Communities + advocates
Resources
University of Southern California: How to Measure Air Pollution and Its Effects
Measuring air pollution is crucial for understanding its impact on human health and the environment. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is responsible for 4.2 million premature deaths each year worldwide. In the United States, approximately 137 million people live in areas with unhealthy levels of air pollution, and it is estimated that air pollution contributes to over 100,000 deaths each year. I think once you get the chance to review this resource, you’ll find it provides valuable insights about the urgent need for effective measures to reduce air pollution and protect public health.
Long Beach: Stop fossil gas at your port!
Long Beach leaders are currently considering plans that would facilitate building new fossil gas stations at our port (also known as “bunkering”), a decision that would harm our community and exacerbate the climate crisis by increasing fossil fuel pollution and emissions. The Port of Long Beach — one of the largest and busiest ports in the U.S. — is considering updates to its Port Master Plan that would expand permissibility for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering to fuel LNG ships at the port for decades to come.
U.S. EPA Ports Primer for Communities
Ports Primer for Communities Office of Transportation and Air Quality (EPA-420-B-20-013). March 2020. An Overview of Ports Planning and Operations to Support Community Participation.
Campaign: Stop LNG in Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach is considering plans to allow development of a new fossil fuel facility for ships powered by methane emitting liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is not a clean fuel. Port of Long Beach must stop
fossil fuel expansion and invest in a livable, just climate future during our most decisive decade on climate action.
Policy Model: National Zero-Emission Shipping Policy – U.S. Clean Shipping Act 2022
Bring this to your national government! Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.), along with original co-sponsor Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), introduced H.R. 8336, the Clean Shipping Act of 2022. This bill becomes the first stand-alone legislation to zero out pollution from all ocean shipping companies that do business with the United States.
Policy Model: City Zero-Emission Shipping Resolution – City of Los Angeles Resolution on Maritime Industry Decarbonization
Bring this to your local government! The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted to adopt Councilmember Nithya Raman’s resolution calling on Los Angeles’ top maritime importers to commit to making all port calls to the San Pedro Port Complex, which includes the Port of Los Angeles, on 100% zero-emissions ships by 2030.
News + insights
Pacific Environment welcomes Ports of Singapore, Los Angeles, Long Beach Partnership plan, calls for increased ambition
Today, at the U.N. Climate Change Conference, the Ports of Singapore, Los Angeles and Long Beach announced a Partnership Strategy for a green and digital shipping corridor across the Pacific Ocean. This partnership builds on the prior commitments made by the United States and Singapore which was formalized by a Memorandum of Understanding by the ports during Singapore Maritime Week in April 2023.
Groups Applaud EPA’s Action to Curb Ship Pollution at California’s Ports
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the California Air Resources Board (CARB) waiver request for the At-berth ocean going vessel rule. This regulation is a first step towards ending fossil-fueled shipping in California waters and at the ports. The At-berth regulation is essential to reducing air pollution in California and protecting the health of millions of Californians who are most impacted by emissions from diesel-powered ships.
Pacific Environment applauds Cliff Rechtschaffen’s appointment to the California Air Resources Board
On September 27, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Cliff Rechtschaffen to the California Air Resources Board. Previously, Rechtschaffen has served as a Commissioner on the California Public Utilities Commission since 2017. He also served as a Senior Advisor on Climate and Energy in the Office of Governor Brown from 2011 to 2017.
With an Executive Order President Biden can take meaningful action to eliminate shipping emissions and advance environmental justice
In a letter sent to President Biden on World Maritime Day, 32 organizations called for an Executive Order to decarbonize maritime shipping. The Biden administration has already made significant commitments to eliminate emissions from the shipping industry, as well as to accelerate the development of zero-emission fuels and technologies and advance environmental justice. While the administration can achieve many of these commitments through legislation, the groups say, “there are critical actions that could be taken immediately through executive action.”
