Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
effectively addressed through the development of new technologies because
it is a problem with a definite point of origin. A large portion of the emis-
sions that cause smog can be traced to a single set of sources—cars and light
trucks. Its unambiguous origins make smog a categorically different prob-
lem than, say, violent crime, which is the result of a vast number of things
ranging from poor family environments to chronic unemployment to vio-
lent media programming.When the source of a problem can be definitively
identified, a crucial step has been taken toward the development and appli-
cation of successful remedial technologies.
The next step in the solution of a problem may be the pursuit of a tech-
nological fix through the invention of new devices like catalytic convert-
ers. But these devices will remain bottled up in research laboratories unless
decisions are made to put them to use. This is an inherently political
process, one in which priorities are set and resources are allocated. Tech-
nology can fix things only when we can collectively agree on what needs
fixing and how much we are willing to pay for it. When such agreement
exists, there is at least a reasonable chance that effective policies will emerge
from the political arena. For decades, smog in Southern California was a
problem that was never far from public consciousness, especially since much
of the appeal of the region lay in its benevolent climate and the outdoors-
oriented lifestyle that it fostered. Consequently, policies oriented toward the
reduction of air pollution emerged in a receptive political environment
where smog was producing universal discomfort. Everyone living in South-
ern California was affected by air pollution, irrespective of their social class,
race, ethnicity, gender, age, or political affiliation.The reduction of air pol-
lution has been an issue that has galvanized the citizenry as a whole, an issue
that elected and appointed officials cannot easily disregard.
Political efforts to alleviate smog also benefited from the fact that, in con-
trast with what has happened in regard to other sources of health problems
(cigarettes come to mind), there has been no organized group with a vested
interest in the perpetuation of the problem. To be sure, car manufacturers
and others implicated in the production of smog were at times unenthusi-
astic and even hostile to efforts to clean up the emissions generated by their
products. Quite naturally, they feared that the cost of emissions equipment
would raise the price of the vehicles to the point where sales and profits
would be harmed. In fact, nothing of the sort has happened. The cost of
vehicles has gone up as the negative externalities have been internalized,
but cars appear to be relatively price inelastic, so higher prices have not sig-
