pollution cleanup efforts.
Release #:10 - 45
Date:07/21/2010
SACRAMENTO - In a new report released by the Air Resources
Board, scientists from the University of California at Davis
and
Berkeley estimate that rising temperatures from climate change
will increase ozone levels in California's major air basins.
The study also predicts that peak concentrations of dangerous
airborne particles will increase in the San Joaquin Valley due
to
the effects of climate change on wind patterns.
"We already know that climate change will bring us increased
forest fires, shorter winters, hotter summers and impact our
water supply," said Mary D. Nichols, ARB chairman. "Now we have
scientific evidence that higher temperatures are hurting our
lungs, too. To protect public health, we need to take
cost-effective measures to slash greenhouse gases now and
continue to ratchet down all sources of smog-forming emissions
and harmful soot and particles"
-- NOTE: Online version of this press release has a graphic
that
illustrates the study's expected ozone changes in the South
Coast
region due to climate change. Areas in orange and red could see
ozone concentrations elevated by nine to 18 parts per billion.
Online version is available here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/newsrelease.php?id=145 --
The new study provides evidence of what is becoming known as
the
'climate penalty', where rising temperatures increase ground
level ozone and airborne health-damaging particles, despite the
reductions achieved by programs targeting smog-forming
emissions
from cars, trucks and industrial sources.
Authors of the study found that California could experience as
many as six to 30 more days with ozone concentrations that
exceed
federal clean-air standards, depending on the extent of
increased
temperatures and assuming criteria-pollutant emissions in
California remain at 1990-2004 levels.
"Our study reveals that climate change and regional air
pollution are intertwined problems," said the study's lead
author, Dr. Michael J. Kleeman of U.C. Davis. "We must
consider
climate change and air pollution together as we plan for the
future."
The researchers predicted the effects of climate change on
California regions by merging the results from large-scale
global
models with detailed models for the South Coast and San Joaquin
Valley. These narrow-focused models utilize high-resolution
information about the geography, meteorology and emissions of
these areas.
Failure in the future to reduce ozone and particulate matter
levels to federally-required health-based levels could lead to
the loss of transportation funds used by the state to maintain
and develop roadways.
On a positive note the study also found that climate change
would decrease annual-average particulate-matter concentrations
in coastal regions of the state.
"California's interests are best served by taking a broad
scientific view of climate change and air pollution together,"
added ARB Research Division Chief, Bart Croes. "Programs to
protect California's public health from the linked threats of
global warming and air pollution need the guidance of the best
science available which is certainly exemplified by this
study."
To view the report go here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/apr/past/climate.htm .
For more information on ozone go here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/aaqs/caaqs/ozone/ozone-fs.pdf.
The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote
and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources
through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.
Office of Communications 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814.
Ph:
(916) 322-2990
ARB PIO CONTACT:
Dimitri Stanich
916-322-2825
dstanich@arb.ca.gov
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The energy challenge facing California is real. Every Californian
needs to take immediate action to reduce energy consumption. For
a list of simple ways you can reduce demand and cut your energy
costs, visit the Flex Your Power website at www.fypower.org .
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