Clearing The Air: Los Angeles on Earth Day
The 5 Gyres Institute - Captains of Cleaning the Seas
An LA Native Tells A Smoggy Story
In late-1970's Los Angeles schoolchildren lived with days of smog alerts and limits on play time because the level of air pollution was unhealthy.
Eye stinging, lung burning, headache-inducing dirty air.
Mr. Sobel's eighth-grade physical education class sat cross-legged on the black-top dressed in the green and gold uniform of their middle school.
Arranged in rows of ten, we were issued VG's (very goods) or demerits according to our behavior. Run a little further than required - get a VG. Pick up a bit of trash blowing across our field - get a VG. Talk out of turn, interrupt the coach, fail to complete the exercises - receive a demerit.
Earn enough in the plus column and receive relief of some sort. Too many demerits and eventually earn a trip to after-school detention.
So why, on this moderately smoggy April afternoon, did Coach Sobel, standing in front of us calling roll, so casually toss his apple core to the base of the tree trunk?
With glee, my classmate raised his hand anxiously anticipating giving the tall, lanky, marathon runner a verbal demerit for littering.
We had only just learned that throwing trash to the ground made its way through the sewer system and eventually to the Santa Monica Bay.Â
The beach vision was, of course, an easy inducement and the first step toward life-long behavioral change for the John Burroughs Junior High students, as we all loved summertime at the beach.
Dr. Sobel called on my classmate, who on this day was wearing the gold side of his reversable uniform top.
"Dr. Sobel, you littered!"
The random opening allowed our coach to respond with a dreaded homework task - issued by our P.E. teacher, who was never shy about crossing the line to academic coach.
"Does anybody know what biodegradable means?"
Not a single hand went up, and the journey of a lifetime began for an eighth-grade class of LA natives.
Recycling bins would not appear in Los Angeles until 1983 with the home recycling pilot program.
Smog Days in LA
It is hard to remember how often we were confined to our classrooms.Â
What is clear are the memories of the Hollywood Sign hidden from sight behind a blanket of pollution.Â
Most often during the summer months, but with one-half of annual calendar days deemed either hazardous or unhealthy, it could have been any day, in any month, that we were without outside play.
Catalytic Converters and Environmental Policies Work
I can only find yearly data going back to 1980 when the "Total Unhealthy/Hazardous Air Days" numbered 286. For comparison, the 2023 total was 94.
Even more strikingÂ
When comparing "Very Unhealthy or Hazardous Air Days" - 3 - count 'em, three days in 2023 versus 159 heavy smog days in 1980!
Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA was created in 1970 by executive order. President Richard Nixon, cognizant of electoral politics and with love for San Clemente, CA, the home of his western White House, signed the order creating the Agency, leading to a significant expansion of the Clean Air Act (1970) and the Clean Water Act (1972).
Smog - A Photo History
For $150 per day plus film and expenses, photographers, with direct support from the EPA, shot 80,000 images for DOCUMERICA.Â
The entire catalog is free for use as part of the National Archives.
Talk The Talk - Earth Day 2024
In an era of politicization of everything, it is heartwarming and hope-inspiring to know that there are people who walk the walk every day of their lives.
17Â years ago, I was introduced to Anna Cummins. She arrived at the coffee house via bicycle.
If I recall correctly, the two-wheeler also produced sufficient energy to power a smoothie blender (or other small draw machine) that could be attached to the plank behind the seat.
She had come to discuss my new project, The Sustainable Group, carbon reduction, conservation, and the devasting impact of plastics on our oceans.
Anna's enthusiasm, professionalism, and dedication were already engrained and evident. Her willingness to teach, guide, and make introductions came from the heart.
It is, therefore, not in the least bit surprising what was on her horizon.
The 5 Gyres Institute
Anna and her husband, Markus Eriksen, co-founded and lead the 5 Gyres Institute.
Dedicated to understanding the global impact of plastic pollution and to creating change through education, action, and science.
Spend a few minutes on their website. Review the FAQ, learn about GYREs, and the impact of plastic on human and animal health.
Hear the story of the JUNK RAFT beginning at 16:04.
About The Author And Podcast Host
Tom Levine, leveraging a 25-year tenure in capital markets, leads Zero Hour Group and Native Angelino Real Estate, offering a suite of consulting, strategic analysis, and real estate services.
An alumnus of USC Marshall School of Business and the Claremont Colleges - Pitzer College campus with a term at the London School of Economics. Additionally, he holds a CADRE broker's license (#02052698) and the designation certified Short Sale Specialist under the National Association of Realtors.
Have a challenging transaction? Let's discuss.Â
I consult on a range of transaction types and deal structures.