Is California more environmentally sustainable than Americans realize? (San Diego, Ione: earthquake, living in)

[Tex?Il?]

I think so. I seriously wonder if other Americans are a little jealous of California a bit when they bring up Californias problems. Despite all of Californias faults (no pun intended!) the fact that has a uniquely desirable geography I think will mean that it will get through natural disasters, illegal immigration, budget problems, etc. etc.

I'm from the Chicago area, so the Great Lakes region, and we obviously have great water resources.

But heres why I think California is much more environmentally sustainable than people realize.

Its coastal Mediterranean climate means that LESS ENERGY IS NEEDED TO RUN FURNACES AND AIR CONDITIONERS.

I mean seriously, with Americas move to California over the 20th century we probably saved so much energy, with 1/10 of Americans living in a region where average summer temps are 70-74 degrees (in S. California, about ten degrees cooler in San Fran in the summer - really don' need AC there). Even Chicago believe it or not has a slightly (by a degree or two) average July temps than LA!!

Food resources: Seriously: The central valley providing a complete range of fruits and vegetables that do not have to be trucked across the country in the winter - thus a lifestyle that eats less meat - cattle and hogs consume a large amounts of grain. So more fruits and vegetables closer.

Everyone thinks LA is the poster child for sprawl, but thats really an outdated image. Due to the presence of mountains, federal land, etc. the suburbs and overall metro areas in California are denser than the rest of the country, and are more multi-centered. Unlike Chicagoland where the region tends to revolve around downtown.

The one issue is water. I love the great lakes as much as the next person. But really I think its hypocritical for midwesterners to be so against the shipping out of great lakes water while they consumer fruits and vegetables grown in California or consume oil or gas in Texas Louisiana, and Cali to a lesser extent (with pollution, etc affecting those states).

Earthquakes, etc. California is a big state, not all cities are particularly earthquake prone. San Diego, and the central valley cities are not so much. (Although it does get hot in the central valley).

What do you think? DO you think that California is more environmentally "sustainable" than people think?

[nei]

Eh. California is more energy efficient than most states. I think I remember reading it was the most efficient except for Hawaii, New York and a couple other northeastern states.