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A New California bill could give $1,000 in tax breaks for people who do not purchase a car. With over 28 million cars on the road in California, this legislation could help a great deal in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting climate change.

The bill was passed in both houses of the Legislature this week. The bill’s author, Sen. Anthony Portantino, D-Burbank, says that the hope is to get motorists to trade in their cars for buses and other forms of transportation.

“We can invest in the future by providing financial incentives for Californians to transition from vehicles to more sustainable options,” Portantino said in a statement.

California is already ahead in that they offer rebates of as much as $7,000 to those who purchase electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. The bill could be a push that California needs to inch closer to fewer cars and smog in the state. According to the legislation, the incentive could give tax credits for moderate and low-income households “with zero registered vehicles.”

According to the California Air Resources Board, transportation in California makes up 41 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions from the state. Recently, the state also passed a bill to ban the sale of gas-powered cars by 2025.

Source: NBC News/Youtube

However, on the other side of the coin, opposers say that this will cost taxpayers more and take away money for things like education.

One of the best things you can do to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions is to switch to a plant-based diet. A 2021 study found that global greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods are twice those of plant-based foods, while the IPCC’s sixth assessment report supports a shift to vegan diets.

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