Proposition 4: Investing in a Climate-Resilient Future 

Thanks to the efforts of every individual who took action and raised their voices, the Climate Bond was passed by the California Legislature on July 3, 2024 and will be on the ballot in November as Proposition 4! Audubon proudly joined forces with over 180 conservation and environmental justice organizations to advocate for the Climate Bond over the past few years. We're proud of and grateful to our over 5100 supporters that showed up and shared their voice to get this important and unprecedented bond on the ballot. 

Now, Californians have the opportunity to take further action and vote for the resources birds and people need to adapt to the intensifying effects of climate change, paving the way for a brighter and climate-resilient future. Given the alarming prediction that two-thirds of North American bird populations could face extinction by 2100 due to climate change, the urgency is clear.  

The coming decade is crucial for preventing the worst impacts of climate change. We know Californians are committed to the shared work of building environmental resilience. This includes addressing intensifying wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and continued habitat loss, all of which present existential threats to both people and birds. 

We invite you to join us in envisioning a future that works for all of us, imagining what our state could become. Supporting this bond means investing in our environment, our treasured biodiversity, and the well-being of all Californians, creating a brighter future for everyone. 

Key Benefits of Proposition 4: Ensuring a Sustainable and Biodiverse Future for Birds and People 

Proposition 4 is particularly special because it allocates at least 40% of its funding to underserved and climate-vulnerable communities, many of which have not received funding in past bond efforts. It will benefit birds and communities throughout the state with the below major funding categories, including: 

• Safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience: $3.8 billion 
• Wildfire and forest resilience: $1.5 billion 
• Sea level rise and coastal resilience: $1.2 billion 
• Protect biodiversity and implement nature-based climate solutions: $1.2 billion 

• Clean air programs: $850 million 
• Park creation and outdoor access: $700 million 
• Climate-smart and sustainable farms, ranches, and working lands: $300 million 
• Extreme heat mitigation: $450 million 

There are several elements of the bond that directly align with Audubon California’s top priorities, benefiting both birds and communities, including:  

• The Wildlife Conservation Board, which provides primary funding for habitat conservation easements, restoration, and management in the state: $870 million 
• Park creation and increased outdoor access, focusing on areas lacking parks and green space, such as the Central Valley and densely urban parts of Los Angeles: $700 million 
• Rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands, including 19 state and federal refuges and wildlife areas in the Central Valley essential for migratory birds on the Pacific Flyway: $335 million 
• Climate-smart and sustainable farms, ranches, and working lands, funding programs like Audubon’s Conservation Ranching Program to promote sustainable, bird-friendly practices: $300 million 
• The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, facilitating the transition of agricultural lands to sustainable uses and potentially creating tens of thousands of acres of habitat in the Central Valley: $200 million 
• The Salton Sea Management Program, creating 14,500 acres of wetland habitat and additional dust control mitigation to protect local communities from dust storms: $170 million 
• Habitat restoration in the San Francisco Bay: $85 million 

Taking Action Together 

These investments are essential to protect both people and bird populations now, as the impacts and financial costs of climate change escalate. While $10 billion in bond funds may seem significant, the cost of delay and inaction is even greater. According to estimates, climate impacts, including wildfires, floods, and extreme heat, could harm thousands of Californians annually, with aggregated costs exceeding $50 billion by 2050. 

California’s birds and people urgently need climate action now. Join us in supporting Proposition 4 and working to pass it in November. Educate friends, family, and colleagues about the bond's importance and the urgency of climate action. Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our advocacy and conservation work and be the first to hear about opportunities to be part of our Climate Bond efforts.