Author: eligoodman

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CA Population vs Water

Weiser, M. (2017, February 14). State’s population growth expected to outstrip water conservation in coming years. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from http://www.sacbee.com/ news/local/environment/article10311635.html

A 2009 California mandate requires a 20% reduction in per capita water consumption by 2020. However population projections that suggest a 14% population increase by 2030 suggest that overall state water consumption will, in fact, increase about 16% total. In essence, even with per capita savings, California’s water demand will increase by 1 million  acre-feet, a massive quantity of water. This is especially important information because California has a long history of water shortages and droughts.

This article demonstrates just how much of an impact population growth (especially in California) can have on resource demand (especially water). What would seem to be a massive decrease in water usage, 20%, is eclipsed by the state’s immediate population growth. In order to effectively conserve water the state needs to implement constant measures that truly regulate water usage for industry, residences, and agriculture. Population data must always be taken into account when conservation measures are drafted.

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Changing population trends in California

Miller, J. (2017, March 10). California’s population getting grayer, new projections show. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/ capitol-alert/article137592703.html

A recent report from the California Department of Finance has some interesting projections about California’s population. First, its population is expected to increase from 39 million to 51 million by 2060. At this time, it is likely that Latinos will make up 46% of the population from the current 39%. Lifespans will increase and death rates slightly decline. By 2051, deaths might exceed births though the population might still increase due to migration.

Though there is a large discussion about California’s growing population, a declining population in the long term could also be a major issue. Just like some Asian and European countries, the Californian population might begin falling in about thirty four years, leading to social and economic difficulties that are already evident in Japan, China, and France. However, until deaths surpass births in 2051 the twelve million person increase in California’s population is likely to cause environmental issues surrounding food, water, energy, space, and more.

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Climate change reduction only possible through housing density

Dillon, L. (2017, March 6). California won’t meet its climate change goals without a lot more housing density in its cities. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from http://www.latimes.com/ politics/la-pol-ca-housing-climate-change-goals-20170306-story.html

California has promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in 2030 from 1990 levels. However, since transportation related sources are the largest producers of greenhouse gas, the most effective way to actually reduce driving by Californians is to make cities more dense, thus prioritizing urban growth over sub-urban growth. With a growing population, the issue of housing development and job creation is bigger than ever. By concentrating housing near commercial hubs, the state might be able to reduce driving just enough to meet its targets.

The idea that denser cities reduce transportation needs is interesting. While reduced need for excessive travel is certainly an advantage of dense city living, the tight spaces and some degree of air pollution associated with urban areas can result in harmful health consequences. I do think that housing will become more dense, and with growing populations, cities will continue rapid development. But there is always a flip side to such development and environmental risks must always be mediated to enable a successful coexistence between people and the non-human natural world.

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Tijuana and San Diego’s sewage problem

Dibble, S., & Smith, J. E. (2017, March 12). Two countries, one sewage problem: Tijuana and San Diego grapple with renegade flows. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http:// www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/border-baja-california/sd-me-border- sewage-20170310-story.html

Over a four day period in early February (Though the US claims it was 17 days), Mexico’s San Antonio de los Buenos sewage treatment plant leaked large quantities of untreated sewage into the Pacific Ocean after a major trunk line broke. US officials say the amount of sewage released could be as much as 230 million gallons. The sewage has caused major  water contamination through Baja California and California, reaching as far north as San Diego. Baja California’s governor is expected to call a state of emergency and request $3.6 million from California for repairs to the treatment facility and about $40 million from the EPA for a major overhaul of their systems. Many of these issues are being addressed through an agreement between the US and Mexico called Minute 220 that aims to address many environmental issues surrounding the international Tijuana River watershed.

This binational environmental issue demonstrates the need for effective and long-lasting infrastructure. As populations grow in California, Mexico, and across the globe, waste treatment facilities become less able to handle the massive amount of waste being produced. The facilities become damaged more frequently and there are far reaching and certainly disgusting consequences. Thus, a rapidly growing population can indirectly cause tragedies’ of commons and international incidents.

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L.A. keeps building near freeways

Barboza, T., & Schleuss, J. (2017, March 2). L.A. keeps building near freeways, even though living there makes people sick. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from http://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-freeway-pollution/

Los Angeles has some major problems surrounding development near heavily trafficked areas. Officials have long warned against building within 500 feet of highways, as exposure to their air pollution has been linked to asthma, heart attacks, lung cancer, dementia, and more. However, the city approved over 4,300 homes near freeways in 2015, and continues to issue building permits for potentially dangerous locations. 1.2 million people live within 500ft of Southern California freeways and with more expected in the future. As near-freeway lands are about 10% of residential zoning, many officials are suggesting more innovative air filtration not more strict regulation.

As the populations of cities continues to grow, they face two large issues, lack of residential space, an increase in traffic. These two problems combine in the major social justice issue surrounding building near highways. It is certainly an economic and social dilemma about how to divide up space in cities, but unfortunately it usually plays out such that lower income families are subject to the major health risks associated with freeway pollution. Studies indicating the health risks of a growing urban population should be the foundation for legislation that enables safe and affordable living environments.

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How Infrastructure Drives Growth in America’s Metropolis

Moser, J. (2016, October 25). Building Empire City: How Infrastructure Drives Growth in America’s Metropolis. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ joelmoser/2016/10/25/building-empire-city-how-infrastructure-drives-growth-in- americas-metropolis/

In the past two decades, there has been a steady trend of people in more rural or suburban areas of the US movies into cities. This migration is fueled by good jobs and economies in cities like New York in addition to the establishment of urban parks and the revitalization of downtowns. New York City’s population has increased by 15% in about 15 years. Populations in the US are becoming more dense and compact in the 21st century. However, these highly populated cities result in environmental strains for energy and space.

As American cities continue to grow and increase in population, the demand for food and resources will grow as well. In addition, further industrialization will likely have negative effects on natural habitats and ecosystems. Practical city infrastructure must be built in conjunction with infrastructure intended to preserve natural habitats. Hopefully, resource needs can be met though urban farming and increased efficiency in the agriculture industry, and ecosystems can be preserved with parks and other infrastructure like the “ecological corridor.”

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Feeding 9 billion people by the year 2050

Ragan, K. (2016, November 19). Feeding 9 billion people by the year 2050: Greeley producers, students and educators feel the pressure. Retrieved November 19, 2016, from http:// www.greeleytribune.com/news/feeding-9-billion-people-by-the-year-2050-greeley- producers-students-and-educators-feel-the-pressure/#

The curriculums of schools in rural areas of the US have encouraged children to pursue careers at the intersection of agriculture and technology because there will be a large burden on American enterprises and farms to feed the help approximate 9 billion people in the world in 2050. The goal is to start developing technology in the US now in order to reduce future stress on production capabilities. Some current technologies include indoor and vertical farms that increase efficiency and lengthen growing seasons, but many more developments will need to be implemented to truly tackle such an immense challenge.

Schools focusing so much on innovation seems to be a necessity for a world that will need to discover solutions to feed two billion additional people in just thirty-five years. The US, which has often been at the forefront agricultural invention, will have to take a role as a leader in the decades to come. Increasing yield has always been a priority for farmers, however this level of increase is unprecedented, and increasing yield sustainably is a major environmental challenge.

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America’s First All-Renewable-Energy City

Woodard, B. C. (2016, November 17). America’s First All-Renewable-Energy City. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/11/burlington- what-works-green-energy-214463

Recently, Burlington Vermont (population 42,000) has become the first city to be run on entirely renewable energy sources: Power from hydroelectric dams, solar panels, wind farms, and local, sustainably harvested timber. This was a brainchild of former Bernie Sanders and other legislators who wanted to reinforce local economic and environmental sustainability. In addition a number of organizations have worked to reestablish the local, non-industrial farm by reclaiming agricultural land and working with local farmers.

With an expanding population of the US and increasing demand for energy generation, Burlington can serve as a template for how cities can become sustainable and self sufficient. The success of Burlington could indicate future successes elsewhere through the country. Though some communities’ economies are based on dirty energy industries (see post about article by Lambert,) optimistically, these jobs can shift to create and improve sustainable energy infrastructure like the dams, wind turbines, and wood-chip based McNail power plant in Burlington Vt.

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Across rural America, energy bust fuels economic uncertainty

Lambert, E. (2016, November 5). Across rural America, energy bust fuels economic uncertainty. Retrieved November 20, 2016, from http://www.pri.org/stories/2016-11-05/ across-rural-america-energy-bust-fuels-economic-uncertainty

According to Public Radio International, one of the major concerns of people in more agricultural, and rural portions of America is the oil, coal, and gas industries. These industries employ many people in states like Wyoming, however they are currently suffering due to regulations implemented by the Obama administration. Many who life in rural America believe that the future of the local economies could be improved by the next president by deregulating the energy sector possibly at the expense of environmental wellbeing.

As the population of the US grows, so does energy demand, and currently this mostly comes from coal, oil, and gas. In January, when all three branches of government are controlled by republicans, Obama’s regulations will most likely be overturned, the energy sector will continue to grow, and middle-American economies will grow in the short term. However, this deregulation combined with a growing population will result in augmented corporate exploitation of natural resources for profit.

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How Water Use Has Declined With Population Growth

Nagappan, P. (2016, November 08). How Water Use Has Declined With Population Growth. Retrieved November 19, 2016, from https://www.newsdeeply.com/water/articles/ 2016/11/08/how-water-use-has-declined-with-population-growth

From 1980 to 2010, even with a steadily growing population, water consumption in the US has dropped significantly: From 440 billion gallons per day to 350 billion gallons. This a result of new irrigation methods, domestic appliances, and other technologies that have drastically cut water usage. Public engagement in cities like San Francisco and progressive environmental measures from the government like the Clean Water Act seem to be the catalysts for this effective massive conservation effort.

Even though population does put strains on many of the world’s natural resources, technology that curbs water consumption in the US seems to be a bright spot for the environmental community. An increasing population in the last few decades encouraged lawmakers to push agendas that allowed for the conservation of one of the world’s most valuable resources, and hopefully these issues can be addressed in similar ways in other parts of the world as well.