SeeCalifornia.com

Two fascinating reports issued this month provide snapshots and ‘big picture’ views of California. California’s Department of Finance released its new Population Data and Projections, and American Lung Association released its annual study of air quality.  California again is front and center as the nation’s biggest polluter.  Before you pack your bags, there’s a lot to consider.

California — It’s Complicated

• California may be the most polluted state in the nation, but the CDC says it is among 11 states with lowest incidences of lung cancer deaths at 32.1 per 100,000.
• The Central Valley’s eight counties grow about half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables — very important!
• The state legalization of marijuana would seem to fly in the face of efforts to curb lung diseases.  However, American Cancer Society says it doesn’t have enough information to make an honest assessment about pot. “Those who use marijuana tend to smoke less in a day or week than the amount of tobacco consumed by cigarette smokers. The lesser amount smoked would make it harder to see an impact on lung cancer risk,” says their report.
• You can’t stop population growth but the State Department of Finance projects that in 2051, California will join the ranks of Japan and many European countries which have more deaths than births. Migration will likely keep California’s population growth rate positive.