Santa Maria Times Staff Report. (2022, January 17). Santa Maria Regional Transit offers free 31-day bus pass for teens. Santa Maria Times. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://santamariatimes.com/news/local/santa-maria-regional-transit-offers-free-31-day-bus-pass-for-teens/article_33d84898-c0d8-51c2-bea8-d66bc6a4cc65.html

This article is about student action in Santa Maria, where students requested bus passes be made available for free for students that qualify for federal free and reduced-price lunch. These bus passes are free and last for 31 days and are accessed by students in grades 7 through 12. The passes are funded by the California Department of Transportation. 

This article relates to environmental science in that students will now be less likely to be driven to school, and instead use public transportation that’s already being driven. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their transportation to school. I think that this measure is great and should also be implemented in our community as well as it will increase equity for all students. Getting to school should not be a barrier for being able to succeed in school.

NEWS RELEASE: High-Speed Rail Board Clears Final Environmental Hurdles to Advance Service into LA. (2022, January 21). California High Speed Rail. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://hsr.ca.gov/2022/01/20/news-release-high-speed-rail-board-clears-final-environmental-hurdles-to-advance-service-into-la/

This article is about the recent approval of the final leg of the proposed high speed rail train from S.F. to L.A., which means that the project is very close to being started. The final leg is from Burbank to Los Angeles and will follow existing rail to minimize construction needed. The high speed rail system will be the first of its kind in the US. The project is expected to not disrupt the environment very much. 

This article relates to environmental science in that the approval was for the environmental impact of the train and the effects that the train will have itself. The train will reduce emissions because less people will drive from S.F. to L.A., also reducing smog in the Los Angeles area. It will also decrease congestion on the I-5, leading to more efficient driving, reducing emissions further. I think that this rail will do great things for California and Californians as mentioned before. It was a difficult project to get approved because of its revolutionary nature and revolutionary impact.

Mays, M. (2022, February 3). California could provide school buses for all kids under bill. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-02-03/california-students-more-school-buses-legislation

This article is about the lack of busing in California school districts and that a new bill could mandate buses be provided for students. Students are much more likely to graduate when they have access to a ride to school, and many districts cannot afford buses or cannot find drivers. This leaves many students behind because they’re parents have to work instead of driving them to and from school. The article states that 68% of students are driven to school by a parent. 

This article relates to environmental science because buses are much more environmentally friendly than individual cars driving their kids to school. Because buses carry so many kids, the higher greenhouse gas emissions from their diesel engines is worth it in terms of carbon. Implementing green buses in schools that are mandatory would get rid of dirty diesel engines while also reducing the number of students who get rides from their parents to school, reducing the cars on the road, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. I think that this measure should have been proposed long ago, but it’s great that it’s happening at all.

Kolodny, L. (2022, January 11). California’s blueprint budget has $6.1 billion for electric vehicle initiatives. CNBC. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/10/california-proposes-6point1-billion-in-new-incentives-for-electric-vehicles-.html

The article outlines more parts of the $286.4 billion budget that included the $4.2 billion for the high speed rail build, highlighting spending on EV development and other electrification measures. 50% of California’s greenhouse gas emissions are from transportation, so this investment makes a massive difference in lowering California’s overall emissions. The article also mentioned the complete ban on selling new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. It also noted that California has a large supply of lithium, needed for construction of EV batteries and that California has a budget surplus of $45 billion, which Newsome plans to pay some back to taxpayers.

This article relates to environmental science in that it’s policy that works towards lowering greenhouse gas and environmental impacts from the transportation industry in California. I think that investment in EVs is extremely important and one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But, I think that moving away from natural gas as our main power source in California is more important, because an EV using power from natural gas is not really helping with greenhouse gas emissions. I commend Newsom for spending so much on renewable investments, but I’m not 100% confident that the money will be spent efficiently.

Kamisher, E. (2022, January 14). Gov. Newsom doubles down on high-speed rail funding, pledges $4.2 billion to finish Central Valley segment. The Mercury News. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01/13/newsom-doubles-down-on-high-speed-rail-funding-zero-emission-vehicles-in-latest-budget-proposal/

This article is about Governor Gavin Newsom’s new proposal to put $4.2 billion dollars into finishing a section of the proposed high speed rail from San Francisco to L.A. in the central valley. Many politicians do not believe that the project will be finished because of past delays. Also, they are concerned that it’s not serving the people it should because it’s in more sparsely populated areas that don’t connect to their population areas. Still others are concerned about financing the project, because bond money is starting to run a little dry. But, a scientist from UC Berkeley said that the project should continue because it’s a necessary part of the rail that will eventually connect S.F. and L.A., which would be great for the environment as people use the rail instead of driving.

This article is related to environmental science because the development of the transit sector through increasing public transportation decreases car use, which decreases overall greenhouse gas emissions, and allows for less road infrastructure, making more space for ecosystems. I think that this rail, once finished, will be a massive boost to Californians’ wellbeing and the economy. Traveling to and from S.F. and L.A. in under 3 hours without flying will allow much more connection between the two cities, if tickets are cheap enough and the trains reliable enough. For example, students could visit places on the other side of the state during field trips with ease compared to the logistics and costs of flight.

Rubin, S. (2021, August 20). On Board: Why The New MBTA Board Benefits Riders And The Environment. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.wgbh.org/news/commentary/2021/08/20/on-board-why-the-new-mbta-board-benefits-riders-and-the-environment

This article announces the creation of a new board to oversee the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority). This board is made up of seven members and is required to have at least one member represent an environmental justice population. This board is permanent and will oversee transitioning away from diesel and compressed natural gas and towards more sustainable fuel options for subways and buses. Their goal is to create a transit system that works for everyone who needs it while being sustainable. 

This article is related to environmental science in that the T (the Boston public transportation system) causes lots of pollution in the form of greenhouse gas emissions as well as noise pollution. I believe that the implementation of this new permanent board can go two ways, depending on whether it accurately represents the riders of the T. If the board is representative, then actual issues will hopefully be fixed which will improve the experience of all riders. This incentivises people to take the T instead of driving which will decrease greenhouse gas emissions. If the board is not representative, then non-issues will be focused on while glaring issues will be ignored, disincentivizing people from taking the T, which would increase driving, increasing fossil fuel emissions. Regarding noise pollution, it affects animals living in cities such as birds who are confused by the noise. Reducing this might help sustain urban populations of animals.

Gupta, K. (2021, July 29). Center for Transportation and the Environment wins grant to deploy 30 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks in Northern California. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.dailycal.org/2021/07/28/center-for-transportation-and-the-environment-wins-grant-to-deploy-30-hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric-trucks-in-northern-california/

This article explains that the Center for Transportation and the Environment in Oakland received a grant to deploy 30 hydrogen fuel cell powered trucks in Northern California. The author quotes a director of the Center for Transportation and the Environment, saying that the trucks will have a very direct environmental impact because they will replace the previously used diesel trucks which are very bad for air quality and the environment. The article also mentions that there are plans to build a hydrogen fueling station later on down the line.

This article is connected to environmental science in that it is about a greenhouse gas reducing measure. I believe that the implementation of 30 fuel cell trucks will not actually do very much to limit fossil fuels and that this is just a test run to see if fuel cell trucks are feasible. The infrastructure to implement fuel cell cars and trucks more widespreadly is just not here yet so that is why the fleet is only limited to 30 trucks. This could just be a PR move to appease critics of trucking companies, while avoiding doing the actual work of carbon offsets. Thirty trucks will not actually do anything in the long run if it is not an example for others to do the same.

Duncan, I. (2021, July 29). Here’s how the bipartisan infrastructure deal would invest $280 billion in transportation. Retrieved August 23, 2021, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/07/28/transportation-spending-bipartisan-infrastructure-deal/

This article outlines the main points of a new infrastructure deal that is making its way through Congress currently. The deal allocated a massive budget for transportation and infrastructure across the country in many different sects. While most money is going to roads and bridges, some is going to improving and building new public transit including high speed rail and improving airports and pedestrian and cyclist safety. The money is set up to where it is accessible to grant writers. 

This article is relevant to environmental science in that transportation is one of the largest contributors to the rising greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere and the improvement of infrastructure can mean an increase and decrease in emissions. If public transportation is increased to the point where more people start to make use of it, then there will be less cars on the road, decreasing emissions. If more money goes towards making roads safer, wider, and faster, then emissions could increase due to more drivers on the road. I think that the deal has allocated enough money to public transit and the building of new high speed rail to have a net negative impact on emission which means that the deal overall will be positive towards climate. I also think that the limitations of Congress mean that more environmentally beneficial aspects of the deal will have to be taken out to ensure that it passes. For example, 52% of house Republicans are climate deniers. 

Berg, B. (2021, August 20). Airlines commit to reducing carbon emissions, but challenges stand in the way. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2021/08/20/airlines-carbon-emissions/

This article highlights the efforts and claims that airlines are making about their goals to reach net-zero carbon by specific dates. The article focuses on the diverse efforts that airlines are making to reach their goals. They mention carbon offsets, investment in sustainable fuel options, and carbon uptake facilities. These methods are important because the aviation industry makes up 3.5% of carbon released into the atmosphere annually. The article also mentions that airlines have called on the federal government to support policy that would help their green cause.

This article is clearly related to environmental science in that it deals directly with the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and the efforts of corporations to reach net-zero emissions. Airlines have been affecting the environment through the release of greenhouse gases for decades and are now looking to undo their impact on the environment. I think that this article is focused on holding airlines accountable by keeping them to the net-zero standard by finding alternatives to traditional fossil fuel. Although this may seem like the most obviously sustainable way to do it, I believe that offsets are more important and economically viable. Investment in new technology discovery is risky and expensive while offsets are available to do today. If policy was implemented to require offsets by taxing carbon emission over a threshold (like how factory emissions that cause acid rain were taxed), it would force companies to engage in offsets while they figure out how to enact sustainability in other areas. 

Angie Thorne, Beauregard Daily News. (2021, August 21). Mass transportation: Letting someone else take wheel. Retrieved August 22, 2021, from https://eu.beauregarddailynews.net/story/news/2021/08/21/mass-transportation-letting-someone-else-take-wheel/8186123002/

This article is about a program called the Mass Transportation Benefit Program happening in Fort Polk, Louisiana. The program is for employees of the Department of Defense and entails carpooling groups that take employees to work. There are testimonials from riders on the carpools spouting its benefits to the employees and the environment. They also testify that it is safe from COVID-19 because all riders are required to wear masks while inside of a vehicle.

This article is related to environmental science in that carpooling is a surefire way everyday civilians can reduce their carbon footprint in the absence of good public transportation. The article recognizes that less cars on the road increases air quality and reduces carbon emissions. Although this is on a small scale, it does help decrease the rider’s carbon footprint, especially if they do the program consistently. I found it strange that the Department of Defense pays the members of the program $270 more every month for taking part in the program. That incentive seemed very high from my point of view. I believe that programs like these are a great way that people can make a difference in their own lives, although it is not the most effective solution. This program is in a pretty small town so it is unlikely that they have good, if any, public transportation, so this is a good way to approximate the benefits of it.