Arauzo 1

Talia Arauzo
Mr. Davis
U.S. Government 4
02 November 2015
Climate Change
Water and land. Two of the most important resources in the world. But what would
happen if their abundances drastically increased or decreased? Catastrophe would strike. Too
much water would cause a worldwide flood and too little would cause a worldwide drought.
These natural disasters would not only relate to water quantities, but directly to land quantities;
floods would result in a receding coastline and reduced living space and droughts would result in
an insubstantial water supply and astronomical water fees. These various scenarios relate to a
phenomenon known as climate change a long-term change in the earth's climate, especially
due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature (climate-change). Climate change
is a worldwide issue that is becoming increasingly controversial and crucial. The noted increase
in average atmospheric temperature is predominantly attributed to inflated levels of greenhouse
gases (GHG), especially carbon dioxide. This shift in the airs composition has been triggered
principally by vehicle emissions, a problem the entire world is currently combating. California
has the most progressive laws concerning this issue, surpassing all others states in the nation;
some of the noteworthy components of the states strategy sanctify and specify regional GHG
emission targets, GHG level reports, fee regulation for GHG emitters, low carbon fuel standards,
etc. Yet not all people support the states efforts, objecting to its economic effects on oil and
electricity companies and their products prices. The United States of America should adopt

Arauzo 2
Californias state legislation regarding air pollution because it will combat increases in harmful
ultraviolet radiation, the global average temperature, and carbon emissions from fossil fuels.
Implementation of the Californias air contamination laws will limit emissions of
greenhouse gases, decelerating the depletion of the ozone layer and stifling the intensification of
the most harmful type of ultraviolet radiation, UV-B. The forward-thinking laws of the Golden
State intend to decrease GHG emission levels to that of 1990 by 2020, a decrease of at least ten
percent. The course of action followed in order to fulfill this proposal is setting regional
emission targets, implementing emission fees, effectuating low carbon fuel standards (LCFS),
etc. All of these subcategories of Californias climate change legislation join to reduce GHG,
which will then subdue the depletion of ozone layer. The earth's ozone layer plays a critical role
in absorbing ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun (Tran et al.). According to Santa Clara
University, every one percent drop in ozone results in a two percent increase in the intensity of
the most harmful type of ultraviolet radiation, UV-B. Scientists predict that, beyond the health
risks to humans, a prolonged increase of UV-B rays could set in motion far-reaching and
unpredictable ecological changes (Andre, Hole in the Ozone). Thus, if the United States
continues on the same path, nearly all forms of life will eventually experience extensive
alterations to their health and environment. The United Nations Environment Program estimates
that a sustained one percent depletion of ozone will ultimately lead to a two to three percent
increase in the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (Allen, Ultraviolet Radiation). The
adaptation of Californias legislature nearly ensures none such increases will occur, since it aims
to revert to previously safe GHG levels and thus help restore ozone levels. However, ultraviolet
radiation is not the only detrimental effect of the depletion of the ozone layer.

Arauzo 3
A nationwide application of Californias air pollution laws will combat increases in the
global average temperature by reducing GHG emissions and monitoring unfavorable human
activity. Similar to ultraviolet radiation, the global temperature is linked to the ozone layer; the
depletion of this protective shield around the Earth has allowed more of the Suns energy to enter
and remain in the atmosphere, thus increasing the worldwide temperature. The global average
temperature since 1900 has risen by about one-and-a-half degrees Fahrenheit and by 2100, it is
projected to rise another two to eleven-and-a-half degrees Fahrenheit (Global Climate Change
Impacts). Additionally, nineteen of the twenty hottest years on record have occurred since
1980, with 2003 the third-hottest year ever (Williams 17). If the United States were to legislate
Californias regulations regarding climate change, the nation, and consequently the world, would
experience a drastic reduction in GHG, thus potentially stopping the Earth from becoming any
hotter. Moreover, as one of the worlds superpowers, the United States could influence other
nations to restrict GHG emissions, further aiding the fight against increasing global temperatures.
As mentioned earlier, land and water are directly associated, ones condition affecting the other.
Hence, if the global temperature increased, droughts would occur and water shortages would
soon follow. Also, glaciers and other ice formations would melt, thus expanding the ocean and
diminishing the coastline. According to Columbia University, the sea level rose about one foot
during the last century, mostly from thermal expansion of the oceans, and is expected to rise
closer to three feet during the coming century (The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming).
The enactment of Californias legislation could ultimately curb the depletion of the worlds
natural ice supply and put an end to the fear of a retreating coastline. Yet, the most prominent of
the effects of GHG is due to fossil fuels, a vital resource in todays world.

Arauzo 4
The focus of Golden States air contamination laws, carbon dioxide, the most abundant
GHG, can be restricted nationwide primarily by Californias Advanced Clean Cars Program
(ACCP) and Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS). The ACCP combines the control of smog,
soot causing pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions into a single coordinated package of
requirements for [vehicle] model years 2015 through 2025 (California's Advanced Clean).
The LCFS calls for a reduction of at least ten percent in the carbon intensity of California's
transportation fuels by 2020 (Low Carbon Fuel). Carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the
burning of fossil fuels, which are used for electricity, heat, and transportation. According to the
US EPA, global carbon emissions from fossil fuels increased by over sixteen times between
1900 and 2008 and by about one-and-a-half times between 1990 and 2008 (Climate Change
Impacts). This drastic increase highlights the need for severe action: ACCP and LCFS. If the
United States were to continue on its trend, people and animals everywhere would surely suffer
the consequences skin cancer, droughts, less land, just to name a few. It is necessary that this
country follow California in climate change policies, for its carbon emissions would drastically
decrease, possible preventing future ecological catastrophe. According to the US Department of
Energy, highway vehicles release about one billion, seven hundred thousand tons of GHGs into
the atmosphere each yearcontributing to global climate change. Each gallon of gasoline
burned creates twenty pounds of GHG ("Reduce Climate Change). Vehicles are one of the
main sources of GHG, thus it is pertinent that the United States closely regulate them. If the
United States were to adopt the ACCP and other Californian climate change laws, carbon
emissions from vehicles would heavily decrease and by 2030, emissions would be cut in half.

Arauzo 5
Despite the fact that many believe such laws are extremely beneficial to our environment, some
think otherwise.
There are those who do not support Californias climate change laws because they object
their economic effects on electricity and oil companies and their products prices. The states
legislation calls for reduced usage of gasoline and less carbon-intense gasoline, which would
economically impact oil companies. This would result in slightly increased gas prices, by about
a few cents a galloon. Additionally, Californias legislation calls for electricity providers to
obtain electricity from renewable sources. This too would raise electric power rates. According
to the Los Angeles Times, oil companieshave blanketed the state with warnings that the
government wants to track residents' driving, ration their gas and charge them for owning gasguzzling trucks or minivans (Megerian, Oil Industry). The companies have circulated such
advertisements to scare those who support Californias legislation. However, it is is false
advertisement that is only issued to combat the fear of loosing customers and money as a result
of the bill. Supporters of the legislation say they have no intentions of rationing gas or tracking
residents. Furthermore, the demise of oil companies will not occur for at least another couple of
decades; it is impossible to replace gasoline cars with electric cars over night, or even over a
couple of years. According to the Contra Costa Times, Oil producers say the [climate change]
standard will impact consumers in the state with some of the highest gas prices in the
nation (Lin B6). Although oil and electricity prices will increase from the strict laws, it will
be quickly offset by their cheaper operational costs; the program will encourage greater use
of cleaner biofuels and electric vehicles, which can be cheaper to operate than those powered by

Arauzo 6
gasoline or diesel (Lin B6). At any rate, a reduction in GHGs and a chance to prevent
consequential natural disasters is always a positive outcome.
The United States should adopt Californias state legislation regarding air pollution
because it will counter increases in harmful ultraviolet radiation, the global average temperature,
and carbon emissions from fossil fuels. According to the worlds leading scientists, there is
now thirty percent more carbon dioxide the primary global-warming gas in the atmosphere
than a century ago (Bily 63). The alterations to our atmosphere have been steadily increasing
over the past few decades and can inflict serious damage on our environment, including
droughts, floods, radiation, etc. As one of the most powerful nations in the world, the United
States needs to set an example and put a stop to GHG emissions for the sake of posterity.

Arauzo 7
Works Cited
Allen, Jeannie. "Ultraviolet Radiation: How It Affects Life on Earth." NASA Earth Observatory.
NASA, 6 Sept. 2001. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Andre, Claire, and Manuel Velasquez. "The Hole in the Ozone." Santa Clara University. Santa
Clara University, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2015.
Bily, Cynthia A. Global Warming: Opposing Viewpoints. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven,
2006. Print.
"California's Advanced Clean Cars Program." Advanced Clean Cars. California Air Resources
Board, n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
"climate-change." Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Climate Change Impacts." EPA. United States Environmental Protection Agency, n.d. Web. 18
Sept. 2015.
Gerdes, Louise I. Pollution: Opposing Viewpoints. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2011. Print.
"Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States 2009 Report." U.S. Global Change
Research Program. U.S. Global Change Research Program, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2015.
"The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming." The Greenhouse Effect. Columbia University,
n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2015.
Lin, Judy. "Regulators Restore State Fuel Standards." Contra Costa Times [Contra Costa County]
26 Sept. 2015: B6. Print.
"Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program Background." California Environmental Protection Agency
Air Resources Board. CA.gov, 18 Aug. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.

Arauzo 8
Megerian, Chris. "Oil Industry, Environmentalists in Ad War Over Bill to Cut Gasoline Use." Los
Angeles Times [Contra Costa County] 3 Sept. 2015. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Reduce Climate Change." Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. U.S. Department of Energy,
n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2015.
Roleff, Tamara L. Pollution: Opposing Viewpoints. San Diego, CA: Greenhaven, 2000. Print.
Rossman, Ronni E. "The Effect of Vehicular Emissions on Human Health." Yale National
Initiative. Yale, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2015.
Tran, Caroline, Dan Chong, Anne Keith, and Jordan Shively. "Depletion of the Ozone Layer."
UC Davis ChemWiki. University of California- Davis, 02 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
Williams, Mary E. Global Warming: Opposing Viewpoints. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2006. Print.