Los Angeles has long been infamous for its severe air pollution, particularly smog.
However, through a combination of policy, innovation, and public awareness, the city has achieved significant improvements.
Here’s how it happened and what continues to be done today:
By the 1940s and 1950s, Los Angeles was facing a public health crisis due to its air pollution.
The city’s geography — a basin surrounded by mountains — traps pollutants, and temperature inversions worsened the issue.
Rapid industrial growth, reliance on automobiles, and the burning of fossil fuels contributed heavily to the smog problem.
How did they fix it?
1947
Established one of the first regional air pollution control agencies in the U.S., the Air Pollution Control District (APCD) to regulate industrial emissions.
1970
The U.S. Clean Air Act set strict air quality standards. California implemented even tougher regulations, requiring catalytic converters on cars.
1984
The Smog Check Program was introduced to ensure vehicles met emissions standards.
1980s
Factories and refineries were required to adopt cleaner technologies and reduce emissions. This included transitioning to cleaner fuels and using emission-control devices.
1990s
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate was introduced, pushing for electric and hybrid vehicles.
2000s
Investment in public transit, including the expansion of the Los Angeles Metro, encouraged residents to reduce reliance on personal vehicles.
2006
The Clean Air Action Plan targeted emissions from ships, trucks, and trains at the port, drastically reducing particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.
Now
Today, the city continues to work to further improve its air quality…
Provides incentives for EV adoption, EV charging infrastructure, and mandating that rideshare fleets (Uber, Lyft etc.) transition to electric vehicles.
Committed to transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2045.
Implemented policies promoting walkable neighborhoods, bike lanes, and green spaces to reduce reliance on cars.
Continuous air quality monitoring to ensure compliance with standards.
Educational programs and campaigns inform residents about reducing personal emissions and the importance of clean air initiatives.
The results?
In 2023, 7 months averaged ‘Good’ and 5 months ‘Moderate’.
While air pollution remains a concern, the city’s overall air quality has improved dramatically, with very few days categorized as “unhealthy.”
The reduction in air pollution has led to measurable improvements in respiratory and cardiovascular health among residents.
Yerevan MUST address its lethal situation.
Cities like London and Los Angeles continuously implement measures to improve air quality.
While in Armenia, catalytic converters are still not a legal requirement, despite this being the law in developed countries for the past 50 years.
What can you do?
Raise Awareness: Share this post.
Sign the petition and demand change.
