Oregon is home to 2 of the 10 most polluted cities in the US
Oregon is home to 2 of the 10 most polluted cities in the US Fox 12 Oregon
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Oregon’s Air Quality: A Critical Review
The Beaver State, despite its reputation for environmental consciousness, has been identified as having some of the most polluted air in the United States.
Report Findings
A recent report highlights that two out of the top ten locations in the U.S. with the worst air quality are in Oregon:
- Eugene – 4th place
- Medford – 8th place
State Initiatives and SDGs
In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action, Oregon environmental regulators are pushing to significantly reduce greenhouse gases from fossil fuel companies. The state adopted a comprehensive Climate Protection Plan in 2021, which is considered one of the strongest climate action plans in the country.
(Nathan Howard | AP)
Pollution Sources and Health Impacts
The list of the most polluted cities was compiled using recent air pollution data from the EPA, focusing on ozone (smog) and particle pollution. The primary urban pollution sources include:
- Burning agricultural waste
- Farming
- Forest management
Bakersfield, California, was identified as the U.S. city with the highest air pollution levels.
Health Data and SDGs
The study by the American Lung Association revealed significant health impacts in Oregon:
- Eugene-Springfield: 4,589 pediatric and 36,325 adult asthma cases (population: 382,353)
- Medford-Grants Pass: 4,277 pediatric and 28,473 adult asthma cases (population: 309,374)
(Nathan Howard | AP)
Comparative Analysis
Eugene-Springfield’s high pollution levels are primarily due to car emissions, wood-burning stoves, and diesel engines. In comparison:
- San Francisco Bay Area: Transportation emissions, wildfires, and industrial stormwater runoff (5th place)
- Los Angeles: Fossil fuel burning by cars, ships, planes, manufacturing, and wildfires (6th place)
- Phoenix and Fairbanks: Follow Medford in pollution rankings
Global Context and SDGs
The study also highlighted that the U.S. is responsible for 17% of total global greenhouse emissions. This underscores the importance of SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being in addressing air quality and its health impacts.
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Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
- Implied Indicator: Number of asthma cases in Eugene-Springfield and Medford-Grants Pass areas.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).
- Implied Indicator: Rankings of cities with the worst air quality.
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production (including a national adaptation plan, nationally determined contribution, national communication, biennial update report or other).
- Implied Indicator: Adoption of Oregon’s statewide Climate Protection Plan.
4. Findings Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution. Implied Indicator: Number of asthma cases in Eugene-Springfield and Medford-Grants Pass areas. |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. | Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g., PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted). Implied Indicator: Rankings of cities with the worst air quality. |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production (including a national adaptation plan, nationally determined contribution, national communication, biennial update report or other). Implied Indicator: Adoption of Oregon’s statewide Climate Protection Plan. |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: kptv.com
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