Too Much Pollution
Environmental advocacy group stages press conference to present new report on global warming pollution in the U.S.
“The message is clear: More pollution than ever before is not a record we want to set. It’s time to take back control of our energy future,” declared Environment California’s Federal Field Organizer Mike Kantor at a press conference held at the UCLA Institute of the Environment to discuss a new analysis of government data that examines global warming pollution. State Senator Fran Pavley, Local Assembly Representative Paul Krekorian, and IoE Director Glen MacDonald participated in the event, commenting on California’s profile in the analysis.
“Too Much Pollution” uses U.S. Department of Energy data on fossil fuel consumption by state to look at trends in carbon dioxide emissions. In California greenhouse gas pollution has increased by 10 percent from 1990 to 2007. California ranked second nationwide for the highest levels of carbon dioxide emissions in 2007. Transportation created the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel consumption – responsible for 58 percent of emissions generated in-state in 2007. The science shows the country must cut its global warming pollution by 35 percent by 2020 to be able to stop the worst effects of global warming.
“There are very practical steps people can take to benefit the environment themselves – they just need to make a personal commitment,” stated Krekorian.
Pavley warned, "The cost of doing nothing to combat global warming is very high,” sighting the havoc that resulted from the recent Station Fire.
MacDonald concluded the event by praising the publication, hoping the startling results would propel action that will lead to a more sustainable future for California and the rest of the nation.
Read additional coverage of the event in the Sunroom Desk
Listen to a radio spot from the USC Annenberg Radio News
Published: Tuesday, November 17, 2009