California Legislature and Governor Should Pass SB 32 This Year, says Union of Concerned Scientists
In California, the Union of Concerned Scientists advises that “legislative leadership and Gov. Jerry Brown have been sending mixed signals on whether they will consider SB 32”, a bill to require lowering climate pollution to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, during this legislative session. The governor’s announcement of a possible ballot initiative to address the issue has further complicated when and how California will move forward in its pioneering efforts to reduce the risks of climate change.
UCS said that “uncertainty could result in a lost opportunity to extend and improve California’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) this year. The landmark law has been a stunning 10-year success, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Since passage of AB 32, California has lowered climate pollution, built a robust clean energy and clean fuels sector and lowered our oil consumption, while its economy grew at a pace that is leading the nation.”
“UCS believes California lawmakers should codify more rigorous climate goals this year,” said Adrienne Alvord, UCS Western States Director.
“At a time when a bipartisan 68 percent super-majority of Californians want to see these policies enacted, according to recent polling, it is baffling that the Legislature would not heed the will of the people to continue to address climate change.
“California has proved we can lower climate pollution while building a thriving economy. But we need to move much further, and quickly. Science clearly shows that the disastrous wildfires, drought and heat waves that California has been experiencing are being influenced by climate change. The rest of the country and the world are feeling additional impacts, including sea-level rise, more powerful storms and flooding. California’s leadership has helped propel the nation and world to take decisive steps in the fight against climate change. Inaction this year would send the wrong signal and impede progress toward meeting our international obligations and preventing the worst effects of the greatest environmental threat of our time. We urgently need to do much more.”
Category: Policy
