Cleaner Air Is Actually Hobbling California’s Climate Fight

(Bloomberg) — 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 warming programs while it lasts.Many of those green initiatives are funded through a cap-and-trade system and the sale of permits to businesses that pump heat-trapping gases into the atmosphere. Last year, California spent about $2 billion from the sales to continue building a high-speed rail system, buy electric school buses and prevent wildfires — all steps to chip away at emissions. Now emissions have decreased as the pandemic has closed offices, factories and schools. Read more