Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2022, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-12-15/california-approves-roadmap-for-carbon-neutrality-by-2045.

This energy focused on California’s new goal to find new sources of energy for transportation, agriculture, and more. According to the Los Angeles Times, the new plan is aimed to achieve a carbon neutrality state by 2045. Its main way of performing this would be to reduce fossil fuel demand by 86%. Governor Newsom is additionally making this a mandate, not a recommendation, as he wants to set an example for other states/ other countries. Additionally, this plan includes capturing carbon and storing it underground. Officials also hope to move away from gas-powered cars and trucks while also limiting the chemical impact of these vehicles. Newsom is also focusing on reducing plane emissions. However, California’s plan doesn’t come without its critiques. Some say that this will not be enough to combat climate change. 

I really hope that California’s new plans actually do make a difference, despite many doubts. I also think that it’s urgent enough to start enforcing these plans, instead of debating them. Setting a good climate leader reputation can also inspire other places to do the same, however, it might be hard for underdeveloped countries to make these plans without the high levels of funding. I think it would be a good idea to come up with a cheap solution to carbon emissions so almost everyone can participate in saving the climate, not just wealthy countries. Transportation emissions are a leading cause of co2 in the atmosphere, and almost everyone contributes to this. For one, I plan on continuing to carpool to school and use public transportation whenever possible. 

CalChamber. “California Transportation Agency Calls for Projects to Upgrade Port Infrastructure.” Advocacy, 13 Oct. 2022, https://advocacy.calchamber.com/2022/10/13/california-transportation-agency-calls-for-projects-to-upgrade-port-infrastructure/.

This article took on a different lens of transportation; imported goods. The California State Transportation Agency recently issued a $1.2 billion dollar project for funding new and improved port and freight infrastructure. This new infrastructure would be more efficient and sustainable at moving goods. This will increase the capacity to move goods while also causing less damage to the environment. The ports in California account for a large portion of the movement of goods in and out of the country, and it’s important to upgrade and sustain these ports with the changing climate conditions. This new law is also encouraging others to work together to find new and innovative ways to better our transportation regarding the movement of goods, and many new projects are being funded by the state of California. 

I thought this article was interesting because you dont really hear much news about the ports in California, but they are just as important and need to be updated as well. I was surprised to learn what percent of the ports are distributed throughout our state, and that made me realize that this most likely increases the carbon output in our state. In order to keep up with the carbon output, we also need to be taking carbon out of the atmosphere, and upgrading our infrastructure along with it. I hope in the future our ports become more regulated, and the demand for goods outside of California becomes less so we can focus on buying locally, and reducing our carbon footprint. 

As Emissions Requirements Sunset, California Wants Zero-Emission. December 1,2022. https://www.fleetowner.com/emissions-efficiency/article/21255635/california-proposes-zeroemissions-drayage-by-2035.

In order to meet Governor Newsom’s new carbon regulations, groups like the California Air Resources Board and others are making fast changes. The new regulations require all truck engines to have a 2010 model or newer. The purpose of this is to regulate carbon emissions, as newer engines are more efficient and release less carbon into the atmosphere. Additionally, California is investing billions into building more charging stations for electric trucks. However, there is concern regarding whether the electricity grid can support all of this use of electricity. According to Matt Schrap from the Harbor Trucking Association, truckers are unable to meet their deadline due to the  lack of  “charging infrastructure.”  If California is enforcing new laws, there needs to be enough resources in order to meet these new laws. 

This article made me realize how expensive charging infrastructure can be, but it is necessary for electric vehicles. I’m glad that real changes are beginning to happen in 2023, and we are racing against the climate change clock. The decarbonization of our vehicles must apply to all vehicles like trucks, boats, trains, planes, not just cars. This article made me wonder where all the money is coming from that is being used for funding. Taxes are a big part, but I don’t feel like they are enough to cover spending billions of dollars each year on new solutions. I wonder if we are borrowing money from an alternate source, or if we are going to be in great debt soon and will run out of money.

Plumer, Brad. “California Approves a Wave of Aggressive New Climate Measures.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Sep. 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/01/climate/california-lawmakers-climate-legislation.html.

This article discusses the levels of funding for transportation in California, and the plans for action. Governor Newsom approved budget plans for a record of over $54 billion in the next 5 years for climate programs. Of the $54 billion, $6.1 billion is for electric vehicles, $14.8 billion is for transit projects, and $8 billion is to stabilize the electric grid and more. This article also offered a new perspective on the future of transportation. If more people lived at a close proximity to public transportation, the importance of electric vehicles might not have as much of an impact. Additionally, California now offers a $1000 tax refund for Californians who don’t own a car. This acts as an incentive to live a lifestyle that doesn’t rely on cars, and also helps the planet. Governor Newsom took serious action towards climate change in 2022 and he set a record budget. 

I was really surprised by the amount of money going into fighting climate change, and especially improving transit throughout California. I really do hope that all of this money makes a significant impact, and doesn’t go to waste. I also liked the idea of encouraging people to live a car-free lifestyle, and I thought that that was a simple yet effective way to reduce carbon emissions without spending large sums of money. I think the incentives are a great way to push citizens towards reducing their carbon footprint, and I hope there’s more to come in the future.

Smith, Joshua Emerson. “Why California Isn’t Banking on Electric Cars to Replace Public Transit in Greener Future.” Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Dec. 2022, https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/transportation/story/2022-12-02/will-electric-cars-replace-the-need-for-public-transit-in-san-diego.

This article portrayed the unrealistic climate change goals in California. At the rate we are headed, we will not reach our plan to meet the state’s target of carbon neutrality by 2045 unless the average person cuts their average daily miles from 25 to 17 miles. This article also claims that the demand for electric vehicles will not be sufficient enough to meet the goal of banning all gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. Many citizens must trade long car commutes for neighborhood and public transportation in order to really make a difference. This article also warns on the dangers of electrifying our world with cars, homes, cooking and heating. This creates a large electrical demand which contradicts the original purpose of many new developments in the electrical industry. Additionally, the debate over the future of transit options in California is heavily reliant on disagreements about housing. Population density is another factor that affects the future of transportation, and no factor too small should be overlooked. 

This article was very interesting and informative. I learned that maybe we should be putting our money into public transportation instead of electric vehicles. This is a complicated debate that affects almost everyone, and it’s important to not overlook certain communities as well. The future of transportation cannot reach its full potential without actions from the citizens. I also found it interesting how even though we are trying to move away from fossil fuels, electric cars increase the demand for electricity, which continues the cycle of fossil fuels. It almost seems impossible to get away from fossil fuels in the future, as they are so tightly built into our society. I hope that California reaches its goal of becoming carbon-neutral and we can act as a role model for other states and countries.

Jenn, Alan, and Alan Jenn. “Could a Transportation Revolution Actually Save Us from Climate Change?” YES! Magazine, 5 Apr. 2022, from: https://www.yesmagazine.org/environment/2022/04/05/ipcc-report-transportation-revolution

Scientists claim that an immediate reduction in transportation is necessary to reduce co2 emissions. Solutions like ride shares, ubers, and public transportation can be extremely helpful during this reduction. Only 9% of car sales are electric vehicles, however, with new policies, the percentage is predicted to increase. Additionally, the decreasing cost of lithium batteries increases the affordability of electric vehicles. This article also shared how telecommunications reduce transportation and reduce co2 emissions by encouraging people to meet and talk online instead of traveling.

This article offered many solutions to climate change regarding transportation. I learned that it’s important to act and change now in order for the survival of our climate. Electric vehicles are a safe, but the expensive solution, and hopefully will become more popular in the future. Many cannot afford to buy electric vehicles, and I think we should try really hard to reduce the cost inorder to benefit the environment.

Published by Ian Tiseo, and Jun 21. “U.S. Transportation Emissions by State 1980-2019.” Statista, 21 June 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1010152/transportation-sector-co2-emissions-us-by-state/

California and Texas are the two states that produce the most emissions associated with transportation in the United States. California took first place in emissions during the 2010s, but in 2013 its carbon reduction plan allowed Texas to surpass California in transportation emissions. Also, California has been focusing on reducing emissions and funding new laws. For example, California plans on banning all new gas-fueled cars by the year 2035. While California and Texas are the two most populated states in America, they account for nearly a quarter of all US emissions.

This article breaks down transportation emissions into states, and we are allowed to see how some states are hurting the environment more than others. I am disappointed that the state I live in contributes so many emissions to the environment, but I am also not surprised because we have such a large amount of people living in California. I am happy that new gas cars will be outlawed by 2035 and excited to see new inventions that allow for fewer transportation emissions. 

Storrow, Benjamin. “U.S. Emissions Rise 4 Percent as Drivers Log a Record Number of Miles.” Scientific American, Scientific American, 27 May 2022, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-emissions-rise-4-percent-as-drivers-log-a-record-number-of-miles/

In 2022, transportation emissions have risen greatly. In previous years, the new Covid-19 pandemic greatly reduced all kinds of emissions, yet as we become more comfortable with the pandemic, emissions rise. Data has proven that high gas prices have not changed consumers’ behavior, however many are hopeful that the sustained high prices will push Americans towards other types of transportation like walking or driving electric vehicles. On the other hand, the rate at which people are buying electric vehicles is at an all-time high, yet electric vehicles represent a very small percentage of the auto industry.

Transportation is necessary but at what cost to our environment? This article showed how prices and epidemics are affecting transportation emissions, harming our environment. Many habitats and species are being destroyed because of the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, which is determined by many factors, but specifically transportation. I am aware that electric vehicles can be very expensive to buy, and I wonder if EVs reduced their price, how would it affect emissions? 

“Biden-Harris Administration Takes Step Forward to Combat Climate Change, Announces Proposed Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Framework.” Biden-Harris Administration Takes Step Forward to Combat Climate Change, Announces Proposed Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Framework  from May 1, 2022 https://highways.dot.gov/newsroom/biden-harris-administration-takes-step-forward-combat-climate-change-announces-proposed

Transportation is the leading factor of Greenhouse Gas emissions within the United States, but based on new federal rules, this is going to change. The Biden-Harris administration plans on increasing fuel efficiency, increasing funding for safer solutions, protecting communities, and transforming transportation from being the greatest emissions source to becoming the greatest part of the solution. Also, the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will have an immense impact on environmental management, and help local governments reach their greenhouse gas emission goal. 

This article goes into depth about how powerful governmental laws can be when reducing climate change. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions takes a lot of energy, resources, power, and money, but it is necessary for our future generations and survival. Often times we forgot that the government has the ability to create serious change, and the implication of these new laws gives me hope, and I am excited to see what will come next.

Person, and Levi McAllister Ella Foley Gannon. “The Transportation of Tomorrow Will Address Climate Change.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 5 Jan. 2022, https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/transportation-tomorrow-will-address-climate-change-2022-01-05/#:~:text=January%205%2C%202022%20%2D%20As%20the,the%20face%20of%20climate%20change

This article clearly portrayed the cause-and-effect relationship between politics and climate change regarding transportation. All types of transportation contribute greatly to greenhouse gas emissions, and while many states/legislatures are trying to implement laws to reduce emissions and encourage green options, others are set on not changing anything. Aviation transportation contributes greatly to gas emissions, and if left unchecked, will continue to rise and cause harm. However, groups like the Biden administration, The Aviation Working Group, and some airlines are pushing to achieve “net zero” emissions. Additionally, ships and cargo ships also pose a large threat to our environment, as it is very challenging and expensive to explore other options such as hydrogen-fueled ships, nuclear power, and other greener options.

This article is related to environmental science because it portrays how transportation is negatively affecting our environment, and what we can do to protect our environment. Transportation of other vehicles besides cars is often overlooked within our society, but this article proves that airplanes and ships are just as important to study and reduce emissions. This article made me think of the transportation I use every day, and how I can help the environment by reducing my own emissions. Instead of driving, I could easily walk, bike, or use public transportation to go places. I am also happy and grateful that there are large and powerful groups fighting to reduce emissions and introduce safer alternatives.