From Ecopedia

Overview

California is a state on the western border of the United States, and is the most populated state in the country, and also the third largest state in terms of area. California is bordered by Nevada and Arizona to the east, Oregon to the north, Mexico to the south, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.^[1]

Known for it's major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, and its Mediterranean-like weather and atmosphere, California is said to be the most desirable state to live in. However, with it's high-population, California is the 2nd highest for Carbon Dioxide pollution, at 11 tons of carbon dioxide produced each year by each resident.^[2]

Environmental Information

California is rich in conventional and renewable energy resources. It has large crude oil and substantial natural gas deposits in six geological basins, located in the Central Valley and along the Pacific coast. Most of those reserves are concentrated in the southern San Joaquin Basin. More than a dozen of the Nation's 100 largest oil fields are located in California, including the Belridge South oil field, the second largest oil field in the contiguous United States. In addition, Federal assessments indicate that large undiscovered deposits of recoverable oil and gas lie offshore in the federally administered Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), although Federal law currently prohibits oil and gas leasing in that area.^[3]

California's renewable energy potential is extensive. The State's hydroelectric power potential ranks second in the Nation (behind Washington State), and substantial geothermal and wind power resources are found along the coastal mountain ranges and the eastern border with Nevada. High solar energy potential is found in southeastern California's sunny deserts. California is the most populous State in the Nation and its total energy demand is second only to Texas. Although California is a leader in the energy-intensive chemical, forest products, glass, and petroleum industries, the State has one of the lowest per capita energy consumption rates in the country.^[4]

The California government's energy-efficiency programs have contributed to low per capita energy consumption. Driven by high demand from California's many motorists, major airports, and military bases, the transportation sector is the State's largest energy-consumer. More motor vehicles are registered in California than any other State, and worker commute times are among the longest in the country.

Air Pollution

Air quality in the state of California is getting polluted with the presence of environmentally-damaging ozone as well as particulate matter. As per the findings of the American Lung Association, cities in California including Visalla-Porterville, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Sacramento-Arden-Arcade-Yuba City and Bakersfield are highly polluted with ozone and particulate contamination, due to which millions of people residing in the state are suffering from respiratory and other health problems.^[5]

Particulates are emitted from varied sources such as gasoline and diesel engines, dust, soil, power plants and construction as well as demolition projects.^[6]

Ozone on the other hand is produced from automobile engine exhausts and also from fuel combustion occurring in the presence of sunlight. Ozone inhalation is shown to cause lung inflammation and airways irritation, besides causing emphysema and severe asthma conditions. Ozone pollution is most rampant in the cities of Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Visalia-Porterville and Fresno-Madera regions in California.^[7]

Water Pollution

According to a report of the Natural Resources Defense Council, both water pollution and antiquated waterworks in California State are affecting the drinking water quality in many major cities including San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Certain environmental pollutants such as nitrates, industrial chemicals and pesticides present in the tap waters of the region pose serious health hazards especially to AIDS patients, pregnant women and infants.

Particularly in San Diego, chemical perchlorate is found in excess levels and waters in San Francisco, on the other hand, do not meet new government standards for trihalomethane, a disinfection byproduct that is a known carcinogen.^[8]

Ocean pollution in California is mainly caused by polluted run offs containing motor oil, pet waste, trash, dirt, pesticides and fertilizers among many others.

Oil spills, a frequent occurring in the oceans, damage the marine environment by polluting the aquatic life of the oceans. In 2007, on the bay of San Francisco, Cosco Busan oil spill caused the death of over 2,500 birds.^[9]

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

In an effort to minimize carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the state of California introduced the California Global Warming Solutions Act as well as Assembly Bill 32 for controlling global warming pollution in the state.

In addition, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Performance Standard Act enabled the state to become the first US state to commit the region’s electric utilities to adhere to minimum power standards for controlling global warming-causing pollution.^[10]

Green Policies

To counter the growing climate changes in the state, California started adopting greener strategies to reduce ever-increasing air pollution, besides striving to move towards achieving greater energy efficiency by investing in environment-friendly renewable energies such as wind energy and solar energy.

California’s green policies aimed at promoting cleaner fuels, cleaner cars, enhanced public transportation, energy efficiency, smart growth and water conservation, which promise to effectively minimize the dangerous global warming pollution.^[11]

References

1. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California
2. ↑ http://www.eredux.com/states/state_detail.php?id=1111
3. ↑ http://www.coolcalifornia.org/
4. ↑ http://www.coolcalifornia.org/
5. ↑ http://www.stateoftheair.org/2010/states/california/
6. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20090429/air-pollution-high-in-california-cities
7. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20090429/air-pollution-high-in-california-cities
8. ↑ http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-pollution-tap-water-unsafe-ca.htm
9. ↑ http://www.thankyouocean.org/threats/water-pollution
10. ↑ http://www.solutionsforglobalwarming.org/1calpolicy.html
11. ↑ http://www.edf.org/article.cfm?contentID=5235