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Los Angeles Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
California moves closer to ‘30x30' conservation goals as threats to public lands loom
California officials have moved closer to their goal of conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters by the target year of 2030, a revelation that arrives as the Trump administration advances directives that could claw back areas that were set aside. Nearly five years after the inception of the so-called 30x30 initiative, California has conserved 26.1% of its lands and 21.9% of its coastal waters — or roughly 41,000 square miles and 1,150 square miles, respectively — according to a California Natural Resources Agency report released Monday. In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that set the 30x30 effort in motion. The initiative kicked off in earnest two years later when officials released a detailed road map for the plan. At that time, approximately 23.8% of lands and 16.2% of coastal waters were conserved. The stated goals of the 30x30 initiative extend beyond conservation. The plan also seeks to restore biodiversity, expand Californians' access to nature and help mitigate and build resilience to climate change. Now at the halfway point in the initiative, the state needs to protect less than 4 million acres of land and 283,000 acres of coastal waters to meet its goal. Wade Crowfoot, secretary of the CNRA, said the state is on track to hit its target — but could be stymied by the federal government, which owns nearly half of California's lands. Earlier this year, Trump terminated a national version of the 30x30 plan known as the America the Beautiful initiative. 'Federal attacks on public lands and environmental protections ... could impact our progress,' Crowfoot said, 'and we could actually see — if these federal attacks are successful — our acreage moving backwards.' In the past year, an additional 853,000 acres of land and 191,000 acres of water were conserved in California — representing an area the size of Glacier National Park in Montana, the report states. The majority of that land — roughly 685,000 acres — received enhanced protection through former President Biden's designation of two new national monuments early this year: Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. The monuments include vast swaths of land in the Southern California desert and Northern California forests that tribes consider sacred. The Trump administration has sent signals that it may seek to abolish both Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. In March, the Trump administration issued and then appeared to roll back an announcement implying the president had rescinded his predecessor's orders creating the monuments. Then, last month, the Justice Department released a legal opinion that concluded that Trump could undo his predecessor's creation of Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. As of today, the monuments still exist, though their subsistence seems at risk. Leaving the monuments aside, California's biggest 30x30 gains were on the sea, with the amount of coastal waters conserved jumping nearly 6% year over year. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, off California's rugged Central Coast, represents nearly all of the newly conserved waters. Designated by the Biden administration last November, the 4,543-square-mile sanctuary marked the first such preserve in California to be managed in cooperation with Indigenous peoples. The designation prohibits new oil drilling and offers other protections, but some conservationists believe it falls short of meeting the criteria for inclusion in the 30x30 tally. 'California's national marine sanctuaries unfortunately do not limit damaging stressors on marine biodiversity,' said Sandy Aylesworth, director of the Pacific Initiative at the Natural Resources Defense Council. The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary allows for the operation of an oil and gas pipeline as well industrial fishing, she said. 'So if this area is to count toward the goal, we'd like to see it meaningfully strengthen biodiversity protections in the sanctuary,' she said. Crowfoot, the state Natural Resources secretary, said a management plan that would do that is underway. If it doesn't materialize in a way that boosts environmental and biodiversity protections, he said, then the sanctuary could be removed from areas the state considers protected under the 30x30 plan. That would knock the figure for protected waters down. Looking ahead, Crowfoot said officials are focused on expanding California state parks by integrating private land nestled inside them as well as adjacent properties purchased by conservation groups. An estimated 30,000 acres of land could be added to the state park system for no additional cost because it's within a park or next to it, he said. Crowfoot called the 30x30 plan 'more important than ever' in light of worsening climate change, with the report stating that natural ecosystems conserved through the initiative capture and store greenhouse gases. Those areas are also expected to serve as refuges for animals as the climate shifts, as well as enhance biodiversity, which, the report states, 'supports the clean water and soil fertility essential for human survival and environmental stability.'
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Revolutionary government program raises $28 billion, and millions of one state's residents are benefiting: 'A win for ordinary people'
In 2012, California set a precedent for how a state government can take action against planet-warming pollution. The result of these actions diverted billions of dollars to communities in need across the state. California created a cap-and-trade program, which set a limit on carbon emissions that was to decline every year until the end of the contract in 2030. It also required companies to purchase permits or "allowances" to cover their carbon emissions. Companies that needed to go over their allowance could trade with other companies, but overall, the program created an economic incentive for companies to move forward with cleaner policies that reduced pollution. The fees from these allowances were then distributed across multiple agencies, including the California Natural Resources Agency's Urban Greening Program. One of the most remarkable projects created with this funding was a living schoolyard in Oakland, made possible with a $1.2 million grant from the CNRA. What used to be an asphalt lot was turned into vegetable gardens, a pollinator garden, an outdoor classroom, grass fields, and 65 new trees. Since 2012, this program has brought in $28 billion, $11.6 billion of which has already been translated into community projects. California residents are also now seeing an average of $137 in savings on their utility bills through the California Climate Credit. This program is eligible to be renewed and extended until 2045. If California lawmakers choose to extend it, residents can expect to see $47 billion in revenue, $55 billion in economic growth for California, and an additional 287,000 jobs. "California's cap-and-trade program hasn't just been a win for the climate; it's been a win for ordinary people who can see in their neighborhoods and on their utility bills that it's paying off. And there's billions more to come if we get this right," said Caroline Jones, a climate policy expert at the Environmental Defense Fund. Whether it's investing in solar panels, food security, or bike lanes for crowded urban areas, it's been proven that the happiest people and countries in the world are the ones in areas of less pollution and with stronger community programs. This program was spotlighted in the Environmental Defense Fund's Vital Signs newsletter, which is a stellar source for good-news stories, climate change solutions, and advice for taking action in your own community. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Morocco World
19-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
CDG Strengthens Strategic Management with Appointment of Mohamed Ali Bensouda
Rabat – The Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion (CDG) has appointed Mohamed Ali Bensouda as its new Secretary General, a pivotal move that reinforces the institution's ongoing transformation strategy. With over 26 years of experience within the Group , Bensouda brings extensive leadership expertise across multiple sectors of CDG's operations, making him a natural choice to support and execute the Group's strategic vision. In his new role, Bensouda will assist the Director General in overseeing CDG's key strategic missions. He will also lead central functions of the holding, including strategy, finance, asset management, performance, regulation, human resources, digital innovation, and international cooperation. This appointment comes as CDG undertakes a structural reorganization aimed at improving agility and efficiency. A notable part of this shift is the elimination of the Deputy Director General role from the Group's organizational chart—an effort to streamline governance and improve clarity in decision-making. A Veteran CDG Executive Mohamed Ali Bensouda's appointment is the culmination of a distinguished career at CDG. Since joining the Group in 1998, he has held several high-level positions including: Administrator and Director General of Finéa Director of the Savings and Pensions Division Deputy Director of CDG Capital in charge of Asset Management and Financial Services Director of Banking Activities Director of Organization, Quality, and Internal Audit Prior to joining CDG , Bensouda began his professional journey at a major Moroccan bank, where he worked as a project manager for nearly three years. Currently, and on a transitional basis, he continues to serve as Director General of the Savings and Social Protection branch of CDG. In this capacity, he oversees the CNRA and RCAR and contributes to the mobilization of long-term savings for national development projects. Steering Strategic Transformation As Secretary General, Bensouda will play a central role in guiding the implementation of CDG's strategic roadmap. He is tasked with coordinating cross-functional initiatives, managing institutional relationships with government bodies and public institutions, and enhancing risk governance and operational performance. His responsibilities also extend to optimizing resource allocation, accelerating digital transformation, and positioning CDG as a key player on the international stage. This appointment is viewed as a strategic move to reinforce CDG's utility and impact across the sectors it serves—ranging from finance and infrastructure to social protection and local development. Mohamed Ali Bensouda is a graduate of the École Nationale de l'Industrie Minérale (ENIM) and holds an MBA from the École des Ponts et Chaussées. His academic and professional background has enabled him to navigate both technical and strategic challenges with success. He is a member of CDG's Executive Committee, chairs the investment committees of CNRA and RCAR, and sits on the boards of several companies within and beyond the Group. He also leads several specialized committees focused on audit, risk, investment, and human resources. Bensouda's appointment comes as CDG pursues a renewed focus on governance, innovation, and operational efficiency. As the institution transitions toward a more agile and responsive organizational structure, his leadership is expected to support the Group's efforts to maintain its role in advancing Morocco's economic and social development. Tags: CDGMohammed ali Bensoudaprofiles
