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One Planet: The health hazards of neighborhood oil & gas drilling in California

Bureau of Land Management California

On this edition of Your Call’s One Planet Series, we discuss oil drilling in California neighborhoods. More than seven million Californians live within a mile of oil and gas drilling operations and 84 percent of wells are located in places categorized by the federal government as medically underserved areas or populations, according to a Grist analysis based on data from CalGEM, the California Department of Education, and the California Health and Human Services department.

Living in proximity to oil wells has been linked to a range of health issues, including nosebleeds, migraines, rashes, respiratory problems, and long-term impacts.

We'll also find out why refinery trade unions in California are fighting to protect the fossil fuel industry and why California State Senator Bob Hertzberg, a Democrat who represents a section of the eastern San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, helped tank key California climate bills.

Guests:

Alexandria Herr, award-winning environmental journalist

Aaron Miguel Cantú, investigative reporter

Web Resources:

Grist: California’s dirty little secret: Oil wells in the backyard

Capital & Main: How Trade Unions and Climate Advocates in California Can Forge an Alliance

The Los Angeles Times: The toxic legacy of old oil wells: California’s multibillion-dollar problem

Capital & Main: Meet the Senator at COP26 Who Helped Tank Key California Climate Bills

Capital & Main: How Trade Unions and Climate Advocates in California Can Forge an Alliance

Capital & Main: In Protecting Good Oil and Gas Jobs, Some California Trade Unions Clash With Climate Activists