First Name | Jim |
---|---|
Last Name | Stewart |
Email Address | Jim@earthdayla.org |
Affiliation | |
Subject | Send cap-and-trade regulation back for revisions required by science |
Comment | Dear California Air Resources Board, I am speaking as a PhD physicist who has been concerned about the effects of global warming for decades. I was impressed by the courage and vision of the Legislature and Governor to pass AB 32 and mandate the reduction of California’s emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. However, I am extremely disappointed with the proposed cap-and-trade approach you are considering at your meeting on December 16. Because the eyes of the world are on California, you must set an example of how to reduce emissions in a way that guarantees achievement of the AB 32 goals. The science of global warming says that the planet is nearing a number of tipping points that must be avoided if we are to escape runaway temperature increase and an uninhabitable planet. Because proposed cap-and-trade approach has been tried in Europe and completely failed, you should vote to delay this proposed cap-and-trade approach and send it back to staff to develop a regulation-based approach that can guarantees achievement of the AB 32 goals. If you are unable to do that necessary step, you should send it back to staff to make at least the following major improvements: 1. Make all emitters pay for 100% of their greenhouse gas emissions. Pollution allowances should not be given away to oil companies and other large emitters. Allowances should be auctioned off, with the money used for clean energy, green jobs, public transit, and low-income consumers. 2. Protect the integrity of the climate program and resiliency of California's forests by: a) eliminating from the offset program clear-cutting of our forests as a way of sequestering carbon; b) adding provisions to assure that forest projects DO NOT result in the conversion of naturally managed (uneven aged forests) into clear-cut plantations (even aged forests). 3. Drastically reduce the percentage of emission reductions allowed to come from offsets and require that 100% of offsets be located in California (thus providing California jobs). Californians support our global warming law because we want to green our state's economy, not outsource the job of reducing emissions to other states and countries. Thank you, Jim Stewart, PhD, 213-487-9340 Fax: 310-362-8400 Cell: 213-820-4345 1216 S. Westlake Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90006-4118 |
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Date and Time Comment Was Submitted | 2010-12-15 09:57:20 |
If you have any questions or comments please contact Clerk of the Board at (916) 322-5594.