Environmental Studies
Climate change has been one of the most critical issues the world is facing today. One of the major causes of climate change is an increase in greenhouse gases that result in global warming. However, people are on the rise to prevent adverse climate changes through all means possible. California is one of the leading states in America that has immersed its efforts fully in addressing global warming and climate change. This paper argues that California is doing a good job addressing global warming and climate change by implementing laws and policies that I will discuss.
The first bold step that California has taken is introducing the Cap-and-Trade Program. This program’s central objective is to reduce greenhouse gases emitted by industry sources within California, such as oil companies, motor, and any other industry emitting gases. The “cap” is measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide, and it is a limit of pollutants that companies can emit in the atmosphere. It gets stricter with time, and companies are required to adhere to the limits. The “trade” indicates a market where companies buy allowances to permit them to emit a certain amount of greenhouse gases. The allowances’ prices depend on the demand and supply graph at a particular moment (Clear Centre para 7).
California decided to develop the cap and trade program to allow businesses to voluntarily reduce the gases because if they are ordered to install clean air equipment, they may not adhere. Therefore, to help reduce the gases, every business within California must obtain a permit for each greenhouse gas tone they emit. Most of them avoid emitting gases or find alternatives in their industries because getting a permit comes with expenses. Additionally, all the money collected from the program is used in other environmental initiatives. For instance, forest fire-prevention, enhancing clean transportation and upgrading the facilities and technology. I feel this is an excellent move for California in addressing climate change because, in the end, businesses will find alternatives that will reduce GHG gases. The state will have funds to conserve the environment through the program.
Another bold step that California has taken to address climate change and global warming is the initiation of the Safeguarding California Plan. The plan outlines five climate goals for safeguarding California against adverse climate change like global warming. One of the goals is to engage the community in preserving California actively. It may be the best move because the state government alone cannot accomplish it without the community. The community can either contribute to the wellbeing of the climate or its deterioration. Hence, engaging them in the safeguarding process is crucial.
Other goals for safeguarding California are identifying the most vulnerable communities to prioritize initiatives, supporting the communities and their adaptations, promoting climate change approaches that lead to economic development, and making equity central to climate research. The goals help California people adapt to climate change and find strategies to deal with the change. The adaptation plan covers several sectors such as agriculture, transportation, public health, forestry, and energy, among others that have a high probability of changing the climate. With these goals, California can safeguard the environment and prevent global warming. Taking such bold steps signifies that the state is doing an excellent job addressing global warming and climate change.
Works Cited
Clear center. “How California is Working to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” CLEAR Center, 5 Dec. 2020, clear.ucdavis.edu/explainers/how-california-working-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions.