Opinion: Air quality in Lake Tahoe

To keep Tahoe cherished and known for its beauty, locals try in their best efforts to “keep Tahoe blue.” Sadly, negative effects in our ecosystems come from humans which could damage the clarity of the lake and the air quality. Bad air quality comes from numerous sources, such as car emissions, uncontained fires, and contributors to toxic runoff into the forest; these sources of pollution must be stopped.

To increase air quality in the basin, and prevent algae blooms, locals try to “Keep Tahoe Blue” by biking as opposed to driving due to the emissions. According to Lisa Gardiner, an environmental educator, acidic gasses in the atmosphere will lead into the lake. These chemicals flowing into the lake cause algae blooms which is toxic to animals in Lake Tahoe. Therefore, riding a bike instead of taking a car can save health of the ecosystems in the basin.

Fires produce carbon dioxide and monoxide, eating up oxygen and increasing the Greenhouse Effect and Climate Change. The main cause of uncontrolled fires in the Tahoe Basin are campfires by 90% according to Kit Bailey, a fire management officer from the USDA. To prevent wildfires in the basin, the USDA set restrictions on open fires; they also require permits for controlled campfires. Cigarettes are also a cause of uncontrolled fires; for example, the Gondola Fire in 2002 burned 672 acres. Campfires may be fun, but not when there is a possibility of polluting our air and making forests toxic.

People in Tahoe contribute to the pollution by what’s in the runoff. In the article, “Air, Water, and Soils Pollution,” Lake Tahoe naturally has runoff because of its slope and 6,224ft altitude. Contributors to the runoff can be from acidic rain to the medications one flushes down the toilet. The runoff can lead into the forest and make it ill to the point where the vegetation gives off extra toxins to cause pollution. By releasing these toxic chemicals, the air quality lessens and becomes unhealthy to breathe. It doesn’t sound like it matters as much, but runoff affects our vegetation in our forests, which contributes to the air pollution to the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Having clean quality air in what we call home is essential to our health along with Lake Tahoe and its ecosystems’ health as well. It is important to limit our air pollution from campfires and other sources like cars, or even try to prevent our forests from being ill so that the vegetation won’t give off toxic chemicals that can hurt our home and atmosphere.To maintain the beauty of our basin people strive for, we must work together with our community to prevent air pollution.

-Kendra Conard is a South Tahoe High Junior who wrote this opinion for Mr. Filce's English class.