By Sofia Carrasco (she/her), Youth v. Oil Intern
If you’re familiar with Youth v. Oil and Youth4Climate’s recent work,you’ve likely heard of our priority campaign from the past year: the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 (AB 1243 and SB 684). These bills were landmark pieces of legislation that would make the top fossil fuel companies pay for the climate damages they’ve inflicted. We lobbied in Sacramento to pass the law, passed three resolutions at city councils, organized walkouts with over 1,300 students across San Diego, and more. In partnership with the statewide coalition, this work shifted Polluters Pay from an idealistic bill to a tangible campaign with great momentum. According to recent polls, 77% of American voters support the superfund model, as it addresses both affordability and environmental issues.
However, Sacramento has not gotten the memo. For several major reasons — Gov. Newsom’s pro-oil shift, concerns over gas prices (which have little correlation with the superfund model), and record-high CA oil lobbying — the bills will not be moving forward in 2026. Personally, I am outraged and shocked: shocked at the discrepancy between elected officials’ priorities and our own and outraged that California refuses to strengthen its climate leadership amidst the Trump era. But make no mistake: Our efforts are not over.
The bill authors, Senator Caroline Menjivar and Assemblymember Dawn Addis, are committed to reintroducing it in the coming legislative sessions. “Local communities and our state as a whole cannot continue to subsidize big polluters by footing the bill for climate destruction on our own,” Addis states in her press release. In the meantime, we will work to enshrine Polluters Pay as a keystone to the progressive movement. Within Youth v. Oil, this will mean:
- Activating state officials, congresspeople, and candidates
- Submitting letters and op-eds to publications about the necessity of a superfund
- Continuing to pursue resolutions at cities, counties, school boards, and Democratic clubs
- Organizing direct actions, including potential rallies at target offices and oil industry headquarters
- Potentially something entirely different!
Our progress from 2025 has not been lost. Our resolutions will still count in official records, and our engagement has spiked since the youth walkouts. Other states have also persisted with their bills, including New Jersey, who recently passed it through their Senate Budget and Appropriations committee.
Finally, in late January, there was a nationwide Make Polluters Pay Week of Action. Across the country, activists and community stakeholders coordinated events from the 26th to 30th in order to highlight the necessity of MPP. Youth v. Oil kept it local, delivering a special message to the office of Assemblymember Alvarez from Chula Vista. Five youth from South Bay brought petitions signed by peers at their walkouts, calling on the legislator to take a stance. “Through the walkouts, we are advocating for sustainable futures not only for ourselves, but generations after us,” says Sofia Medina, a SanDiego350 South Bay Intern and a sophomore at Hilltop High School. “Especially in South Bay communities, where consistent ozone and air pollution has caused lung diseases for countless children and adults. Supporting the MPP superfund protects others from suffering those conditions.”
While we’ll keep our finger on the Polluters Pay pulse, Youth v. Oil will be broadening its focus: advocating for new legislation, building local collaboration across the county, and expanding our Legislative and Media Teams. Plus, both our Youth4Climate Summit and Sacramento trip can be anticipated in the spring! If you’re interested in volunteering or getting involved (as a youth or adult), you can fill out this form. If getting engaged was your New Years Resolution, here is your chance!
2025 will be remembered as a year of extremism, economic disparities, and environmental degradation. But it was also a year of mutual aid, civic engagement, perseverance, and fighting back; a year where young people drove the conversation and shifted power locally. In 2026, we have the potential to reimagine our aspirations; to fight for a clean, affordable world while protecting the natural resources and environmental justice communities which make California home. On behalf of Youth v. Oil, I hope you will join us.