California Black Media

Black and Hispanic California Residents Exposed to the Highest Levels of Air Pollution

Environmental researchers confirmed in a study released last week that people in California breathe cleaner air today than they did 25 years ago, but Black and Latino residents are exposed to the highest levels of vehicle pollution in the state. According to a new study published in Science Advances, large and longtime racial disparities in exposure to vehicle air pollution persist statewide.

Published

2 months ago

September 22, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Environmental researchers confirmed in a study released last week that people in California breathe cleaner air today than they did 25 years ago, but Black and Latino residents are exposed to the highest levels of vehicle pollution in the state.

According to a new study published in Science Advances, large and longtime racial disparities in exposure to vehicle air pollution persist statewide. Although the state has implemented aggressive emissions policies to reduce air pollution by 65%. Scientists defined air pollutants as fine particulate matter in the air. Those pollutants are mostly emitted by cars, trucks, and other vehicles.

However, the study revealed that low-income communities, where residents are mostly Black and Latino, have the dirtiest air due to high levels of air pollution.

Joshua Apte, a senior author of the study acknowledged that California has implemented effective laws and policies to control emissions from cars as well as light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles.

“This is a tremendous win for public health, but our work isn’t done, because there’s been no narrowing of the relative gap between the most exposed and least exposed racial and ethnic groups,” he said.

The fine particulate matter polluting the air is linked to a variety of negative health effects and is estimated to cause over 5,000 premature deaths in the state each year. Cars and large vehicles are the main sources of exposure, trucks have a higher impact on low-income communities.

Researchers attributed the poor air quality in communities of color to racist housing policies such as redlining that people of color live closer to highways and ports, far away from predominantly white communities. Recent findings in the study indicated that only reducing car emissions is not enough to improve the air quality to healthier levels.

Apte, an associate professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, said that disparities in air pollution have remained constant in Black and Brown communities.

“One of the things that we’ve learned through this work is that we’re not actually going to get rid of the relative disparities from vehicles, even when they’re all electric because things like tires and brakes will still give off emissions,” he said.

The researchers stated that reducing air pollution requires paying more attention to systemic factors such as shifting where emissions occur. The scientists recommended that the state accelerate the adoption of zero-emission cars and trucks to reduce disparities in low-income communities.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

6 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

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Gov. Newsom Goes to Washington to Advocate for California Priorities

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation. During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

Published

1 week ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

Gov. Newsom visits the White House on Nov. 14. Photo courtesy of Gov.Ca. Gov

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to Washington, D.C., for meetings with senior Biden-Harris Administration officials and members of California’s congressional delegation.

During the week, he pushed for increased resources to improve public safety and quality of life in California.

“California is continuing our work to secure additional tools and resources to improve access to health care, clean air and water, and secure critical funding to support communities recovering from disasters,” said Newsom.

At the White House, Newsom met with President Joe Biden and key officials, advocating for disaster relief funding, healthcare expansion, and environmental protection. He also engaged in discussions with senior Biden-Harris officials, including Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, to address water quality improvements and the San Luis Dam project, which will support water supplies for two million Californians.

“Building on our strong partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration, California is working closely with the White House over the next two months to deliver the critical protections and resources our communities need,” Newsom said.

On Capitol Hill, Newsom met with California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, along with other Congressional leaders, to emphasize the need to approve pending disaster funding, healthcare programs, and environmental protections. He also previewed California’s upcoming special session to proactively address potential federal challenges when President-elect Donald Trump is sworn into office.

Newsom’s discussions also focused on securing Medicaid waivers from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to enhance behavioral health services and reduce homelessness. The state seeks approval for the BH-CONNECT waiver, which would address behavioral health and homelessness, and the MCO Tax Waiver, which would provide over $20 billion for Medi-Cal to improve healthcare access.

Additionally, California is pushing for Clean Air Act waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which are crucial for enforcing air quality regulations. These measures are projected to prevent 11,000 premature deaths and provide $116 billion in health benefits over the next three decades, according to the Governor’s office.

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California to Offer $43.7 Million in Federal Grants to Combat Hate Crimes

Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that 311 California nonprofit and faith-based organizations, including those representing communities targeted by hate crimes, will receive over $43.7 million in federal funding through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The funding aims to enhance security measures such as reinforced doors, access control systems, and lighting to protect against hate-based violence.

Published

1 week ago

November 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The funding aims to enhance security measures such as reinforced doors, access control systems, and lighting to protect against hate-based violence.

“An attack against any community is an attack against our entire state and our values. We will protect the ability of every Californian to worship, love, and gather safely without fear of hate or violent attacks. California is continuing to safeguard all communities, including those most at risk,” said Newsom.

California receives 10% of the national allocation, the highest of any state. This funding comes in addition to $76 million in state funding for similar security improvements announced in July 2024. In total, California has invested over $230 million since 2015 to safeguard vulnerable communities.

“California is dedicated to helping our communities stay safe from violent hate crimes and get access to essential financial funding to support those efforts,” said Cal Office of Emergency Services (OES) Director Nancy Ward.

The grants are particularly important as hate crimes, especially against Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, and Black communities, have seen an increase. In response, California has also launched initiatives like the CA vs Hate hotline and website, providing a platform for reporting hate incidents anonymously. Newsom’s administration continues to prioritize the safety of all Californians, with ongoing efforts to combat discrimination and hate violence.