One of the most important conflicts of the twenty-first century is fought daily within the California Legislature: the ultra-hazards of fossil fuels. As one of the world's largest economies, the outcome is crucial for the role of democracy and the future of the planet. For more than two decades as a senior adviser to the Legislature, Bruce Jennings has gained firsthand experience in this trench warfare between public and private interests.

The arc of these stories centers on a diverse group of advocates and whether they can overcome an entrenched corporate lobby to address the...