TreePeople Statement On Governor Jerry Brown’s Executive Order Setting Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets

April 29, 2015

TREEPEOPLE STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN’S BREAKING EXECUTIVE ORDER SETTING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION TARGETS

LOS ANGELES, Calif.— Today Governor Jerry Brown signed an Executive Order calling for a greenhouse gas emissions target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. TreePeople applauds this move as it makes way for California to stay on track to reach its goal of reducing emissions to be 80% under 1990 levels by 2050, and to more aggressively address and mitigate the effects of climate change already impacting our communities, natural resources and public health.

Building climate-resilience and reducing greenhouse gases through increasing, restoring and enhancing Los Angeles area forests (urban and natural) and other natural carbon-absorbing spaces, as detailed in Gov. Brown’s Executive Order, has been a top priority for TreePeople for decades. TreePeople has demonstrated the viability of green infrastructure in achieving climate resiliency and sustainability, and now the work lies in the translation of these concepts into policies so this vision can be taken to scale.

“California is now leading the way as a global model in its ability to adapt to climate change and drought, and can be a model for other communities to create a more resilient, viable future by leveraging green infrastructure, progressive policies and behavior change” TreePeople Founder and President Andy Lipkis said.

“TreePeople looks forward to working with Governor Brown and applauds his leadership. We stand by ready to deploy the programs, education, policy influence and grassroots action to support his ambitious targets to create livable, climate-resilient communities.”

California’s leadership is closely aligned in their efforts, both at the state and local levels as reflected with this new Executive Order, and in Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Sustainability pLAn released earlier this month.

For 20 years, TreePeople has empowered agencies, legislators, community leaders and individuals to make way for the behavior changes and policies needed to adapt to the world’s changing climate.

TreePeople, a 42-year-old nonprofit organization, thrives in its mission to inspire, engage, and support the people of Los Angeles to take responsibility and participate in the vision of a safe, healthy, fun and sustainable city.

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By Jessica Jewell

Jessica is TreePeople’s Director of Marketing and Communications. A native Southern Californian, you can find her wandering local trails, hanging out with her sidekick, Penny the Rescue Puppy, on her yoga mat, reading some Phillip K. Dick, or in her kitchen cooking up vegan confections.

Jessica's professional background goes back to her time working at PETA where she worked on celebrity campaigns, and a stint in the entertainment industry, where she worked at Technicolor on their Global Marketing Team.