Contents
Global Warming and California
California Vehicles and Diesel Engines
California Clean Energy
Clearing the Air in the San Joaquin Valley

Global Warming and California
July 2006
analysis
Our Changing Climate: Assessing the Risks to California (PDF)
A summary report on how global warming is expected to impact California, produced by the California Climate Change Center in collaboration with the Union of Concerned Scientists.

(Spanish version pdf)

2007 fact sheets
California Clean Car Discount (PDF)

2006 fact sheets
Global Warming and California Agriculture (PDF)
Global Warming and California's Water Supply (PDF)
Global Warming and California Wildfires (PDF)
Global Warming and California's Public Health (PDF)
Global Warming and California's Economy (PDF)

Summary: Global Warming Impacts on California (PDF)
A one-page summary of the ways in which global warming is expected to impact California--based on the latest science from the state's February 2006 Climate Action Team report (which includes 18 new papers by more than 30 researchers at the state's top universities and research institutions)

June 2005
fact sheet
Consumer Benefits of the California Global Warming Law (PDF)
The increased price of vehicles that comply with California’s vehicle global warming regulation will be more than offset by reductions in vehicle operating costs. In fact, many of the likely new technologies used to meet the requirement will "pay for themselves" in less than five years, the length of an average auto loan.

April 2004
analysis
Climate Control: Global Warming Solutions for California Cars
Because California accounts for more than 10 percent of all new vehicles sold in the United States, reducing emissions of heat-trapping gases here will have a noticeable effect on the national inventory. Furthermore, the way in which the state regulates its motor vehicles also has a powerful influence on the rest of the nation. Modeling conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists shows that by applying currently available technology to all new vehicles sold in California, fleet average heat-trapping emissions could be reduced 20 percent. The additional cost of these vehicle improvements would be recouped in the form of decreased operating costs after less than three and a half years of driving, on average.

September 2004
fact sheet
Vehicle Safety and the California Global Warming Law (PDF)
California’s vehicle global warming regulation will result in large environmental benefits, without any negative effects on vehicle size, weight, or safety. In fact, the technology already exists to reach California’s goals while maintaining safety and a wide variety of vehicle choices, without changing vehicle weight. Even more technology is available to save lives on California’s highways, but automakers are crying wolf instead of providing consumers safe vehicle choices today.

April 2005
fact sheet
What Are global Climate Models? (PDF)
General Circulation Models, sometimes referred to as Global Climate Models, are based on the fundamental laws of nature that govern the earth-atmosphere-ocean system and are constantly being updated to reflect the very latest observations and scientific understanding.  This fact sheet explains how the climate models work, what the strengths and uncertainties of the models are, and how the climate projectios for different models compare.  The bottom line is that all models, despite some variances, predict significant increases in temperature toward the end of century due to increased concentrations of man-made heat-trapping gases.


California Vehicles and Diesel Engines

April 2008
fact sheets
Diesel Trucks: Air Pollution and Public Health (PDF
Heavy-Duty Trucks and Global Warming (PDF)
Reducing Global Warming Pollution: Technology Options for Tractor-Trailers (PDF)

March 2008
analysis
California ZEV & Global Warming (PDF)
Loopholes in the California ZEV Program (PDF)


December 2007
fact sheet
Upcoming California Diesel Regulations (PDF)
As part of California's Diesel Risk Reduction Plan, the state has several important regulations coming up over the next two years.  This fact sheet explains what the regulations are and when they'll be coming before the California Air Resources Board for a vote.

January 2007
Digging up Trouble: Construction Pollution in California (PDF)Pollution from diesel construction equipment is taking a heavy toll on the health and economic well-being of California residents. This equipment contributes to particulate and ozone pollution that can cause severe cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, and even premature death.

November 2005
fact sheet
Diesel Idling in California (PDF)
This fact sheet explains the benefits of a new California Air Resources Board regulation that limits idling to five minutes for diesel trucks with sleeper cabs--trucks that typically idle all night long.  These changes are expected save over 100 million gallons of diesel fuel and prevent more than 700,000 tons of global warming emissions and thousands of tons of toxic and smog-forming air pollution from being emitted every year.

December 2005
brochure
Clean Construction Equipment for California: A Blueprint for Healthier Communities (PDF)
The construction sector is the single largest source of diesel particulate matter air pollution in the state. This brochure explains construction-related pollution's impact on health, documents the state's efforts to date to clean up this pollution source, and makes recommnedations for a quicker and more thorough clean-up.

June 2004
analysis
Sick of Soot: Reducing the Health Impacts of Diesel Pollution in California 
Details ways to cost-effectively reduce the significant health impacts of diesel pollution in California. Diesel soot, or particulate matter (PM), is a dangerous pollutant that can penetrate deep into the lungs. California, with the largest population of people and diesel vehicles in the country, is in essence a microcosm of the national health risks of diesel emissions.

June 2004
fact sheet
Sick of Soot in the South Coast Air Basin  (Spanish version) (PDF)
Details the impact of diesel pollution on the LA-area. For instance, more than 1,400 premature deaths and about 1,275 cases of chronic bronchitis occur in the LA area due to exposure to diesel pollution. The societal cost associated with all of the deisel-related health incidences is overwhelming, estimated at $10 billion.

December 2005
fact sheet
California Air Resources Board Diesel Particulate Matter Regulations, 2000-2005 (PDF)
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has passed numerous rules and regulations since 2000 in an effort to reduce the public's exposure to harmful diesel pollution.  This Fact Sheet summarizes and explains the regulaitons, and includes links to the correspoding regulatory websites.

January 2005
fact sheet
Funding Sources for California Diesel Clean-Up Programs (PDF)
Details the various funding sources for California's vital Carl Moyer diesel clean-up incentives program. 

July 2004
fact sheet
Moyer Diesel Clean-Up Program Saves Lives  (PDF)
The Carl Moyer diesel clean-up incentives program has been hugely successful in saving lives, but more funding is needed. For every $1 spent through the Moyer program, Californians receive $13 in benefits.

California Clean Energy

May 2005
fact sheet
California Renewable Energy Standard (PDF)
California’s existing Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), adopted in 2002, requires the regulated electric utilities and competitive suppliers to increase their use of wind, solar and other renewable electricity sources by at least one percent per year of retail electricity sales, reaching at least 20 percent by 2017. SB 107, introduced in the California Legislature in 2005, would accelerate the 20 percent renewables requirement to 2010. 

March 2005
comments
UCS testimony before the California Public Utilities Commission (PDF)
Comments on long-term resource planning, including carbon emissions risk hedging (i.e. "carbon adder" adopted by CPUC). August 6, 2004.

July 2004
comments
UCS Comments to the California Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission's Accelerated Renewable Energy Development Draft Staff White Paper (PDF)
Comments on accelerating the state's goals for renewable energy.

Clearing the Air in the San Joaquin Valley

January 2005
analysis
Clearing the Air in the San Joaquin Valley 
The San Joaquin Valley now officially shares the distinction of having the worst air quality in the nation with the Los Angeles region. Without further action, the problem will only get worse.  The population of the region is growing more rapidly than in any other air basin in the state, brings with it increases in vehicle miles traveled and urbanization, both of which counteract progress in emission reductions. This report details the sources of the problem, and offers a set of local, regional, and state policy solutions.

February 2005
fact sheet
SJV Air Pollution Health Impacts (PDF)
(Spanish version) (PDF)
Air Pollution in the SJV is a bigger killer than homicide 
Contaminacion del aire mata mas gente que los homocidios

February 2005
fact sheet
SJV Policy Recommendations (PDF)
(Spanish version) (PDF)
A recent legisltive history of Valley air pollution reforms, as well as state and local policy solutions