http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/cleaner-cheaper-smarter-the-case-for-auctioning-pollution-allowances-in-a-global-warming-cap-and-trade-program    http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/cleaner-cheaper-smarter-the-case-for-auctioning-pollution-allowances-in-a-global-warming-cap-and-trade-program Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/feeling-the-heat-global-warming-and-rising-temperatures-in-the-united-states   http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/feeling-the-heat-global-warming-and-rising-temperatures-in-the-united-states Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/the-clean-cars-program-how-states-are-driving-cuts-in-global-warming-pollution Rising global temperatures, unpredictable weather and alarming scientific predictions have led to increasing public concern about the impacts of global warming on the environment, health and society. But while the Bush administration continues to resist efforts to reduce global warming pollution, many states are taking effective actions to address the threat— including the adoption of the “Clean Cars Program,” which sets limits on global warming pollution from cars, light trucks and SUVs. The global warming benefit will be significant.• The 12 states that have adopted the Clean Cars Program will cut global warming pollution from cars, light trucks and SUVs by 74 million metric tons per year in 2020.• The cumulative global warming emission reduction from the program between2009 and 2020 is 392 million metric tons, the equivalent to taking 74 million of today’s cars off the road for an entire year.• Adoption by six additional states that are considering the policy would increase the total emission reduction to 100 million metric tons per year in 2020 and cumulative reductions to 536 million metric tons.The Clean Cars Program will also reduce gasoline consumption and save money for consumers.• The standards could reduce gasoline consumption by as much as 8.3 billion gallons per year in 2020—as much as is consumed by all the vehicles in Florida in a year.• Consumers could save up to $25.8billion annually at the pump in 2020.• If six more states adopt the Clean Cars Program, gasoline consumption could drop by a total of 11.2 billion gallons in 2020, saving $34.7 billion for consumers at the pump.States’ adoption of the Clean Cars Program can reduce global warming pollution, cut energy use, and save money for consumers. The federal government should not interfere with the progress being made by these states and should grant California’s request for a Clean Air Act waiver so that the states can implement the Clean Cars Program. http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/the-clean-cars-program-how-states-are-driving-cuts-in-global-warming-pollution Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/the-carbon-boom-state-and-national-trends-in-carbon-dioxide-emissions-since-1990   The early effects of global warming are already evident across the United States and worldwide. The past nine years have all been among the 25 warmest for the contiguous United States, a streak unprecedented in the historical record. If emissions are left nchecked, temperatures will continue to rise, and the effects of global warming will become more severe. This report examines trends in U.S. global warming pollution nationally and by state and concludes that the failure to limit emissions nationwide has allowed global warming pollution to grow out of control. In February 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations body charged with assessing the scientific record on global warming, found that the evidence of global warming is“unequivocal” and concluded, with more than 90 percent certainty, that human activities are responsible for most of the observed rise in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century. If current trends in emissions continue, the IPCC projects that temperatures will increase anywhere from an additional 1.1° to 6.4°C (2° to 11.5°F). The consequences of this increase in global temperatures will vary from place to place but will include sea level rise, heat waves, drought, increasingly intense tropical storms, loss of plant and animal species, decreased crop yields, decreased water availability, and the spread of infectious diseases.The United States is the largest worldwide contributor to global warming, releasing almost a quarter of the world’s carbon dioxide, the primary global warming pollutant.Power plants, cars, and light trucks are the largest U.S. sources of carbon dioxide. Existing technology could substantially educeglobal warming pollution by making power plants and factories more efficient, making cars go farther on a gallon of gasoline, and shifting the country to clean, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.Unfortunately, the U.S. government so far has rejected mandatory limits on global warming pollution, allowing carbon dioxide emissions to rise unabated.Using the most recent state fossil fuel consumption data from the Department of Energy, this report examines trends in carbon dioxide emissions nationally and by state for the 15 years spanning 1990 to 2004. Our major findings include the following:Carbon dioxide pollution is on the rise.• Carbon dioxide pollution from fossil fuel consumption is on the rise in the United States, increasing by 18 percent between1990 and 2004.• Electric power plants and the transportation sector—particularly cars and light trucks—drove the increase in emissions nationwide. Between 1990 and 2004, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from the electric power sector jumped by 28 percent and from the transportation sector by almost a quarter (23 percent).• Carbon dioxide emissions increased the most in the Southeast, Great Lakes/Midwest, and Gulf South regions over the 15 year period. The states experiencing the largest absolute increases in carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2004 are Texas, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, and Georgia.The electric power sector was the primary factor driving the increase in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2004.• The electric power sector accounted for more than half (55 percent) of the U.S. emissions increase. Rising electricity demand from residential, commercial and industrial consumers spurred this rapid increase in carbon dioxide emissions fromthe electric power sector.• Coal-fired power plants accounted for most of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions from the electric power sector. Between 1990 and 2004, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants increased by a quarter, accounting for three-fourths of the emissions increase in the electric power sector and 42 percent of the nation’s overall increase in carbon dioxide emissions.• The states that experienced the largest absolute increases in carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants between 1990 and 2004 are Illinois, Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Indiana.• Between 1990 and 2004, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas consumption in the electric power sector increased by more than two thirds (almost 70 percent), accounting for 13 percent of the nation’s overall increase in carbondioxide emissions.• The states that experienced the largest absolute increases in carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas-fired power plants between 1990 and 2004 are Florida, Texas, Arizona, California, and Nevada.The transportation sector also played a major role in driving up U.S. carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2004.• The transportation sector accounted for 40 percent of the nation’s overall increase in carbon dioxide emissions during this time period.• Cars and light trucks were responsible for most of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions from the transportation sector.Between 1990 and 2004, carbon dioxide emissions from motor gasoline consumption increased by almost a quarter (22 percent), accounting for more than half of the emissions increase in the transportation sector.• The states with the largest absolute increases in carbon dioxide emissions from motor gasoline consumption between 1990 and 2004 include Texas, Florida, California, Georgia, and Arizona. The longer we wait to reduce global warming pollution, the harder the task will be in the future. Many U.S. states have started taking important steps to cut global warming pollution within their borders, but the global warming problem also demands a national solution. Key components of an action plan to cut global warming pollution include:• Establishing mandatory, science-based limits on global warming pollution that reduce emissions from today’s levels by the end of the decade, by at least 15-20 percent by 2020, and by at least 80 percent by 2050.• Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by making our homes and businesses more energy efficient, making our cars and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gasoline, and generating more electricity from renewable energy sources.    http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/the-carbon-boom-state-and-national-trends-in-carbon-dioxide-emissions-since-1990 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/feeling-the-heat       http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/feeling-the-heat Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/rising-to-the-challenge Extensive http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/rising-to-the-challenge Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/greening-the-bottom-line   Cutting global warming pollution can be good for California businesses and our economy. Pioneering businesses across the Golden State are beginning to do their share to cut global warming pollution by being smarter about how they use energy and switching to clean, renewable energy sources. At the same time, they are finding that these strategies improve their competitiveness and help the bottom line—cutting energy costs, reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel and electricity prices, and attracting environmentally aware customers.This report highlights 12 such businesses or institutions and demonstrates the kinds of gains that can be had across California from an organized, statewide effort to reduce the state’s global warming pollution. Altogether, the companiesprofiled below have reduced their global warming emissions by more than 100 million pounds per year—while reducing their annual operating costs by more than $13 million.Adobe Systems Incorporated, San JoseAdobe has implemented 45 energy efficiency and conservation projects at its headquarters in San Jose, from installing more efficient lighting to reprogramming the central heating and cooling systems.• Economic Benefits: Invested $1.1 million; reduced operating costs by just over $1 million per year.• Global Warming Benefits: Cut carbon dioxide emissions by 16 percent (more than 11 million pounds) while increasing the number of employees.Westfield Corporation, locations statewideWestfield Corporation upgraded lighting systems at its seven San Diego-area shopping centers with more efficient technology, reducing electricity use by 19 percent. Westfield is nearing completion of a similar upgrade at 23 shopping centers nationwide. • Economic Benefits: Expects to reduce energy paying off investment in less than 24 months.• Global Warming Benefits: Nationwide, will reduce global warming pollution on the order of 40 million pounds per year.P-R Farms, ClovisIn 2005, P-R Farms installed one of California’s largest privately-owned solar photovoltaic systems on the roof of its packing house, where employees pack, store and ship over 1 million boxes of fruit per year.• Economic Benefits: Cost $3.2 million after rebates and credits; reduced monthly electricity bills by up to 80 percent; will reach full payback in 10 years.• Global Warming Benefits: Prevents 1.6 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)SANDAG’s RideLink program assists employers and commuters with alternative transportation to and from work—helping QUALCOMM win a 2nd place raking in EPA’s Best Workplaces for Commuters Program. • Economic Benefits: In fiscal 2006, RideLink estimates that it prevented nearly 2 million commuting trips, saving more than $50 million in fuel costs, reduced travel delays and other benefits.• Global Warming Benefits: The reduced vehicle travel avoided 125 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution.Bentley Prince Street, City of IndustryBentley Prince Street, California’s largest commercial carpet manufacturer, reduced the amount of energy and resources used in carpet production, improved lighting efficiency, installed solar panels, purchased renewable energy credits and pursued a number of other projects to improve sustainability.• Economic Benefits: Reduced the cost of manufacturing a unit of carpet by 48 percent since 1994, saving $3.8 million in 2005.• Global Warming Benefits: Reduced its global warming pollution by 75 percent (33 million pounds of carbon dioxide per year) in the last decade.California Environmental Protection Agency, SacramentoThe California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) built a new headquarters building in Sacramento using a suite of energy-smart features, including an efficient lighting system, an efficient heating and cooling system, rooftop solar panels and daytime janitorial services.• Economic Benefits: Cal/EPA staff estimate that the green features added no more than $2 million (or approximately 1 percent) to the cost of the building, and save over $1 million per year in reduced energy and operating costs.• Global Warming Benefits: The building purchases 100 percent renewable energy from the Sacramento Municipal Utility District and has zero electricity-related global warming emissions.Children’s Hospital Central California, Madera CountyAs part of a pilot Energy Star program with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Children’s Hospital Central California upgradedlighting and mechanical efficiency, saving over 4.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year.• Economic Benefits: The measures save more than $400,000 per year on energy costs; many projects paid for themselves in less than 1-2 years.• Global Warming Benefits: Cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 5 million pounds annually.San Mateo Community College District, San MateoSan Mateo County Community College District made energy efficiency improvements and installed cogeneration units that generate electricity for on-site use and use leftover energy to heat dozens of buildings on two campuses, cutting energy use by 56 percent.• Economic Benefits: Avoided $1 million in energy costs in 2005.• Global Warming Benefits: Reduced carbon dioxide pollution by 6.4 million pounds per year.Naval Base Coronado, San DiegoNaval Base Coronado replaced over 1,000 lightbulbs on its airstrips and heli-pads with Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)—brighter than the old bulbs while using 90 percent less energy.  Additionally, the base replaced over 200 clothes washers with more efficient models and installed a large solar photovoltaic system on a covered parking lot.• Economic Benefits: Reduced operating costs by over $500,000 per year; individual projects have a projected return on investment up to 26 percent.• Global Warming Benefits: Cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 4 million pounds per year.California Portland Cement Company, Mojave and ColtonCalifornia Portland Cement Company worked with the EPA’s Energy Star program to improve the efficiency of its manufacturing process. As a result, the company cut annual electricity consumption at one plant by 10 percent in 2005.• Economic Benefits: Saving nearly $3 million on electricity bills annually.• Global Warming Benefits: Reduced global warming pollution by over 27 million pounds per year. Clarum Homes, WatsonvilleIn 2005, Clarum Homes finished construction of the country’s largest community of zero-energy homes and apartments, Vista Montaña. Due to positive response from buyers, Clarum now builds zero-energy homes exclusively.• Economic Benefits: Efficient features and solar panels save Vista Montaña homeowners an average of 67 percent on their electricity bills, or over $1,200 per year—giving Clarum a unique marketing tool.• Global Warming Benefits: Vista Montaña prevents roughly 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually.Los Angeles Unified School DistrictLos Angeles Unified School District is prioritizing energy efficiency in a massive school construction and repair project, upgrading lighting, heating and cooling systems in hundreds of schools.• Economic Benefits: In 2005, the district installed measures reducing energy costs by over $950,000.• Global Warming Benefits: These measures reduced global warming pollution by over 7 million pounds per year.These case studies demonstrate that reducing global warming pollution at California businesses and institutions can be good for the environment—and profitable too.When companies think seriously about their energy use and global warming impacts, they find opportunities to use less energy, use it more efficiently, and generate it from renewable sources. At the same time, these opportunities can help companies achieve greater financial success.Policy RecommendationsJust as the companies profiled here are leading California toward solutions to global warming, California should lead the country in reducing global warming pollution.California should establish policies that encourage all businesses to invest in cost-effective ways to reduce global warming pollution.  Toward that goal, the state should:• Establish mandatory limits on global warming pollution from the state’s largest sources and reduce statewide emissions 25 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050.• Defend the state’s new global warming emission standards for cars and light trucks from legal attack by the auto manufacturers.• Enhance funding for energy efficiency and distributed generation, promote smart growth and transportation alternatives, and require the state’s electric utilities to generate 20 percent of their electricity with renewable energy sources by 2010 and 33 percent by 2020.• Work with other states and the federal government to encourage implementation of similar policies.    http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/greening-the-bottom-line Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/carbon-boom Global warming http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports/carbon-boom Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:02:25 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/when-it-rains-it-pours-global-warming-and-the-rising-frequency-of-extreme-precipitation-in-the-united-states Scientists expect that global warming will cause a variety http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/when-it-rains-it-pours-global-warming-and-the-rising-frequency-of-extreme-precipitation-in-the-united-states Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:55:59 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/hot-and-smoggy-the-ozone-hot-weather-connection-in-eight-california-cities Despite years of progress in cleaning up California’s air, millions of Californians continue http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/hot-and-smoggy-the-ozone-hot-weather-connection-in-eight-california-cities Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:58:09 -0600 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/global-warming-solutions-that-work-cutting-edge-efforts-to-curb-global-warming-pollution-and-the-lessons-they-hold-for-america Global warming is the defining challenge of our time. The http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/global-warming-solutions-that-work-cutting-edge-efforts-to-curb-global-warming-pollution-and-the-lessons-they-hold-for-america Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:00:40 -0500 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/a-global-warming-rx-make-polluters-pay-for-global-warming-pollution-and-invest-in-clean-technologies http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/a-global-warming-rx-make-polluters-pay-for-global-warming-pollution-and-invest-in-clean-technologies Thu, 29 May 2008 13:21:22 -0500 http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/getting-california-on-track-seven-strategies-to-reduce-global-warming-pollution-from-transportation California has much to lose from global warming. Declining mountain http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/global-warming/global-warming-reports2/getting-california-on-track-seven-strategies-to-reduce-global-warming-pollution-from-transportation Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:00:55 -0500