Action Alerts

Make California a leader in the national effort to stop global warming

In California, the millions of cars and trucks on the road each day are the largest and least addressed source of greenhouse gas pollution in the state. Make California a leader in the national effort to stop global warming. Support greenhouse gas emissions reductions from cars and trucks. Remind your state Assembly member to support AB 1058.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support AB 1058

Dear [ Decision Maker ],

I am very concerned about global warming and urge you to support Assembly Bill 1058, a bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from passenger cars and trucks in California.

Since the Assembly vote this January, the bill has been amended to address concerns raised on the Assembly floor. By providing automobile manufacturers maximum flexibility in how they choose to meet any greenhouse gas requirements, AB1058 will not result in additional costs to automobile manufacturers, consumers, or the economy. Industry claims that cost-effective reductions are not possible contradict their ability in the past to find practical solutions to pollution and safety problems. Real technology is already available to limit greenhouse gas emissions while allowing consumers the same choice and safety they currently enjoy.

Global warming is one of the greatest environmental threats facing us today. California's contribution to global warming is significant and disproportionate. Home to just 0.5 percent of the world's population, California emits nearly two percent of global carbon emissions, mostly from the transportation sector. AB 1058 addresses this large source of damaging greenhouse gas emissions by instructing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to adopt regulations that achieve the maximum feasible cost-effective reductions of greenhouse gases emitted by passenger vehicles.

Please vote for AB 1058, which will make our state a leader in national efforts to reverse global warming.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]

Letter was delivered to:

Sally Havice
Sarah Reyes
Lou Correa
Ken Maddox
Ellen Corbett
Barbara Matthews
Dario Frommer
Jerome Horton

Campaign Launched:
May 09, 2002

Background Information

Last month, 3,000 Environmental Defense Action Network activists sent messages to the State Senate supporting legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. In California, the millions of cars and trucks on the road each day are the largest and least addressed source of greenhouse gas pollution in the state. Thanks to your help, Assembly Bill 1058 passed in the Senate, but the battle is not over yet.

YOUR HELP IS STILL NEEDED:

This legislation is now headed back for a tough vote on the Assembly Floor in the coming weeks. This is the last hurdle before this landmark bill arrives at the desk of the Governor for his signature, making California the first state to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. Remind your Assembly Member to vote yes on AB 1058, bringing us closer to putting a stop to global warming.

MORE ON AB 1058 AND GLOBAL WARMING:

In California, the millions of cars and trucks on the road each day are the largest and least addressed source of greenhouse gas pollution in the state. Passenger vehicles contribute 40 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in California. AB 1058 will reduce emissions from passenger cars and trucks.

This legislation calls for:

-the California Air Resources Board to develop regulations for greenhouse gas pollution reductions from passenger cars and light trucks by 2005;

-regulations that are cost-effective, technologically achievable, and provide auto manufacturers with flexibility in how they meet requirements;

-the California Air Resources Board to commission a study to determine potential impacts to the state's economy.

This landmark global warming legislation is supported by over 50 environmental and public health organizations, numerous elected officials and local governments, as well as more than 100 California business leaders and associations.

To Learn More:

Read about potential impacts of climate change on Southern California in Environmental Defense's Hot Prospects report: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/documents/494_HotProspects.pdf

For more information about Environmental Defense's efforts to fight global warming, visit: http://www.environmentaldefense.org/system/templates/page/focus.cfm?focus=3

For more information about AB 1058,contact Kate Larsen(klarsen@environmentaldefense.org).

The Clean Car Campaign is a project of the Ecology Center, a nonprofit organization.

email: info@cleancarcampaign.org