Statewide Advocacy
Advocating for lung health issues, acting as a model for the nation...
Breathe California's Director of Air Quality and Government Relations, Andy Katz, MCP, is working in Sacramento to help shape policy and pass legislation supporting our vision of a healthier California where we can breathe cleaner air. Right now, Breathe California is advocating for lung health in Sacramento by fighting for:
- Protective regulations on diesel trucks in California, which cause over 20,000 preventable deaths annually due to cancer, heart attack, and asthma.
- Clean Ports legislation (SB 974), which will provide permanent funding for truck replacements and other freight transportation infrastructure at the Ports of LA, Long Beach, and Oakland that will provide incentives to accelerate the health benefits of new regulations.
- Strong implementation of AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, to include protections for public health and accountability in any cap-and-trade program, an enforceable 33% clean energy standard (RPS), and improved regional transportation and land use planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Restoration of tobacco tax revenues that are currently being diverted to pay for administrative costs of tobacco sales licensing. AB 2344 will restore $7 million annually for public health by making the existing tobacco licensing fee more self-supporting.
There's still time:
Tell California climate policymakers to protect our health and our climate!Climate Change affects our health, when rising temperatures increase the frequency and intensity of poor air quality days due to ozone, which can trigger asthma and respiratory illness.
Take Action!The California Air Resources Board will continue to accept comments on the Draft Scoping Plan for the Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). If you’re concerned about climate change, please consider attending an upcoming workshop or writing to CARB as soon as possible, but no later than August 15th.
The Draft Scoping Plan details how the state plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. This plan is an important milestone and sets California on the path towards becoming a model for reducing emissions from many sectors.
Write to CARB to urge a strong commitment to fighting global warming:
- Protect local communities from air pollution under any cap-and-trade program. No trading in emissions should be allowed if it causes hot spots that exacerbate air pollution at the local level, especially within communities already impacted by poor air quality and environmental justice issues. Permits issued under a cap should be auctioned, and the funds used to promote renewable energy, community benefits, and additional greenhouse gas reductions.
- Support the 33% Renewables Portfolio Standard recommended in the draft Scoping Plan. This will ensure that 33% of California’s energy comes from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind by the year 2020.
- Transportation represents 38 percent of California’s greenhouse gas emissions, but the approach to regional land use and transportation sector reductions is too weak to address global warming. CARB should increase the target for land use and transportation from 2 metric million tons (MMT) to 9-10 MMT. CARB can also set regional targets for greenhouse gas emissions, for regions to decide on best practices such as improving focused growth near public transit.
Write to CARB or Attend a Workshop!
If you're concerned about climate change, CARB needs to hear from you! Please submit your comments on CARB’s website. You can call Breathe California at (650) 994-5868 to find out about upcoming workshops.