BREATHE LA Statement on Global Warming

BREATHE LA

The impacts of a climate in despair are all around us. With the recent declaration by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that warming of the earth is "unequivocal," the reality of global climate change has become a recognized fact of supreme importance throughout the world. Summertime Arctic ice has declined by 40 percent since 1979; 11 of the past 12 years have been declared as the hottest years on record; Rising sea surface temperatures correlate strongly with increases in the number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes; Increases in wildfires, floods and droughts are predicted to occur as global warming continues unabated.

The time for action on global climate change is now. We each have an important role to play in making a difference. In April 2007, the United States Supreme Court ruled greenhouse gases as air pollutants subject to control under the Clean Air Act. Climate scientists warn that we must act now to make serious emission reductions if we are to avoid truly dangerous global warming pollution concentrations. Because carbon dioxide and some other global warming pollutants remain in the atmosphere for decades, centuries, or even longer, climate change impacts from pollution released today will continue throughout the 21st century and beyond. Failure to pursue significant reductions in global warming pollution now will create climate catastrophe in the future.

BREATHE LA works to address climate change through clean air advocacy and education initiatives. BREATHE LA actively promotes passage of effective clean air policies and works to educate the public about the harmful effects of air pollution. BREATHE LA educates youth about clean air through O24U, an environmental educational program provided to more then 1500 children throughout Los Angeles County each year. The 024U program empowers children to become advocates for clean air within their community through a comprehensive curriculum focusing on air pollution and environmental changes, health effects of air pollution, toxic indoor environments, and the use of alternative fuels and renewable energy.

BREATHE LA invites you to support our work to reduce Global Climate change and our work to empower the residents of Los Angeles County to create a greener world. Join us to make a difference!

BREATHE LA Global Warming Policy includes efforts to:

Encourage better coordination among regulatory agencies to set and enforce strict emissions standards.

Encourage action to accelerate availability of cleaner fuels for all vehicles

Development and access to clean burning engines for all personal and commercial vehicles.

Encourage dramatic expansion of mass transit throughout the entire Los Angeles metropolitan area.

Expand the level of discussion related to air quality to expand to include all who breathe in Los Angeles.

Breathe California of Los Angeles County (BREATHE LA), is dedicated to the future of clean air and healthy lungs in Los Angeles County through leadership in advocacy, innovation in environmental education and a commitment to advancing research and technology. BREATHE LA is a part of BREATHE California, a statewide organization with affiliates in Central Coast, Sacramento-Emigrant Trails, and San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara-San Benito Counties.

BREATHE LA was established in 1903 and has operated under several different names as we have built upon over a century of accomplishment in Los Angeles. BREATHE LA now works in partnership with statewide BREATHE California to promte clean air and healthy lungs and to advocate for policies that best serve and involve local communities.