My name is Lisa
Chang, I live in Alamo, CA, and I am a physician.
I am dismayed by
the inadequate measures to address climate change and the harmful
effects of air pollution on public health that are outlined in the
CARB scoping plan. Scientists have made clear that we have a
diminishingly small window of time to reduce carbon emissions to
avert the worst effects of climate change on our health and our
planet. Billions of dollars of subsidies already go to the fossil
fuel industry, and fossil fuel companies want even more subsidies,
in the guise of controversial, risky, ineffective measures like
Carbon Capture technology. The CALGEM scientific advisory panel
states that the most effective way to protect public health is to
stop drilling and developing new wells, and phase out existing oil
and gas development activities and associated infrastructure. We
must embrace clean, renewable energy.
As a physician, I
know the myriad of health harms caused by air pollution and the
extreme weather events exacerbated by our warming climate,
including extreme heat events, worsening flooding, hurricanes, and
wildfires. The health harms, including increased rates of cancer,
respiratory diseases, strokes, and birth defects,
disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including
communities of color, children, babies, pregnant women, and the
elderly.
I urge you to
adopt a much bolder plan to reduce emissions, as was put forward by
the Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
Respecfully,
Lisa Chang,
MD
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