Four California parks have been named the most polluted in the nation in a new environmental study.
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park are the most polluted parks based on unhealthy levels of haze pollution, as well as frequent threats of drought and wildfires, according to a National Park Conservation Association (NPCA) report. is ranked as.
“With stunning mountains, caves, forests, rolling hills, and more than 2,000-year-old sequoias towering overhead, this giant country may seem invincible. The truth is, these majestic parks and The plants and wildlife that depend on them face unique and devastating impacts from anthropogenic air pollution and climate change.” NPCA website explained.
California’s Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve and Yosemite National Park rounded out the top four, following Sequoia and Kings Canyon.
Death Valley National Park, also in California, came in 6th place.
“It’s no surprise that air pollution is a problem in California. I think people know this,” said Ulla Reeves, interim director of NPCA’s Clean Air Program. told the Times.
“But we can see that the sequoias and the Joshua trees and all these places are actually experiencing tremendous air pollution and climate threats.”
The report concluded that climate change is “causing irreparable damage to national parks” and offered policy solutions to combat it.
“NPCA works with communities and partner organizations to improve air pollution through the implementation of strong policies and regulations, such as the Clean Air Act’s regional haze rules, national air quality standards, and new source performance standards for power plant and vehicle emissions. and reducing climate pollution. Standards. We hold federal agencies, states, and industries accountable for the air pollution that causes climate change and impairs the visibility and nature of our national parks and the health and well-being of people and communities. We are working to question the polluters,” the report said.
Additionally, “Our efforts are aimed at ensuring that national parks, park visitors, and nearby residents enjoy optimal air quality, clear views, and healthy ecosystems.”
The NPCA also found that 97% of U.S. national parks are exposed to “significant or inadequate levels of harm from air pollution,” and at least 57% of them are subject to “at least one high-risk climate threat.” He also revealed that he was suffering.
Although California cannot manage national parks, the state can influence park budgets and allocate funds to address climate change, said Rachel Norton, executive director of the California State Parks Foundation. I pointed out that it can be done.
“So, what if? [the state] If we choose not to invest and don’t see these places as essential and important to the success of our climate goals, we could fail,” Norton told the LA Times.
“And that’s kind of unthinkable.”
