Discourse for all interested in all things air-quality related
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) News Centre published a news release on Apr. 5, 2013 titled: “World Health Day: Climate and Clean Air Coalition Targets Indoor and Outdoor Air Pollution.” As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I hadn’t a clue how troublesome indoor air pollution is. More on indoor pollution in a bit. Not … Read more
By the time Southern Pacific Railroad railhead reached Fresno in 1874 the area’s agrarian roots already ran deep – they were firmly planted, in other words. Like many Valley communities, both Fresno and its closest neighbor to the north, Madera, grew up around the railroad. Between these two neighbors flows the San Joaquin River. For this reason or that, the two … Read more
A comprehensive examination of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions must be undertaken and completed prior to any decision being made on whether or not U.S. Northwest ports can be set up for coal export to China. This, in effect, is what Gov. John Kitzhaber of Oregon and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee expressed in a … Read more
Today’s thread: Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. Being that on the world stage California contributes a sizable chunk of GHG emissions, I would like to think the state is among an amalgamation of front-lines leaders making progress on the fight against global greenhouse gas emissions. I believe California is and that is good. To understand the magnitude of the Golden … Read more
When queried on environmental matters, many cite polluted air as a problem, responses reflecting that the problem is somewhat serious, serious or very or extremely serious. Now add to this the attention paid the issue at times. Such was the case with the gathering in the nation’s capital on Feb. 17, 2013 of an estimated … Read more
Estimates are America has nearly 250 million vehicles, the bulk of which are fossil-fuel-driven. That’s a lot of cars, buses, motorcycles, trucks, etc. To keep not only these vehicles on the go, but the bevy of stationary internal-combustion-engine-powered motorized machines, too, takes fuel – and lots of it. While it’s no surprise the fuel available for … Read more
To digress a bit here, if there is one item I would have liked to have saved from my entire academic training experience, it would be an extensive report I did as a kid in elementary school. The assignment I agreed to, had to do with producing a compendium of sorts covering the U.S. in which … Read more
There appears to be growing belief, at least among Americans, climate disruption is real. And of Americans who believe, a majority, it seems, feel such is caused by human activity. In “Global Warming Poll: Climate Change A ‘Serious Problem’ To 68% Of Americans,” Huffington Post correspondent Alana Horowitz writes, “Of the 1,000 likely voters surveyed, 68 … Read more
California is leading the field it seems, in getting laws passed to help bring it to a greener, more sustainable state. The frontline lawmakers responsible for getting key greenhouse-gas-emissions-reduction legislation passed, plus all those keeping a close eye on related activities, deserve praise. But being among the nation’s more notorious dirty – and harmful – air … Read more
In the United States, transportation accounts for about 28 percent of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In California’s San Joaquin Valley, GHG emissions are estimated to be as high as 40 percent. Compared to other sectors, emissions from transportation have been increasing more rapidly. “In fact, between 1990 and 2006, growth in U.S. transportation GHG … Read more