Global Warming Bill Passes California Legislature; Public Health Benefits

Global Warming Bill Passes California Legislature; Public Health Benefits
August 31, 2006 Thursday 12:51 AM Eastern Time

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Aug. 31

The California Legislature passed AB 32 (Nunez/Pavley) today, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. The American Lung Association of California applauds this action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions because of the serious health impacts of global warming.

Numerous studies indicate that increased emissions of air pollutants and toxic air contaminants, as well as elevated smog levels that accompany hotter temperatures will only make health conditions worse. "By passing this bill, we are preventing death and disease from air pollution-caused illnesses, particularly for those individuals suffering from asthma or other lung diseases, as well as heart disease and vector-borne diseases." said Anthony Gerber, MD, assistant professor of medicine at UCSF, and volunteer with the American Lung Association of California.

California already has the worst air quality in the nation, causing serious health problems, including a significant rise in hospital admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, emergency room visits related to asthma attacks, absences from school due to respiratory conditions, and reduced lung function growth in children. According to the California Air Resources Board, the annual health impacts of exceeding state health- based standards for smog and soot include 8,800 premature deaths, 10,200 hospital admissions for lung and heart disease, 340,000 asthma attacks with 3,000 asthma-related emergency room visits, and 4.7 million school absences due to respiratory conditions, including asthma.

"The worst thing we can do is nothing. If we do not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, public health will be threatened as evidenced on very hot days when emergency room visits rise," said Bonnie Holmes-Gen, assistant vice president of government relations for of the American Lung Association of California. "It is clear that reducing global warming is a vital clean air and public health strategy." Key statewide health and medical organizations agree and have signed a letter in support of AB 32, and more than 100 health professionals signed a similar petition.

AB 32 will create the nation's first statewide cap on global warming pollution, mandating a 25 percent cut in greenhouse gas pollution by 2020, and will establish a tracking system to monitor and enforce compliance with the cap. As evidenced by a recent survey, a majority of California voters believe that California legislators must take measures to reduce the effect of global warming. Additionally, economists find significant job and economic benefits, through the creation of new technologies and new businesses.

This is landmark legislation will not only make a huge contribution to solving the global warming problem, it can also make a big impact on policies and actions throughout the United States and the world. And California residents may all breathe a little easier.

CONTACT: Andy Weisser Vice President Communications American Lung Association of California P.O. Box 16400, Encino, CA 91416-6400 P: 818-703-6444 F: 818-703-6466 http://californialung.org

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