Environment California facts for kids
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| Founded | 1970s |
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| Location |
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| Fields | Environmentalism |
Environment California is a group that works to protect our planet, especially in the state of California. They are a nonprofit group, which means they don't aim to make money. Instead, they focus on convincing lawmakers to create new rules and laws that help the environment. They are connected to other similar groups like Environment America.
How Environment California Started
Environment California began in 2003. It took over the environmental work from another group called the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). Since then, Environment California has worked on important projects. For example, in 2006, they supported the Million Solar Roofs Bill. This bill aimed to put solar panels on many homes. In 2007, they also campaigned for the Global Warming Solutions Act. This act was about reducing pollution that causes climate change.
How the Group Works
Environment California works with a group called the Fund for the Public Interest (often called "the Fund"). Together, they try to get people to join Environment California. They also run campaigns across California. They do this by having people go door-to-door or talk to people on the street. This is called canvassing.
The Fund helps Environment California by running these canvassing offices. Their goal is to raise money and get people to support the group's environmental efforts. Sometimes, canvassers are let go if they don't reach certain goals.
Bernadette Del Chiaro, who led Environment California's Clean Energy Program, explained why this door-to-door work is important. She said that talking to people directly really helps more people know about environmental issues. This, in turn, makes it clearer to leaders that they need to act. She shared her thoughts on a website created in 2006 to explain their methods.
However, not everyone agrees with these methods. A book called Activism, Inc. by a professor named Dana Fisher talked about this. She said that this way of raising money might not treat young people fairly. She felt they were not given enough training. This opinion came from a study she did in 2003.
In 2009, the Fund for the Public Interest, which helps Environment California, settled a disagreement. This disagreement was about how some canvassers and staff were paid and trained. The settlement was for US$2.15 million. It affected people who worked for Environment California through the Fund.
See also
- Environment America
- Fund for the Public Interest
- California Public Interest Research Group
- California Environmental Protection Agency
