Los Angeles' Battle toward Climate Change

Los Angeles County is home to 88 incorporated cities, and the region is well-known for battling with environmental problems such as smog and droughts. Therefore, L.A.’s overall impact on the environment was recently rated via UCLA researchers. The county currently has a C+ rating, but there have been several initiatives implemented to help reduce the many problems that have plagued residents for decades. For example, although the air quality is still one of the worst in the nation, it has actually shown a marked improvement during the past few decades.

What is the Purpose of UCLA’s Report Card?

Obtaining a good overview of the county’s environmental ranking can help lawmakers, business owners and individual residents develop a better understanding of the changes that still need to be made in order to improve local climate change conditions. One of the most notable aspects of UCLA’s recent report is that the water supply only earned a C rating. This is primarily due to issues with groundwater contamination. Additionally, the area is still importing a shocking 58 percent of its annual potable water. To put this into perspective, Los Angeles County uses more than double the amount of water that similarly sized regions throughout Europe rely on.

How Can Residents Make a Difference?

As of May 5, 2015, Los Angeles County has been under water restrictions due to the most recent drought. Residents and businesses are being asked to reduce their water consumption by 25 percent, and some areas have banned lawn watering. The reality is that this entire region is suffering from the effects of climate change, and it is now necessary for everyone to pitch in by using conservation methods.

Simply showering every other day or reducing your daily shower by five minutes will help alleviate some of the strain that has been placed on the area’s dwindling water supply. Residents should also avoid watering their lawn, washing their car and leaving the water running while they brush their teeth. Keep in mind that other steps need to be taken if you truly want to help the environment, including recycling.

If a home improvement project or new building construction forces you to cut down a tree, be sure to replace it in another nearby area. The best rule of thumb is to try to plant two trees for every one used for firewood, supplies or to make a clearing. This conservation method has also been embraced by American Forests and environmentally responsible companies such as Hardwood Bargains.

The Air Resources Board

The UCLA report is a helpful tool, but it is vital to regularly obtain new information about the air quality in Los Angeles County. The Air Resources Board (ARB) has a testing facility in the area, and they perform an average of 1,500 tests per year to ensure that the county’s air quality keeps moving in the right direction. Since 1968, biochemist Aire Jan Haagen-Smit has been instrumental in leading the fight for stricter environmental regulations. As a result of Haagen-Smit’s leadership, the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted from vehicles and factories in Los Angeles has continuously dropped for almost 50 years. In fact, the ARB has been able to convince legislators to enact stricter air quality controls for Los Angeles than those that are enforced by the U.S. government.

Eco-Friendly Los Angeles

The ARB may have been the first organization in the region to demand changes, but many cities and businesses since the ‘60s have embraced these ideas. The city of Los Angeles is now paving the way toward greener living through newer techniques such as environmentally friendly public transit systems and LEED certified hotels. Several attractions that are frequented by tourists have also made a pledge to help reduce their carbon footprint. The Los Angeles Convention Center has the LEED-EB Gold certification, and they focus heavily on recycling programs. Other businesses that have taken similar steps include the AT&T Center, Universal Studios, Aquarium of the Pacific and the California Science Center.

Local area residents and tourists who wish to help the environment can take advantage of public transportation, reduce their water consumption and give their business to companies that are committed to helping reduce the many issues that impact climate change. You can also learn more about the many ways that individuals can make a difference by attending the annual Green Festival. Ultimately, the only way that Los Angeles County can improve its C+ rating is if everyone makes a few simple changes to their daily lifestyle.

Photo by Don DeBold via Flickr

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