CO2 and Climate Change

Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns from increased levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere are triggering adverse environmental impacts. In many places, extreme weather events such as flooding, drought, storms, and forest fires are becoming more frequent, severe, and costly.

• The Earth’s surface is currently warming at a rate of about 3°F per century; 2016 was the Earth's hottest year on record

• Annual average CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere, which were approximately 280 parts per million (ppm) in pre-industrial times, now average 407 ppm, with global temperatures reaching new highs.

Regulation of Greenhouse Gases

Within WESTCARB’s territory, British Columbia, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington have passed legislation setting GHG reduction targets. A variety of policy approaches—carbon taxes, cap-and-trade programs, low carbon fuel standards, and power plant emission performance standards—are helping achieve these goals.

For many large industrial facilities, carbon capture and storage technologies will be needed to reduce CO2 emissions to comply with GHG regulations.