I have been reading up on the air quality in Los Angeles lately, the reports are not that great, and following a veto by the Californian Governor of a bill that would have allowed investment in the Ports infrastructure with a direct objective to cleaning the air, they are not going to get better any time soon. This bad news comes from the California Coalition for Clean Air .

It seems trade in California is set to triple in 20 years and managing the related traffic is vital if California has any chance to clean up it act and improve the quality of the air and the life of its citizens in years to come. Revenue from the bill (SB 974) was go equally towards two clean air objectives namely: (1) specific infrastructure needs to reduce congestion and air pollution. These projects include improving railroad crossings and removing heavy trucks from streets and freeways. (2) available technologies to reduce air pollution and protect public health. (CCA SB 974 fact sheet)

From what I have read congestion cost California nearly 14 billion dollars in 2005 and 9,3 billion for Los Angeles alone (2007 Urban Mobility Study ), illness and death due to smog and poor air quality is also significant.

One wonders how committed the powers that be in Los Angeles and California are to leading the way on decreasing airborne pollution and reducing GhG emissions. Do they know the rest of the world is watching? In our related world of ridesharing and carpooling, Californians form the single largest group within the PickupPal community, we hope they do not lose heart at this recent turn of events, and we will do everything that we can to continue to support them in their individual efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and make choices that will benefit them, their children and their state.

-Suesan