Quality of Life: Environment

Environmental indicators reflect whether our air is getting cleaner, our water supply more reliable and waterways are improving.  These indicators also reflect the progress that is being made in reducing waste and pollution.  Please click here for a pdf of the full set of indicators on the environment.

  • Over the past 30 years, California has seen a 12 percent increase in particular matter pollution throughout the state.  The San Joaquin Valley and the South Coast, which includes most of Southern California, have consistently had the highest levels of particulate matter in the state.
  • Nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compound emissions, the main ingredients that form smog when exposed to sunlight, are on the decline.  In particular, volatile organic compounds in Southern California have decreased from over 7,000 tons per day in 1975 to about 2,400 tons per day in 2005, a 65 percent reduction.
  • California has made progress in reducing another common pollutant, sulfur oxide emissions, which are linked to skin and eye irritations.  From 1975 to 2000, sulfur oxide emissions declined across the state by nearly 78 percent.
  • Ground-level ozone in California also is on the decline.  Between 1985 and 2005, harmful levels of ozone, when controlling for population, have decreased in all regions of the state.  The South Coast Air Basin experienced the greatest reduction in the number of unhealthy days caused by this pollutant, an 80 percent decrease.
  • California is a major emitter of greenhouse gases.  Greenhouse gas emissions are linked to global warming, and California is a large source of these emissions, second only to Texas in the U.S. Our world ranking has ranged between 12th and 16th.  From 1990 to 2004, greenhouse gas emissions in California increased from 492 million to 529 million metric tons.  But when controlling for population growth, California's greenhouse gas emissions actually declined during that period, from 16.7 to 14.6 metric tons per capita.
  • California's statewide water quality, as measured by the number of impaired bodies of water or waterways, has remained fairly consistent from 2002 to 2006.  Among California's nine water quality regions, four have made progress in reducing the number of impaired water segments.
  • From 1980 to 1989, per capita water consumption remained fairly steady, but rates declined by 30 percent between 1989 and 1992.  Today, consumption levels have returned to earlier levels.
  • Californians have sharply reduced the amount of waste that goes into landfills.  The amount of waste generated in California has doubled from 1989 to 2006, but nearly all of that increase has been diverted into reuse or recycling.  Total statewide waste disposal has declined from 1989 to 2006.