Cleaner Air Is Actually Hobbling California’s Climate Fight (1)

摘要

For once in California’s fight against climate change, lower greenhouse gas emissions aren’t cause for celebration.The recent drop in pollution as many factories sit idle is temporary, but it could hurt the state’s anti-global warmingprograms while it lasts.Many of those green initiatives are funded through a cap-and-trade system and the sale of permits to businessesthat pump heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Last year, California spent about $2 billion from the sales tocontinue building a high-speed rail system, buy electric school buses and prevent wildres -- all steps to chip awayat emissions. Now emissions have decreased as the pandemic has closed oces, factories and schools. Staterevenue from selling permits in is in jeopardy.