Should California spend $10 billion from the state’s general funds to combat climate change?
That’s the question raised by Prop. 4, which will appear on the statewide ballot this November. It would allow the state to borrow $10 billion to reduce climate risks and impacts, especially those related to droughts, floods, water supplies, park repairs and expansions, forest health, wildfire prevention, extreme heat, sea-level rise in coastal areas, land conservation, habitat restoration, farms, agriculture, and energy infrastructure.
Supporters say that as California faces increasing threats from wildfires, water pollution, and extreme heat, this investment can prevent future costs and damages from a changing climate. They say the measure would help the state better deal with extreme heat waves while averting certain health risks due to climate change and protect the environment.
Opponents say that it will only cause more debt and burden taxpayers even more as they struggle with a sagging economy and high expenses — and these things have been promised before but not come to fruition as they should have.
Shirley Wilson, who lives in Baldwin Park, said she supports the proposition because poor air quality has hurt her health and wants to see something done.
“I have really bad asthma so because of the hot weather I think there’s been a few fires recently that affected the air and it’s just really hard to breathe,” said Wilson, Cal State LA senior majoring in theater.
For others, living next to freeways has made them worry as they’ve noticed the increase in air pollution. There are four freeways that go through East L.A.
Anthony Ortega, who lives in Vermont Vista and is a Chicano Studies major, said “you can smell the dirtiness” and that there should be more efforts to combat climate change.
That’s why Ortega said he supports the proposition. That said, he said he can see why some people may be opposed: “Because our tax money is going to billions of dollars – if people don’t see the progress, they wouldn’t want to support it.”
Lizette Hernandez said she supports the measure as well because of the pollution that plagues Southern California, which climate change will only make worse.
She said investments like those made by the proposition, if it’s approved, are important as are individual changes and actions. One way she combats the impact of air pollution and protects her own health is using an air purifier at home.
“I’ve noticed a big difference. It feels like the air is more breathable,” said Hernandez, an English major at Cal State LA.
Other ways Hernandez and others try to make a difference is by using reusable bags and containers.
Ortega added, “Personally, I pick up trash around my neighborhood a lot and I stopped using plastic water bottles and stopped over-consuming stuff – because what are you really doing for the environment if you’re [buying] way too much?”
