Author: mahoy

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California’s push to save workers from climbing temperatures

Barry-Jester, A. M. (2019, July 16). As temperatures climb in California and nationwide, a new push aims to keep workers safe. Retrieved from https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/health-and-medicine/article232756717.html

 

In 2005, after 10 laborers in the state died from heat-related stress and sickness, California adopted legislation requiring rest, water, and shade for outdoor workers. Now, as temperatures continue to rise across the country, many states are turning to California as an example of a safe way to prevent thousands of injuries each year. Currently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and health, part of the CDC, has “recommendations for addressing workplace heat stress — but no mechanism for enforcement” which leaves the health and safety of laborers throughout the country in the hands of local or state governments. In just the past decade, 350 workers have died from a “heat-related illness”, and tens of thousands have missed at least one day of work because of symptoms. 

 

This article saddens me because it is a small glimpse into a world destroyed by climate change. Temperatures will become too extreme, air quality will become too poor, and laws will need to be passed at all levels of government in order to protect the health of laborers indoors and outdoors. I am proud of California, once again, that they are leading the pack in not only protecting wildlife from the effects of global warming but citizens as well. One of the overlooked consequences of climate change is the physical suffering it causes for human beings, besides destroying landscapes and killing animals. 

 

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California’s take on E-Scooter regulations

(2019, July 2). California, Other States Take on E-Scooter Regulations. Retrieved from https://www.govtech.com/transportation/California-Other-States-Take-on-E-Scooter-Regulations.html

State law is currently under development in California which would allow for cities to regulate the use of electric scooters and bikes as long as they can justify it under the California Environmental Quality Act. This new bill, AB 1112, stands in stark contrast to earlier versions in which cities could not adopt any strict policies that would act as a ban. It would also allow cities to manage the number of fleets, charging fees, and equal distribution of the scooters across neighborhoods. 

 

I like that more and more cities are offering energy-efficient ways of transportation, such as scooters and e-bikes. However, these modes of transportation, while greener, can be unsafe and disruptive in many places so I appreciate some regulation on behalf of local governments to determine what levels of scooter and bike traffic is necessary for their community. Cities vary in size and accessibility so it is important that there are accommodations made for each city, in particular, to make clean transportation efficient and safe. Each town or city can take steps to protect the environment in a manner that fits the unique characteristics of their community. 

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Car companies’ surprising deal with California on environmental rules

Irfan, U. (2019, July 30). Car companies’ surprising deal with California on environmental rules, explained. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/2019/7/30/20729080/ford-vw-honda-bmw-california-epa-carb-fuel-economy

 

Under the Trump Administration, the federal Environmental Protection Agency has been working to weaken regulations on car emissions all over the country. However, in a surprise twist, four large automobile corporations, BMW, Ford, Volkswagon, and Honda have all struck a deal with California state officials to increase the vehicle fuel economy in their cars. In order to meet these efficiency standards, the four car companies would have to average 51 MPH across all vehicles by 2026, but the new deal allows them to meet it through others means, such as selling more electric and hybrid cars. One of the greatest consequences of this deal is the “ripple effect” as “the cars built to the more stringent California standard can also be sold throughout the rest of the country” inspiring many others to pursue clean living and consider greener forms of transportation. 

 

Being one of the largest consumers of cars, California has a responsibility, and the leverage, to regulate how these vehicles are being sold.  It is good that they are using their unique position to advocate for this, and these regulations should encourage other state governments to do the same. There is a predicted 2 million new cars and trucks sold this year in California, demonstrating that being environmentally friendly isn’t always economically unsafe. By working with large corporations, this deal shows that we don’t have to sacrifice the environment for a successful business, and vice versa. 

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California is winning nearly all its environmental cases against Trump Administration

(2019, May 7). In California vs. Trump, the state is winning nearly all its environmental cases. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-california-trump-environmental-lawsuits-20190507-story.html

 

Since the beginning of the Trump administration, the state of California has been at the forefront of legal battles to oppose policies targeted at dismantling Obama era environmental protections. So far the state has won 15 cases, including five in which the administration backed out before the case was ruled on. California’s legal experts argue that the Trump Administration’s early defeats in court have come about for many reasons, most notably “moving too quickly to change regulations, ignoring procedural rules and failing to present evidence to support its position”. Cases in just the months of April and March have helped preserve a ban on a harmful pesticide and limitations on oil gathered from tribal land, proving that the work California is putting in federal court is wide-ranging and paying off. 

 

This article demonstrates to me how important statewide elections are when it comes to protecting the environment. Often times, people will focus on federal officials but forget to elect state representatives who will provide a check on legislators in Washington and create policy in their state that has a greater impact on their constituents than some created by Federal Representatives. It also shows that protecting the environment can be achieved in a bunch of different ways; whether you organize a beach clean up for your school or challenge a corrupt law in court. I am proud of my state officials for standing up to the Trump Administration’s attempts to create profit for large corporations at the cost of a clean environment, and I hope it inspires more environmental battles all over the country. 

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Homeless Shelter Opponents are using Environmental Law in a bid to block new Housing

(2019, May 15). Homeless shelter opponents are using this environmental law in bid to block new housing. Retrieved from https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-ceqa-homeless-shelter-20190515-story.html

 

Signed into law by Governor Reagan, CEQA, or the California Environmental Quality Act, requires developers to be transparent in the environmental consequences of their project and to take steps to lessen or eliminate them. It has been credited for preserving and protecting much of California’s natural beauty, but now conflict has arisen over appropriate applications of the protection. Activists in San Francisco and Venice, California are hoping to file a suit under the law in order to prevent the construction of a homeless shelter in their neighborhood. These activists argue that an environment is more than the living things in the neighborhood and that the law “…rightly considers social and health concerns as part of its broad environmental mandate” under the ‘E’ of CEQA. 

 

While I think that the activists fear of the homeless shelter is irrational and unfairly rooted in stereotypes, I agree that social and health concerns are rightly considered under the “environmental” part of the California Environmental Quality Act. An environment includes the interaction of it’s living and nonliving parts, so how humans interact with buildings, business, shelters, and people is an important part of their environment. However, there are homeless people throughout San Francisco and Venice, so I believe the construction of a shelter wouldn’t bring more homelessness into the community, but provide a safe place for many people without a home, improving the environment.