Gavin Newsom: Democrats need to recast climate change as 'affordability' issue

Lia Russell, The Sacramento Bee on Nov 11, 2025

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Democrats need to recast climate change mitigation as an affordability issue, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said during the United Nations climate summit in Brazil on Tuesday.

“It’s about economic power. I think we have to reframe it as a cost of living issue,” he said during a press conference, when asked about how to make climate mitigation policies resonate with voters.

Democrats won sweeping victories in Virginia, New York City and New Jersey on Election Day after campaigning on affordability. The climate issue has haunted their California counterparts, including Newsom, as Republicans have blamed high living costs on the state’s pollution regulations, which are some of the strictest in the country.

Newsom, fresh off his own redistricting victory last week, is now considered a top 2028 presidential contender. After the Trump administration declined to send a representative to COP30, Newsom has sought to make inroads on climate agreements with other nations, though he is barred under U.S. law from making any binding deals.

As inflation concerns dominated last year’s election, polling showed that mitigating climate change, one of the governor’s signature issues, was not a top issue among voters. In response, California Democrats promised to make affordability a key issue during the legislative session.

Newsom pointed to recent data from the U.S. Energy Administration showing that utility costs have risen 11% in the last year as President Donald Trump has promoted fossil fuels and curbed investment in solar and wind power.

“That’s a kitchen table issue. That’s a cost of living issue,” he said.

Newsom highlighted the state’s recent extension of its cap-and-trade program until 2045 as a major victory for affordability, and said California would continue to invest in zero-emission electric vehicles despite the White House’s effort to undercut its authority to set its own emissions standards under the Clean Air Act.

“This is something California will not cede and will continue to try to lead despite what our federal government is doing,” Newsom said.

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