California is feeling the effects of severe air pollution and officials are working to prevent further damage.
A new study from the University of California at Los Angeles shows that greenhouse gas emissions are going to significantly increase the state’s temperature over the next few years.
These emissions, in large part, come from California’s cars and coal power needs.
To help curb these emissions, Los Angeles is moving to support standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency to limit the city’s reliance on coal.
Environmental groups are supporting the move, saying it’s long past time that the city of Los Angeles become a leader in moving the country away from pollution and toward clean air solutions.
Kent Minault is with the Sierra Club, one of the several environmental groups urging the city to move away from coal.
Minault says nearly 40 percent of Los Angeles is powered by two coal plants, which he says are causing significant harm to the global climate.
City officials are moving to support the Mercury and Air Toxics Standard.
The Beyond Coal Campaign says the standard marks the first time in human history that carbon pollution will be regulated.
Environmental groups say as America’s 2nd largest city, Los Angeles has the opportunity to guide the nation into a cleaner, more sustainable future.
But they say in order to do that, the city needs to find a way to clear up its traffic congestion.
California lawmakers are also attempting to address the issue of climate change statewide.
They’ve passed a measure that requires the state to be using 33 percent renewable energy by the year 2020.