Weisbrod, K. (2022, October 12). California passed a landmark law about plastic pollution. Why are some environmentalists still concerned? Inside Climate News. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://insideclimatenews.org/news/12102022/california-plastics-pollution-bill/  

Governor Newsome signed into law the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, which has divided Californian environmentalists. The law itself entails that companies must change their packaging to be either, “recyclable or compostable by 2032.” On one hand, some believe that this is a great step in limiting California’s plastic waste. On the other hand, many believe that this law gives too much power to the companies by making them able to not entirely shift to recyclable and compostable packaging, as long as they advertise that it is.

I believe that Newsom has the right intent in establishing this bill, but I agree with the majority of environmentalists who believe that this type of regulation isn’t effective enough. In this day and age, words matter. If companies have complete control over their packaging process, they can easily lie to the public and claim that their packaging is sustainable when in reality only 10% of it is. In order to become strict with sustainable packaging, more surveillance and assurance must b e made so not only the public trusts the companies, but also that the companies actually make a difference.

The Regulatory Review. (2022, November 28). Big oil fights new environmental law in California. The Regulatory Review. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.theregreview.org/2022/11/30/khodor-big-oil-fights-new-environmental-law-in-california/ 

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared that oil and gas companies are not allowed to build new gas wells within 3,2000 feet of residential areas. This decision has come out due to the amount of air pollutants studied that have been, “linked [to] cancer, asthma, and other long-term health defects to living near wells.” In order to maintain operations, the oil and gas industry has proposed a referendum to the new law to allow wells to be built in order to protect local sourcing of fossil fuels. Funds have already been raised by these companies that exceed the millions, yet multiple campaigns have indicated that the people prefer Newsom’s pro-health anti-well stance.

The cost of creating gas wells and extracting natural gas causes more harm than good. Even if we are extracting local fossil fuels instead of depending on foreign imports, the health risks associated with it will mean that less people can even enjoy the resources obtained. Regulation like Newsom’s can only go so far when referendums are proposed and loopholes are found. Instead, I believe that more energy should be placed to find and capture renewable energy sources that are clean for both the environment and human health. 

Lewis, R. (2023, January 25). California Toxics: Out of state, out of mind. CalMatters. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://calmatters.org/environment/2023/01/california-toxic-waste-dumped-arizona-utah/  

California has been dumping toxic waste into other states, refusing to reform their clean up regulations. The particles that have been shipped over border lines include “asbestos, treated wood and auto shredder detritus,” as well as, “contaminated soil with […] DDT.” The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is ironically the state’s biggest dumper and is responsible for the tons and tons of toxic waste being dumped. The decision to do so is approved by Governor Newsom and is primarily driven by the cost-effectiveness of not having to sort out or efficiently recycle the materials.

Even Though California is one of the most environmentally conscious states, it ironically is also one of the biggest producers of toxic waste. Without adequate regulations and laws regarding waste management, it continues to produce and produce materials and goods with disregard of hazardous byproducts that negatively impact the environment. All because cost effectiveness is valued at a greater cost than environmental sustainability, care for California’s ecosystem goes out the window. I believe that Newsom needs to utilize his same passion for cost-effective energy sourcing into cost-effective and environmentally sustainable waste management.

Associated Press. (2022, August 12). California governor proposes extending Nuclear Plant’s Life. Associated Press. Retrieved January 30, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-08-12/nuke-or-no-nuke-california-officials-ponder-nuclear-future  

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared that the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant will remain open for an extended 5-10 years past its 2025 expiration date. Governor Newsom claims that it is in the best interest of both southern and northern Californian’s as the plant produces, “9% of the state’s electricity.” Environmentalists such as Ralph Cavanagh claim that the move goes against the California Environmental Quality Act and other 2016 environmental decisions made in the wake of imminent climate change effects. 

Nuclear energy is one of the great options of clean energy sourcing. Its reaction of splitting atoms via fission to produce energy aids many in receiving efficient energy. To completely deprive a state of what makes up almost 10% of its energy sourcing would mean both an economic and also political disaster. I think that it is excellent that Newsom is extending Diablo Canyon’s lifespan, but I also think that he should invest more time and money creating more renewable energy sources instead.

University of California – Davis. (2022, August 5). Air pollution, including during wildfires, shows ill effects in children: Markers for inflammation, cardiac regulation. ScienceDaily. Retrieved January 29, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220805091228.htm 

Children in Sacramento have been studied for inflammation regarding air pollutants. This inflammation has been linked to exposure of excessive wildfires in California due to climate change. In accordance to UC Davis researchers, “As climate change continues to impact children and families, it is paramount to understand the impact of environmental contaminants such as air pollution on children’s physiology.” These researchers claim that in the upcoming decades, if children are still exposed to this type of prevalence of wildfires, they could develop detrimental and lifelong diseases along the lines of cardiac anomalies or neurodevelopmental disorders. Long-term research has not been conducted yet, but it is expected that more and more kids will suffer the effects of rapid climate change, due to the lack of control and regulation put in place to limit its spread and effect on wildfires.

I think that it is absolutely necessary to create environmental regulation when it comes to protecting children. The negative effects of climate change doesn’t just affect our environment, but also our people. This is evident in the fact that children are suffering respiratory, cardiac, and neurological damage to something that can be minimized via human intervention. With the data provided in this study, I believe that more change will be made in terms of regulating notorious California wildfires. These wildfires are extended and more prevalent due to climate change, as it perpetuates hot weather and dry brush–a perfect mix for fires to thrive in. If more regulation was made to both prevent climate change from occurring and wildfires from spreading, children would not be affected as much.

Tollefson, J. (2022, June 30). US Supreme Court hobbles the EPA’s authority over Climate Emissions. Nature News. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01796-8  

The Biden Administration’s promise of harsher regulation of climate control was weakened with the new conservative ruling of West Virginia v. The US Environmental Protection Agency. This case determined that regulation of national power industries production of greenhouse gasses should fall under Congress’s control, not the EPA’s. The decision was a direct counter to the 1970 Clean Air Act, in which SCOTUS argued that the act “limits the agency’s regulatory power to the scale of individual power plants.” Thus, the determination and promotion of coal focused energy sources rather than cleaner forms of fuel has sent the climate movement backwards.

As we recognize the need for a more sustainable future, it is imminent that we make immediate federal changes that lobby specifically against privately run pollution contributions. This decision is historical as it solidifies the unjust increased value of financial profit rather than sustainable energy. People must lobby against this SCOTUS decision and demand greater emphasis be placed on reversing damage to our climate rather than encouraging more financially profitable yet less environmentally friendly decisions to pass.

Rozier, A. (2022, July 15). Avenging his cattle’s death, Mississippi farmer discovers a pollution loophole. Mississippi Today. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://mississippitoday.org/2022/07/13/cattle-death-farmer-discovers-pollution-loophole/ 

A farmer in Mississippi named John Nowlin filed a lawsuit against Jimmy Sander, Inc., in 2014, for pollution of chemicals, such as ammonia, which killed his cows and buffalo. Sanders’ company had faced criticism for their history of environmental pollution in the past, but remained adamant that they weren’t responsible for the animals deaths. The Clean Water Act allowed Jimmy Sanders Inc., to pollute waste in fresh bodies of water, like the one located next to Mr. Nowlin’s farm in Ecru, Mississippi. While Sanders’ permit has been altered, the damage of ammonia poisoning has left Mr. Nowlin’s livestock permanently depleted. 

It is crucial in a time where big business puts a higher value of profit and cheapness over care and respect towards the environment, that local agrarians need to step up and have their voices heard. Mr. Nowlin’s complaint hits hard as it’s not a new one, but rather another instance in which big corporations take advantage of local wildscapes and abuse it till it’s sucked dry for profit. We must stand with farmers such as John Nowlin, as their criticism affects all of us. The sustainability of his farm shouldn’t just be defended because it is his mode of income, but also since it affects everyone who now has limited access to tainted and poisoned meat. We must make a collective effort to protest and boycott businesses like John Nowlin and also revise certain bills like the Clean Water Act, as to prevent any other instance of poisoning, maltreatment of animals, and abuse of power to permanently cease.

Associated Press. (2022, August 12). Judge Revives Obama-Era Ban on Coal Sales from Federal Lands. U.S. News. Retrieved August 12, 2022, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2022-08-12/judge-revives-obama-era-ban-on-coal-sales-from-federal-lands.   

A federal U.S. District Court Judge named Brian Morris brought back an old coal management review from the Obama Administration Era in August of 2022. This suspension more specifically requires all coal transactions that occur from federal lands to go through a lengthy environmental review process. This process necessarily regulates coal production as, “some 260 million tons,” are mined from federal lands and then distributed to privately run businesses to be burned and used, further contributing to the greenhouse gas emission crisis. 

As we enter a more climate conscious world, the urgency for immediate federal intervention and regulation towards any coal driven industry is more than ever. This new revival gives us hope that our elected officials still uphold the morals that they were elected to represent, even if that means favoring a less financially lucrative decision. Coal production is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gasses, making it one of the most dangerous and prevalent contributing factors to climate change. Even Though commitments such as the one U.S. District Judge Brian Morris is tough financially speaking, it is crucial to enact in order to move forward with cleaner forms of energy, rather than coal, that can improve our current climate.

Kingdollar, B. L. (2022, July 13). Harvard management company endorses some environmental regulations in SEC letter: News: The Harvard Crimson. News | The Harvard Crimson. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/7/13/hmc-sec-letter/ 

Early during July of 2022, the Harvard Management Company sent the SEC, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commision, a request for all companies that are traded on the stock market to report all climate information about their company. The demand also argues that these reports be released as “Scope 1 and Scope 2” which disclose basic greenhouse gas emissions, compared to “Scope 3” which outlines “indirect emissions”. By withholding only certain parts of information, the HMC undermines their key intention of promoting carbon neutrality by selectively censoring certain crucial information. 

In the era of making more of an effort to maintain ethical consumption of goods, production transparency is more crucial than ever. The HMC’s request demands that all publicly traded companies on the stock market openly state their carbon and greenhouse gas emissions in order to promote public awareness of their contribution in the climate crisis. From a financial perspective, the request also allows prospective investors and traders to more ethically enterprise. Overall, the demand is an excellent first step towards maintaining consumption transparency and promoting more moral forms of energy consumption between investors, the public, and businesses.

Grandoni, D., & Phillips, A. (2022, April 19). Biden restores climate safeguards in key environmental law, reversing Trump. The Washington Post. Retrieved July 17, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2022/04/19/biden-nepa-climate-trump/ 

The new Biden Administration in early April of 2022 decided to more strictly ensure certain climate reviews, specifically regarding infrastructure. This decision contrasts the Trump’s administration’s 2020 exemption of reviewing certain projects in order to quicken construction time. Citing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that, “required the government to assess the environmental consequences of federal actions.” Biden argued that it is crucial that the federal government take the extra effort to regulate and even halt infrastructure projects, such as pipelines or roads, if it means having a less drastic environmental impact.

The oversaturation and value of fast infrastructure development quite literally trumped environmental preservation under the Trump administration. Biden’s plan to more strictly enforce NEPA will allow certain projects, like invasive pipelines, to not be developed at all and in turn ensure the preservation of wildlife, cleaner air, and even local neighborhoods. Encouraging the enforcement of NEPA has already led to further Congressional involvement in more climate control policies, such as prompting historical SCOTUS decisions like West Virginia v. EPA. While the stricter enforcement does mean less public forms of infrastructure, the absence of invasive pipelines and roads are worth the cleaner air.