California could lead the nation in natural carbon removal. This bill would do just that

California has long been a leader in climate solutions and environmental justice, but we’ve fallen behind. For the last several years, oil and gas lobbyists have stalled meaningful climate legislation in our state. This must be the year we summon the political will to put bold ideas into action.

The task ahead of us is clear: Scientists have repeatedly found that the only path to a stable climate is to rapidly phase out fossil fuels and begin removing up to a trillion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The latest United Nations report again warned that the U.S. and other wealthy nations must pick up the pace in order to avoid even more devastating drought, heatwaves and wildfires worldwide.

California can be a model for the world by ending the era of oil and gas, rapidly transitioning to a clean energy economy, and demonstrating cost-effective solutions that draw carbon out of the atmosphere. We must do so in ways that improve the health and well-being of the communities affected most.

The Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act of 2022 (Assembly Bill 2649) would make California the first state in the nation to set a statutory target for drawing down and sequestering carbon through proven methods like urban tree-planting, composting food waste, and applying it to soils and habitat restoration.

There is a lot of discussion about carbon removal in Sacramento right now, so let’s be perfectly clear: Carbon capture and storage at smokestacks — the fossil fuel industry’s favorite new climate “solution” — has proven time and again to be ineffective, expensive and polluting.

Unlike natural carbon removal, carbon capture doesn’t remove previously-emitted climate pollution from the atmosphere, which science says is necessary for a livable future. Continuing to dig up and burn fossil fuels will perpetuate harmful pollution in communities living near drilling sites, disproportionately impacting working-class families of color. Another technological approach, direct air capture, is still in its infancy — energy-intensive, expensive, and not yet feasible.

California lawmakers shouldn’t be fooled. Only natural carbon removal, as outlined in AB 2649, can safely and cost-effectively draw down past emissions this decade while also improving community health.

A recent report from The Climate Center found that California’s agricultural and urban lands have the potential to capture up to 103 million metric tons of past climate pollution from the atmosphere per year. The bill sets a goal of sequestering an additional 60 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2030 — equal to the annual greenhouse gas pollution from roughly 13 million cars.

AB 2649 helps us return to a stable climate and will have immediate benefits for the communities bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. Healthier soils hold more water when it rains, improving water and food security. Natural carbon removal solutions can slow the spread of wildfires and help replace chemically-intensive agriculture practices that endanger farm workers.

In cities from Sacramento to Los Angeles — where Black and brown communities are exposed to deadly heatwaves and some of the most polluted air in the nation — urban tree-planting can save lives by reducing extreme heat impacts and cleaning the air.

There’s no single solution to the climate crisis, but natural carbon removal is critical. Investing in these solutions today will pave the way toward a climate-safe future for all while improving public health and environmental justice at home.

This story was originally published May 10, 2022 at 5:00 AM.