Special thanks to EJAC for raising the scope and value of NWL in
the revised plan. Overall, however, the current plan still does not
adequately address needs of rural agricultural communities. Ag in
this context encompasses crop lands, animal production, grasslands
and forests, tribal lands and fisheries, and the wetlands and
waterways essential to their maintenance. Ongoing involvement by a
permanent EJAC are essential to maintain progress in these areas,
where workers and residents are disproportionately low income and
people of color. Both existing and proposed fossil fuel and waste
storage projects or often cited in or near these communities, with
associated risks of pollution and environmental harm.
California must neither replicate nor perpetuate the global
pattern that allows the lowest contributors to climate change to
bear the brunt of its effects. Due to costs and reduced information
and access, electric conversions will be difficult for rural
communities who already lack access to public transit and to
housing prepared for climate extremes. Our communities also share
the need for neighborhood tree cover and greening, workforce
training, and liveable wages for a just transition.
More rapid pesticide reduction and conversion to organic has
co-benefits of reduction of pollution and health risks and
increased natural carbon capture. Beyond these goals, we need an
overall transformation of our food system to restore biodiversity
and promote decentralization. These changes must occur at multiple
levels, from how our food is grown and distributed to the microbial
composition of our soils. We can reduce fossil fuel use and improve
soil sequestration by this transformation. Growing and eating
healthy, local food goes hand in hand with a healthy climate.
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