| Comment | I urge you to adopt a strong global warming scoping plan for
California. This will slow global warming, and will bring immediate
reductions in smog and other dangerous air pollutants that cause
illness and death.
California faces a public health crisis from air pollution. There
are 18,000 premature deaths yearly, 350,000 asthma attacks, over 4
million missed school days from children suffering asthma attacks
or other respiratory problems, thousands of hospitalizations and
emergency room visits, and stunted lung development in children.
The elderly, infants and children, individuals suffering from
chronic disease and low income-communities are most at risk for
these health hazards.
It is time for the California Air Resources Board to adopt a
strong plan to combat global warming in California and to set the
standard for national and international action. I also urge the
state air board to include a stronger focus on measures to reduce
emissions from driving that contribute the largest percentage of
greenhouse gases in California. The plan should include a much
more aggressive statewide goal for reducing vehicle trips and
measures to promote progressive action by local governments. The
plan should also include a strong goal and additional regulatory
measures for reducing pollution from industrial sources such as
petroleum refineries and cement manufacturing facilities.
In addition, the plan must demonstrate that the variety of
proposed measures will not only make rapid progress toward
reducing greenhouse gases, but will also provide local benefits to
vulnerable individuals and communities and assist with adaptation
to the negative effects of global warming.
Thank you.
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