The Palisades and Eaton fires have left Los Angeles with a large amount of damage, both to the community and the environment. It has killed 22 people and burned 5,600 structures, leaving many houses covered with ash and debris. The cleanup process has started to try and clean up all of this debris, however there are setbacks. Workers cleaning up the destruction face dangers like toxic gases, structurally unstable buildings, and many chemicals and ash that could cause damage if inhaled. Many of these workers are immigrants who lost their jobs, desperate for work. They are often untrained and not equipped for these dangers, leaving them even more at risk for these dangerous health effects. This has pushed lawmakers to enforce stricter regulations to protect the workers from working in evacuation sites. 

This article explains the destruction from natural disasters like wildfires, and how this effects the communities and people living in these areas. This directly connects to environmental science, because wildfires are caused by environmental factors. For example, past fire suppression can make forests or areas with open fields more susceptible to wildfires. Wildfires can also become more common with global warming. As Earth’s temperatures increase, places like California that already have dry land can become even drier. This can then lead to fires being spread more easily and quickly because of the drier grass. This article does a great job showing the damaging effects of some of these longterm topics we are learning about in class, like global warming and climate change. I learned more about the behind-the-scenes complications surrounding the LA fires and found out that cleanup is a complicated and dangerous process. I now want to help advocate for these workers, so they are protected from working in dangerous ash-covered areas. 

Kuang, Jeanne, and Alejandra Reyes-Velarde. “As Workers Tackle the Dangerous Job of Cleaning up after the LA Fires, Can the State Keep Them Safe?” CalMatters, 17 Jan. 2025, calmatters.org/environment/wildfires/2025/01/la-fires-worker-cleanup-safety/. 

BBJ Group. (2024). The new normal of sea-level induced groundwater rise: Regulatory implications. BBJ Group. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from https://www.bbjgroup.com/blog/the-new-normal-of-sea-level-induced-groundwater-rise-regulatory-implications

This article reports on a recently released report from the California EPA, Department of Toxic Substances Control (CalEPA-DTSC) entitled, “Sea Level Rise Guidance to DTSC Project Managers for Cleanup Activities.” The document published its assessment of groundwater vulnerability at contaminated sites. The document recommends determining whether groundwater rise, storm drains, saltwater intrusion, or contaminated mobilization cause a health threat to the public. The document acknowledges the growing risk of groundwater contamination and understands the need to make a significant investment to protect public health but does not have a concrete plan to remedy or contain the contaminants once the groundwater rise affects a site. 

At the beginning of the article, the author notes: “the document was several years in the making andnwas finally published after the Agency reviewed and considered hundreds of public comments.” I found it interesting that in several years, they only produced a report that stated that in fact there is an immediate threat of groundwater contamination but did not propose any clean-up solutions to remedy or protect people from the contamination. Given that California boasts about being a leader in environmental regulations and action, it raises concern that it takes years to produce a report that proves there is groundwater contamination but does not propose any action. Shouldn’t these agencies work in parallel with their findings, if there is a problem a proposed solution should also be presented. 

Lazo, A., & Bland, A. (2024, December 31). Gas prices and water fights: A look back at California’s environment in 2024. CalMatters. https://laist.com/brief/news/climate-environment/angeles-national-forest-reopening

This article discusses why parts of the Angeles National Forest remain closed. In an effort to allow the land to heal and the ecosystem to recover after last year’s Bridge fire and this year’s Eaton fire the national forest remains closed to allow the seedlings to grow. This is also for the safety of the visitors who may step on unstable ground where even the root system was burned leaving soil susceptible to land and rock slides. An aspect of the post-fire environmental clean-up is to allow the land to regrow.

This article is a great example of secondary succession and how the process is essential to the environmental recovery post-fire. This article did cause me to think if other interventions could be initiated to aid the environment’s recovery. Such efforts could include reseeding, wildlife rehabilitation, and soil erosion and retention. 

Mehta, Seema, et al. “Newsom Suspends Environmental Rules to Ease Post-Fire Rebuilding.” Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2025, www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-12/newsom-suspends-landmark-environmental-regulations-palisades-altadena-fires.

This article explains Governor Newsom’s decision to suspend some key California environmental laws, the Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act, for those whose homes were destroyed in the LA fires. The suspension will allow those affected to rebuild their homes more quickly. Developers will be granted permits without having to undergo the lengthy review process required by these two laws. The waiver will shave years off the rebuilding process. The CEQA was enacted in 1970 and has been a controversial act for many years. Developers and critics argue that the act delays projects and adds unnecessary costs.

This article made me very curious about the bureaucracy of these acts. While the laws are in place to protect California’s environment, they can easily be suspended for an area that has serious environmental concerns. This article led me to think that these laws need to be reviewed for effectiveness and practicality. A complete suspension will discredit the effectiveness of these laws and regulations. Governor Newsom should review the laws to streamline the process and add an emergency clause to expedite approvals in such cases with the LA fires rather than a complete suspension. 

Brown, J. (2024, September 19). Nearly 40 years and 27 million pounds of trash later, here’s how California Coastal Cleanup Day has evolved. Palo Alto Online. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.paloaltoonline.com/environment/2024/09/19/nearly-40-years-and-27-million-pounds-of-trash-later-heres-how-california-coastal-cleanup-day-has-evolved

This article was written in advance of the 40th anniversary of the annual California Coastal Cleanup Day, which has grown from 1,500 to an expected 50,000 participants. Over the years participants have collected more than 27 million pounds of trash. According to program manager, Eben Schwartz, the environmental stewardship has led to year-round clean-ups (Pacific Beach Cleanups, a nonprofit that holds regular cleanups) which has attributed to the drop in the average pounds of trash picked up per person from 18 pounds in 2004 and 8.2 last year. The Clean-up days have helped develop habits and environmental stewardship and have helped shape policy. Such policies like the grocery bag ordinance have helped reduce the plastic bags picked up at the clean-ups. Cigarettes continue to be the most collected litter.

This article is important for understanding the power of education, advocacy, and action. From a single event, several non-profit organizations have established regular clean-up efforts. People have a thirst for knowledge and want to take action to clean up our environment. This article and having taken part in a Pacific Beach Clean-up do make me think that more can be done at the state and local levels. If it were easier to dispose of and recycle trash, people may be less inclined to litter. 

The Guardian. (2025, January 17). California homes face post-fire risks from toxic waste and mudslides. Retrieved January 24, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/17/california-homes-fire-toxic-mudslides

This Guardian article by Bagenstose discusses the toxic exposure that Los Angeles residents face as they return to their burned-down homes. Highlighting that besides the ash and smoke exposure, which poses harmful effects, people will not be exposed to hazardous materials like lead, battery acid, and carcinogens found in plastics. The article cautions people returning to their homes that they should wear protective goggles, an N-95 mask and gloves at a minimum. A Tyvek suit was recommended as ideal. In an effort to assess clean-up the EPA and the local fire department will be visiting each burn site.

This article is crucial to help the victims of the LA fires understand the environmental and health dangers of sifting through the remains of their burned homes. While they can see the devasting effects of the fire, this article presents the potential of the invisible effects that loom if they expose themselves to the ash and hazardous chemicals that linger in the ash and debris. 

Buckley, Cara. “After Shutting Down, These Golf Courses Went Wild.” The New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/02/15/climate/golf-courses-conservation-nature.html. Accessed 1 May 2024.

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This article discusses the transformation of defunct golf courses, like the San Geronimo Golf Course in California, into ecological preserves and parks. Rather than being developed, some former courses are being bought by land trusts, municipalities, and nonprofit groups and transformed into nature preserves, parks, and wetlands. Among them are sites in Detroit, Pennsylvania, Colorado, the Finger Lakes of upstate New York, and at least four in California. The aim is to support wildlife and restore natural habitats. These projects benefit endangered species, reduce environmental impacts, and provide public recreational spaces. While the process faces challenges, including legal disputes and restoration costs, the movement is growing, with more golf courses being converted into nature preserves, offering significant environmental and community benefits.

My opinion is that if a golf course is non-operational it should be returned to support wildlife. A benefit is the reduction in pesticides and rodenticides that are used routinely on golf course. The restoration of the San Geronimo land is still underway but it was exciting to learn that floodplains will be reconnected, and a fish barrier has been removed, allowing access to more robust migratory and breeding grounds for endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout. I was pleased to learn that golf courses are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact by using less water, growing pollinator-friendly plants, and decreasing pesticides and fertilizer use. I was astonished to learn there are roughly 16,000 American golf courses, more than Mcdonalds’ locations in the U.S. that use 1.5 billion gallons of water a day, according to the United States Golf Association, and are collectively treated with 100,000 tons of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium a year. Golf courses are beautiful and I love the game but the courses come at a cost.

Eavis, P. (2024, May 23). Norfolk Southern to pay $310 million for East Palestine accident. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/business/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-settlement.html

The article details a significant settlement reached by Norfolk Southern following a February 2023 derailment of a freight train carrying hazardous materials in East Palestine, Ohio. Norfolk Southern has agreed to pay $310 million to address claims and cover costs associated with the environmental damage caused by the accident. This settlement includes $235 million allocated for cleanup and restoration efforts under the Superfund law and the Clean Water Act, ensuring that Norfolk Southern is held accountable for remediating the contamination and monitoring long-term health impacts. Additionally, the settlement mandates improvements in rail safety to prevent similar incidents in the future. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to restore the affected environment and safeguard public health in the region.

My opinion is that Nortfolk Southern was responsible for the derailment and the release of the hazardous material and should be held liable for cost, damage, and clean-up. I feel they should also be responsible for any medical bills related to this occurrence. It was surprising to learn that Norfolf Southern would spend $25 million over the course of 20 years under the settlement on a community health program, the bulk of which will be spent on medical monitoring, however, the program will not cover the cost of treatments due to hazardous material exposure. If the company is responsible for monitoring health effects it should also be responsible for the cost of treatment.

Brown, E. A. (2024, July 15). What’s Greenest and Cleanest When Nature Calls? The New York https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/15/climate/toilet-paper-bidet-environment.html

Brown’s article explores the environmental impact of conventional toilet paper which is often sourced from old-growth forests, harms biodiversity, requires significant water consumption (6 gallons of water per double roll), and contributes to climate change. The article examines alternatives like recycled paper, bamboo, and bidets. While recycled paper is a more sustainable option, using fewer resources (½ the water, 37% less energy, and 70% fewer greenhouse gases) with the decreased use of certain paper products the recycled supply is dwindling. Bamboo offers a promising substitute but its environmental benefits depend on responsible sourcing. Bidets, which use less water than producing tp, are also recommended to reduce environmental footprint. The article emphasizes the importance of choosing sustainable options.

This article caused me to think about the amount of TP used in our household. I was shocked to learn that a double roll of tp takes 6 gallons of water to make and the average amount of tp per wipe requires ¼ gallons of water. Water is a valuable resource and we need to conserve it. When data like this is examined it exposes the environmental harm we are causing day to day. It was encouraging to hear that our printing and writing paper consumption has decreased by 50%. While this does not help with the production of recycled TP resources it does prove that impacts can be made to reduce deforestation. 

Davenport, C. (2024, June 29). A String of Supreme Court Decisions Hits Hard at Environmental Rules. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/29/climate/supreme-court-epa.html?searchResultPosition=11

Recent decisions by the conservative Supreme Court have reduced the power of the Environmental Protection Agency, specifically the EPAs authority to regulate greenhouse gases produced by power plants. The Supreme Court overruled the Chevron deference, a doctrine established in the 1984 that required courts to defer to federal agencies’ reasonable interpretations of ambiguous laws. This decision now empowers the courts to scrutinize federal regulations. In another of the Supreme Court rulings, they blocked the EPA’s “Good Neighbor Plan” which aims to control smog pollution. The Courts decisions represent a victory industrial polluters and a loss for the environment that will lead to increased air and water pollution and have negative health impacts.

While this article underlines that the Supreme Court is limiting the EPA’s power there are other issues that need to be addressed and balanced to address our environmental issues. There is concern that agencies like the EPA which do not have elected officials are making decisions that impact farming, fishing and small businesses, Congress should be tasked with creating fair and balanced regulations. Another issue that surprised me was that legislation is outdated the two major acts, the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts were created more than 50 years ago and do not represent our current environment.