I have been a proud Toyota Prius owner for over ten years. I am also a professor of environmental studies at San José State University, where I teach about global climate change and its impacts. Today I am outraged to see Toyota side against California in its fight against climate change and air pollution.

The Trump administration is rolling back federal car emissions standards set during the Obama era, but California is suing the administration to be able to uphold them. According to the federal Clean Air Act, California already has the power to write its own stricter air pollution regulations. Not only, California’s stricter clean-air laws serve as a model for nearly two dozen other U.S. states. This is why it is so key that California maintain its right to set its own air pollution laws.   

In the fight between the Trump administration and California, Toyota, an early champion of low-emission cars, has chosen to side with Trump’s administration.  This is absolutely shocking and, especially at a time when California is battling fires and related power outages, it feels like a real punch in the gut. 

Please join me in asking Toyota to DO THE RIGHT THING and back California’s emission standards. Sign and share!