Billionaire, philanthropist, businessman, and environmental advocate Tom Steyer addressed UC Santa Barbara students on October 13 in Campbell Hall, speaking on critical topics including voter registration, climate change, and the nationwide housing crisis. The event, part of a student-led fireside chat series called Coastal Conversations, was offered free of charge to attendees.
During his address, Steyer emphasized the crucial role of young people's votes in advancing societal progress. He asserted that politicians are "interested in votes, not people," underscoring the necessity for greater youth participation to achieve fairer representation. Steyer, who unsuccessfully ran in the 2026 California gubernatorial primary against Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, has a history of focusing on civic engagement. He spent 26 years as a San Francisco-based hedge fund manager before transitioning to philanthropy in 2012. In 2013, Steyer founded NextGen America, a progressive political action committee (PAC) dedicated to mobilizing young people through voter registration, organization, and education.
Steyer also spoke on the challenges of fostering civic engagement regarding climate change. He noted that individuals are often not motivated to change their lives purely by concerns for distant environmental issues like the North Pole. Instead, he suggested, people are more directly influenced by practical concerns such as the rising costs to insure their homes due to potential damage from storms. He stated that if society is "not willing to basically get to net zero," it "can't really win that fight with nature," and that some individuals profit from selling polluting substances.
The discussion also touched upon the pressing issue of affordability and potential solutions for the housing crisis. Steyer expressed concern over working individuals being forced to live in their vehicles and the high cost of rent for students attending the university. He questioned why known solutions for affordable housing construction are not implemented more widely, attributing the stagnation to significant political roadblocks. He advocated for leveraging modern capabilities to reduce construction costs, thereby making housing more accessible.
Furthermore, Steyer highlighted the economic advantages of transitioning to renewable energy sources for electricity. He pointed out that Californians currently pay significantly more for electricity than the national average, stating they pay "twice as much." He voiced strong support for individuals generating their own electricity from rooftop solar installations, noting that the cost to produce such power can be as low as "two to four cents." Steyer described this as a "revolution happening here in terms of money."
Hosts of the event included Ainsley Fields, a fourth-year English and history of public policy and law double major, and Eddie Barajas, a fourth-year mechanical engineering and physics double major. Fields specifically raised concerns about the high cost of living in Isla Vista and the worsening living conditions influenced by coastal erosion.
Student attendees shared their perspectives on the event. Jorby Camacho, a third-year psychological and brain sciences student, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to hear from a politician possessing "such stature and importance in our democratic society." Camacho confirmed he had voted for Steyer in the 2026 California gubernatorial primary. Sofia Escalante, a fourth-year film and media studies major, stated she attended the event to learn more about Steyer for her own educational purposes, despite not having voted for him. Escalante indicated a desire for clearer answers from Steyer on whether someone can "be an ethical politician."
