* Oil drilling is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction, transportation, and refining of oil all release harmful pollutants into the air, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to climate change.

* Climate change is already having a devastating impact on California. The state has experienced more frequent and severe wildfires, droughts, and floods in recent years. These events have caused billions of dollars in damage and have led to the loss of lives.

* Delaying oil drilling protections would only worsen these impacts. By allowing more oil to be drilled, California would be releasing more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and making climate change worse. This would lead to even more wildfires, droughts, and floods, and it would put the state's residents and economy at risk.

In addition to the environmental impacts, delaying oil drilling protections would also have a negative impact on public health. Oil drilling can release harmful pollutants into the air and water, which can cause a variety of health problems, including respiratory problems, cancer, and birth defects. Delaying oil drilling protections would put more people at risk of these health problems.

For all of these reasons, it is clear that delaying California's oil drilling protections until 2031 would be a major mistake. The state needs to take action now to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and address the impacts of climate change. Delaying oil drilling protections would only make these problems worse.

Here are some specific examples of the devastating impacts that climate change is already having on California:

* Wildfires: California has experienced some of the most destructive wildfires in its history in recent years. In 2018, the Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 people. In 2020, the August Complex Fire burned over 1 million acres of land and destroyed over 1,000 homes.

* Droughts: California has also experienced several severe droughts in recent years. The drought that began in 2012 was the worst in the state's history. It caused widespread crop failures, water shortages, and economic losses.

* Floods: California has also experienced more frequent and severe floods in recent years. In 2017, the Oroville Dam nearly collapsed, which would have caused catastrophic flooding in the Feather River valley. In 2019, the Los Angeles area was hit by a series of powerful storms that caused widespread flooding and mudslides.

These are just a few examples of the devastating impacts that climate change is already having on California. Delaying oil drilling protections would only make these problems worse. The state needs to take action now to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and address the impacts of climate change.