The Road To Clean aiR - LA Differentiated

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j N Facts c > California’s climate crisis California has some of the nation’s worst air pollution, and most of it starts right in our own neighborhoods. A majority of greenhouse gas emissions come from local sources such as refineries, power plants and various modes of transportation. Scientists have reported that California is already experiencing the effects of climate crisis: increased episodes of extreme heat, air pollution, drought, floods, and violent and unpredictable weather, all of which contribute to the incidence and spread of disease. strengthen them. California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006—AB 32—promised to protect such communities; yet these very communities are still waiting for AB 32’s promises to be fulfilled. Investing in protection Many Californians can recall the heat waves of 2006. Emergency rooms across the state were inundated with as many as 23 times the usual number of patients. Unfortunately, there were nearly 150 preventable deaths during that time. This experience has taught us that we must be prepared for incidents of this nature. This means investing in cooling centers, transportation to these safe havens, and emergency prevention and preparedness among others. “ No other state in the country experiences air pollution quite like California. Our state’s cities and counties have the unfortunate distinction of consistently appearing on top ten lists for the nation’s worst air pollution. ” — Nidia Bautista, Coalition for Clean Air policy director, “Climate benefits, community safeguards can come together,” Capitol Weekly Overburdened communities While we take steps to reduce the effects of climate change, California will continue to experience the impacts for decades to come. Those with limited resources will be hardest hit and least able to defend themselves. Many Californians are already unfairly burdened by harmful air quality and chronic respiratory illness simply because of their neighborhood. We estimate that the majority of the 4.6 million Californians earning income below the federal poverty level live in neighborhoods facing threats associated with the climate crisis, such as increased air pollution, heat waves, droughts and job loss. Statewide solutions must not overlook these communities, but rather move to protect and The effects of California’s summer 2006 heat wave 140 615 2,537 16,166 1,182 Heat-related deaths (10-12 is typical) Excess deaths from all causes Heat-related emergency room visits (400 is typical) Excess emergency room visits Excess hospital admissions Deaths due to heat by county 1 5 10 Average maximum temperature (˚F) High: 121 Low: 54 Coalition for Clean Air 18 2009 Annual Report
j N c > Solutions AB 1405: protecting California’s most vulnerable neighborhoods The AB 32 scoping plan, which was adopted by the California Air Resources Board in 2008, details a multipronged approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Included in the plan is a cap-and-trade program, which would cover 85% of California’s largest emission sources—including electricity generation, large industrial sources and transportation fuels. The only problem is that a cap-and-trade system could actually increase the pollution already disproportionately burdening lowincome communities. The Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) is an official sponsor of a critical bill, AB 1405, which identifies the need for equal protection from California’s climate crisis. The bill calls for a “Community Benefits Fund,” which would require a portion of the revenues generated from the implementation of AB 32 to help neighborhoods that have suffered the most from air pollution and will struggle the most with the consequences of climate change. Throughout much of the year, CCA testified and encouraged a diverse array of colleagues to provide public comment in support of the Community Benefits Fund. In December, the Economic and Allocation Advisory Committee—a new California Environmental Protection Agency panel created by the governor— released a report on the design of a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the report’s recommendations, including the Community Benefits Fund, were proposed and advocated by CCA. This inclusion strengthens AB 1405, which has already successfully moved through all its committees and the Assembly. The Senate is slated to vote on AB 1405 in 2010. Meanwhile, CCA will continue to advocate the strengthening of these recommendations and ensure the incorporation of strong policies that protect our communities. COMMUNITY BENEFITS fund CCA recommendations include: Emissions reduction programs replacement of gross polluters energy effificiency upgrades upgrades to polluting equipment Preparing for floods and fires emergency plans and preparedness evacuation: transportation, housing, security Preempting effects of heat waves cooling centers in low-income communities illness recognition and treatment Improving quality of life transit improvement and subsidy job training and mandatory hiring Coalition for Clean Air 19 2009 Annual Report
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Page 31: Board of directors Staff www.coalit

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