This summer I have avoided my usual trips to L.A.-area beaches, because water quality reports from Malibu to Marina del Rey have been very bad.
There’s heavy pollution in the water, which likely explains why the shells and starfish we’ve always seen along our shores and in tide pools have mostly disappeared during the past several years.
So, unfortunately, there’s no relief available in L.A. from the intense heat caused by climate change by taking a swim in the ocean without risking our health from being in unsafe water.
Most people in L.A. are unaware of this dire problem; however, because our local media has failed to report it. Only a time-consuming online search will give you that information.
Doug Weiskopf
Burbank
First published in the August 5 print issue of the Burbank Leader.
