The California Pollution Problem

When you think of problems in the world today, water pollution isn’t one that would normally come up. In fact it is one of the worst problems in the world today. Water pollution, by definition, is the contamination of streams, lakes, underground water, bays, or oceans by any substances harmful to living things. All living things contain water and most need water to survive, so water pollution is a big problem. If severe, the pollution can kill off birds, fish, and any animals that use the water source. In some cases even killing an entire species.

1. How could the law and public policy be used to minimize the negative impact(s) of Sample Drought Executive Order 2016? Explain, giving one example of a type of law or public policy.

Pollution has a really bad effect on the ecosystem. It can be harmful to the animals; from poisoning, to losing a body part, or even death. It can kill the local plant life, and affect us. Now you tell me, would you want to live and raise your kids in a filthy, polluted place that is not good for any

Los Angeles County ranks among the 10% worst air quality polluters in the US. The hustle and bustle of public transportation and smog released by an over-populated commuter based region, have significantly lowered air quality standards. Henceforth, health concerns have risen for all Angelinos. Research has observed that there is a serious influx of pollutants in the air that could have damaging results both on adults and children alike. However, different forms of renewable energy over the years have facilitated an alternative to this issue. A movement away from an urban sprawl Los Angeles to new urbanism has allotted us better living and breathing conditions over the last several years.

I live in Moreno Valley, California where the water quality is 50 on a scale of 100 (with higher being better). I myself have a water cooler dispenser like you would see in an office building being when I moved here I was told not to drink the water. Nevertheless, presently in my local area there are issues of water quality and a few issues of water quantity. For example, Moreno Valley drainage system is polluting our waterways, climate change is intensifying California droughts, human population and wasteful water consumption are further adding to the water source depletion. But in Moreno Valley we rely on a mixture of groundwater, the State Water Project, and the Colorado River as our primary source of drinking water. At the current state

California has been at the forefront of addressing environmental concerns, by balancing environmental protection with economic growth, property rights, public health, and energy production. This is done mainly through laws and regulation passed at all governmental levels and influenced by many stakeholders with different agendas. California has been the most active state in addressing climate change. The state has enacted mandatory carbon reductions, and required emissions standards for automobiles.

Los Angeles has the worst air quality in the nation. In the Los Angeles area an estimated 1,341 people die each year from conditions caused by poor air quality (Danelski, 2016). When compared to our neighboring cities and counties our death rate is significantly higher. While both local and state governments have enforced many different regulations to combat air pollution.

For the past few years, the American Lung Association has been releasing its annual reports on the “State of The Air” that lists the most polluted cities in the United States. For instance, in 2014, out of the seven cities ranked to have the worst air quality, six of them are in California. The two major air pollution culprits in California are from the transportation sources such as trucks and cars, or from the stationary sources such as industrial facilities and refineries (Ierodiakonou, et al. 392). However, the California Air Pollution Control Officers Association includes other pollutants in their reports such as Sulphur(IV) oxide, Carbon(II) Oxide gas and Nitrogen(IV) Oxide from chemical industries, which also causes harm to human beings and the environment at large.

California’s central valley air contains several different toxic pollutants produced by things such as industries, vehicles, and other means. Ozone is a type of pollutant that can cause serious health issues. It is produced when nitrogen dioxide, which is produced by cars and power plants, is exposed to the sun. Nitrogen dioxide alone can cause breathing issues and damage to the lungs. When nitrogen dioxide becomes ozone, it can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, cause damage to rubber, paint, and paper surfaces, and damage plants. Carbon monoxide, nitrates and other oxides are also problematic in California. The state also has an abundance of natural pollutants such as dust and smoke. In California, we do not get enough rain to wash the air clean, and we get enough sun to create an increase in issues with pollution.

Pollution is currently affecting all of the creatures that are living in the ocean and people who depend on them. It affects every waterway, sea and oceans in the world. This is a big problem that is not been took into consideration. Many important things depend on the ocean and we are treating the ocean like a giant trash bin. Others may not find the importance in taking care of the ocean but that is because they are not fully informed.

Pollution affects all living species and almost all ecosystems. Studies have shown a link between air pollution and increased deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory problems. But, humans are not the only ones who are affected by air pollution. Dangerous toxins, like mercury, have shown to settle on plants and in water. Animals then consume the water and plants and then they become affected. The health effects of these poisons then go up through the food chain until it has reached the top. Animals at the top of the food chain are the ones with the largest concentrations of these toxins. Water pollution is another impactful factor in our ecosystems. Clean water is vital to the survival of life. Water is used for drinking, irrigating crops, and other recreational means. But water can easily be contaminated with improperly disposed industrial waste, agricultural runoff, mining activities, and waste treatment plants. Although most people can fight harmful bacteria and viruses, some with compromised immune systems, may not be able to fight them off. Life threatening conditions could occur; it could also affect wildlife in a harmful way. Soil contamination, which consist of harmful liquids or solids mixed with soil, can also affect humans and wildlife in a harmful way. If dangerous chemicals, or other harmful substances, mix with soil, they then can take root in plants that grow on them. If

Lives are being lost and habitats are being damaged because of carless people. Ocean pollution has a big amount of effects on the wildlife. There are also a lot of different kinds of pollution, from noise to offshore drilling. There is a lot of different ways that the trash gets in the ocean causing population. Pollution in the ocean is killing animals and endangering habitats; this is also having major effects on tourism. It’s more than just trash in the ocean and it causes more problems than everyone thinks.

According to http://wwf.panda.org/ Pollutants like oil, nitrogen, detergents, and phosphate can have a significant impact on an ecosystem. It can create chaos on an ecological balance by encouraging plant growth and killing fish. Fish would die because of the lack of oxygen due to the oxygen cycle stopping. 1 million water aquatic species are put at risk because of water pollution. This makes it hard for amphibians to reproduce because water pollution is killing off species before they can. Water pollution also affects coral reef reproduction. When pollutants enter the water they smother reefs. This can damage the algae in the reef and affect the speed and growth of the reef. When the algae is lost the coral starts to die. Once the coral starts

To believe that human development has not increased our impact on the world we live in is a blind mans assumption. In fact, scientists are able to detect even the incredibly small actions we have on the world around us (National Geographic Freshwater 101: Pollution). New technology allows us to see that our pollution is causing a great deal of damage, especially in aquatic ecosystems. Freshwater ecosystems are often the receiving end of our pollution because they are abundant and water will quickly wash our byproducts away. However, to say these byproducts do not affect other locations is false. Often times, runoff of human sewage and waste will find its way to freshwater ecosystems and harm the wildlife that resides there. Even humans can feel the affects of our own waste. Pollution is just as likely to work its way into our drinking water as it is a nearby pond. And in some parts of the world, there are no regulations to make sure that people are not consuming this tainted water (National Geographic Freshwater 101: Pollution). There are many ways pollutants can harm an ecosystem, but how they actually harm it is an unknown to many people.

has been known to cause some health problems due to pollution. From minor illnesses such as rashes and diarrhea to major illnesses such as liver failure, respiratory problems and neurological effects. “Polluted drinking waters are a problem for about half of the world’s population. Each year there are about 250 million cases of water-based diseases, resulting in roughly 5 to 10 million deaths.” {http://www.pacinst.org}. To know that water, which we need to survive on is being contaminated to the point that it is posing a health threat to half the population is bothersome. We need water to survive and thrive on, and now we can’t even drink water without worrying what health risk the water poses. Polluting the water a few times is understandable and can