like to return to the days when we routinely saw pictures of starving children in India and China.
eGerd – Tbot here. Mr. van Ulden has done an admirable job explaining why your arguments hold no water but I’ll add a corollary. I believe the last large US coal plant was built over 10 years ago. Meanwhile, we know China and India are increasing their numbers of coal plants. You need to get your facts straight if you want us to take you seriously. When you say, “We should be paying these countries climate change mitigation…” perhaps you can tell us how much you and like minded people are paying these countries. Because I’m betting it is a giant goose egg. Similar to how much you’re contributing to bicycle infrastructure. BTW, China is under no obligation to manufacture goods for what you call “American consumerism” so if you want to take the blame for your share of emissions, please do so and pay them. Thank you in advance.
The question really is what does a Senator from San Mateo County even have to offer at COP? Tips and tricks on "greenwashing" and fooling voters?
We have miles and miles of coast lines and steady bayside winds and not even one windmill in the County. The county's solar production is mostly residential rooftops.
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) is paying Shasta and Kern county for bragging rights so they can claim, they own Shasta Dam and old and outdated Kern wind energy.
It's basically "greenwashing" of the most unsophisticated manner possible.
San Mateo cities don't build bike lanes and are now banning e-bikes - the only real Zero Emission Vehicles available.
Josh Becker's mentee even voted to remove bike lanes for schools ... in a low-income, Equity Priority Area - how pathetic is that as a climate change or equity solution?
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(7) comments
Hilarious. One can’t miss the hypocrisy of Mr. Becker sharing how California is allegedly meeting its clean energy goals while wasting taxpayer money in taking planes, trains and/or automobiles to attend COP30 in person instead of using Zoom. Hey Mr. Becker, could you comment on the approximately 100,000 trees removed for a new four-lane highway for folks to get to COP30? Or the folks taking 400+ private jets and who knows how many commercial jets, trains, automobiles, ships, etc. to get to COP30? I don’t know about others but I’m not receiving any message of clean energy goals from Mr. Becker or Newsom, who I believe also attended in person), only a message of hypocrisy.
Interestingly, the countries with the highest CO2 emissions were not there, China, India and the USA. According to COP30, the first two are still considered developing economies and if Trump had not bailed out of the Paris Accords, we would be paying these countries and others 700 billion per year for climate change mitigation. Imagine, China and India claiming damages that they cause themselves. This spectacle, in the middle of nowhere, is a farce but don't tell Becker and others who love purposeless shindigs that their presence is meaningless and a joke foisted on the taxpayers. When even the originators like Bill Gates and those who wrote the Charter are bailing out, we should bill Becker and others from California for their outrageous waste of taxpayer money. Who authorized him to attend anyway?
We should be paying these countries climate change mitigation as America has outsourced manufacturing to companies in this country. These aren't just Chinese emissions, these are emissions created through American consumerism.
Each person in the US creates 3x, 4x, even 10x the amount many developing nations are.
And China is investing heavily into new renewable technologies whereas the US is drifting into the dark ages of coal and oil - what's next steam engines and steam ships?
easygerd - please name one viable climate action mitigation activity that can provide measurable results. Why not get the Swiss bank account numbers from these countries' despots and make a direct deposit? Even the Europeans are shutting down or are canceling wind farm contracts as they are not a sustainable source of energy generation. Solar is becoming such a hassle to schedule that their power companies are now refusing to pay for the electricity that would be supplied to the grid. You may not be aware that the Hawaiian Electric Company will not accept excess generation from solar systems either. You may need to continue focusing on e-bikes and bicycle lanes because your knowledge of climate actions and energy policies need major updates. With all of the COP hullabaloo, carbon emission continue to increase and those increases are not due to US efforts or pressure beyond our borders. It is called economic growth in countries that would like a decent standard of living. Perhaps you would like to return to the days when we routinely saw pictures of starving children in India and China.
eGerd – Tbot here. Mr. van Ulden has done an admirable job explaining why your arguments hold no water but I’ll add a corollary. I believe the last large US coal plant was built over 10 years ago. Meanwhile, we know China and India are increasing their numbers of coal plants. You need to get your facts straight if you want us to take you seriously. When you say, “We should be paying these countries climate change mitigation…” perhaps you can tell us how much you and like minded people are paying these countries. Because I’m betting it is a giant goose egg. Similar to how much you’re contributing to bicycle infrastructure. BTW, China is under no obligation to manufacture goods for what you call “American consumerism” so if you want to take the blame for your share of emissions, please do so and pay them. Thank you in advance.
The question really is what does a Senator from San Mateo County even have to offer at COP? Tips and tricks on "greenwashing" and fooling voters?
We have miles and miles of coast lines and steady bayside winds and not even one windmill in the County. The county's solar production is mostly residential rooftops.
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) is paying Shasta and Kern county for bragging rights so they can claim, they own Shasta Dam and old and outdated Kern wind energy.
It's basically "greenwashing" of the most unsophisticated manner possible.
San Mateo cities don't build bike lanes and are now banning e-bikes - the only real Zero Emission Vehicles available.
Josh Becker's mentee even voted to remove bike lanes for schools ... in a low-income, Equity Priority Area - how pathetic is that as a climate change or equity solution?
I fully agree with your comments.
Maybe we need a new, more intelligent state senator who has true leadership skills.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.