Sequoia, Joshua Tree Top List Of Most Polluted National Parks In U.S. Here Are Tips To Make Your Visit Better

Sustainable Development Goals and National Parks in California

Introduction

California still has a lot of work to do before its national parks are free of pollutants. According to a report from the National Park Conservancy Association, the four U.S. national parks with the highest ozone levels are all in California.

Most Affected Parks

• Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks had the most air pollution of any park measured in the study.
• Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave National Preserve, and Yosemite National Park also had high levels of air pollution.

Study Findings

The report analyzed data from the National Park Service and measured the level of manmade ozone pollution, hazy skies, and chemicals harmful to wildlife. It found that 42 parks, approximately 10 percent of all NPS-managed areas with available data, had a “significant concern” of unhealthy air.

Haze and Visibility

While Sequoia is still the haziest park in the United States, it is the only park in California where significant visible pollution was found. Other parks in California, such as Death Valley, Channel Islands, and Pinnacles, were also among the top 10 parks with visible pollution.

Causes of Pollution

According to the National Park Service, most of the pollution in California parks comes from outside sources. For example, pollution in Sequoia and Yosemite can originate from as far away as the San Francisco Bay Area. The Los Angeles Basin is responsible for most of Joshua Tree’s pollution. Motor vehicles, industrial emissions, and consumer products are the main causes of ozone pollution, according to the California Air Resources Board.

Improvements in Air Quality

Although air quality has improved in national parks across the country, California parks have seen less improvement compared to other states. The total number of parks with unsatisfactory ozone levels decreased between 2019 and 2021 nationwide.

Impact of Hot Weather

Pollution levels tend to be higher in hot weather. Ozone forms more readily in the atmosphere when temperatures rise. This impacts visibility and health in both cities and national parks. While most air pollution in the parks originates from outside sources, the National Park Service is committed to reducing ozone and other sources of poor air quality within the parks.

Efforts to Address Air Pollution

The National Park Service conducts its own monitoring of air pollutants in the parks and collaborates with other government agencies on air pollution regulation. They are actively working to respond to climate change through various programs, including the Climate Change Response Strategy, Green Parks Plan, Planning for a Changing Climate, and the Resist Accept Direct framework.

Tips for Avoiding Unhealthy Air

• If visiting a mountainous park, higher elevations usually have clearer air even on days with bad air quality.
• Monitor air quality readings, as conditions can change and pockets of good air quality may exist even on smoggy days.
• Be aware of the smoggiest areas and times in the park. For example, mid-elevation west-facing slopes in Yosemite typically have more ozone, while sheltered areas like Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows tend to be less affected. Ozone levels usually peak when the wind is stronger in the afternoon and evening.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. 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: Level of manmade ozone pollution, hazy skies, and chemicals harmful to wildlife in national parks.

2. 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: Pollution levels in national parks caused by motor vehicles, industrial emissions, and consumer products.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator: Reduction of ozone and other sources of poor air quality in national parks.

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Source: laist.com

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