Pacific Institute Online Update for August 2004

AUGUST 2004 HEADLINES

Institute Backs Stronger Controls on Truck Idling, Toxic Air Pollution

Diesel exhaust is one of the leading sources of toxic air pollution in California. Soot from diesel pollution has been proven to cause cancer, and new research is linking diesel soot to climate change as well. The California Air Resources Board is developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gases from motor vehicles, but so far it doesn't cover diesel pollution. To remedy this, the Pacific Institute's Meena Palaniappan and Fanta Kamakate submitted comments to the Air Resources Board that detail the scientific links between diesel soot and global warming, and strongly encourage tighter limits on diesel particulates.

The Pacific Institute also brought together a group of environmental justice and health organizations to provide comments on the Air Resources Board's new proposed regulation of diesel truck idling to less than 5 minutes. We strongly supported the Board's move to regulate diesel vehicle idling, which greatly impacts communities throughout California -- particularly those communities near marine ports, bus depots, and other transportation hubs. We also encouraged the Board to develop a plan for systematic enforcement of this regulation including provisions for citizen involvement.

UPCOMING

8/5-8/7/04, Environmental Justice Action Camp [Oakland, Calif.], Interested in gaining skills as an environmental justice advocate? Then the Environmental Justice Action Camp is for you. The Camp will offer classes on campaign planning and other topics, and is open to all Bay Area residents and organizations. Info: Azibuike Akaba, 510-444-4426.

8/23/04, Energy Efficiency [Pacific Grove, Calif.], Gary Wolff will co-chair a session of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) summer study on energy efficiency in buildings. Info online.

9/16/04, Water Privatization [Tuscon, Arizona], Gary Wolff will give a keynote presentation to the Arizona Hydrological Society 17th Annual Symposium on findings from his paper, "Valuing Water for Better Governance." Dr. Wolff will also serve as Discussion Leader for three presentations on water value and price trends in Arizona. Info online.

STAFF UPDATES

7/30/04, Gary Wolff met with Carol Howe, Director of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation Urban Water Program, and some colleagues, to discuss water scarcity, water efficiency, and related issues.

7/28/04, 7/29/04, 7/31/04, Emily Lee and Margaret Gordon helped to organize and carry out the West Oakland Health Survey, a joint effort by the Coalition for West Oakland Revitalization and Pacific Institute to evaluate the health of a small neighborhood in West Oakland. The youth and adult surveyors spoke with more than 50 residents of the neighborhood surrounding the Prescott Joseph Community Center in an effort to better understand local health and environmental issues.

7/22/04, Margaret Gordon traveled to Sacramento to testify before the California Air Resources Board on state legislation regarding truck idling enforcement. Ms. Gordon shared her personal experiences with truck idling and diesel pollution.

7/20/04, 7/22/04, Emily Lee and Margaret Gordon organized and hosted a two-day training for youth and adult surveyors at Prescott Joseph Community Center. Participants learned survey and interviewing skills from Youth in Focus, an Oakland nonprofit that provides support for youth research, in preparation for the West Oakland Health Survey.

7/20/04, Margaret Gordon was interviewed by KPFA radio about the July 22 California Air Resources Board hearing on diesel truck idling.

7/6/04, Emily Lee, Margaret Gordon and Azibuike Akaba all attended the CA Air Resources Board Environmental Justice Workshop on Climate Change at the State Building in Oakland.

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