Nithya Raman, an Indian-American, will bring her passion and experience in mitigating the effects of climate change

FREMONT CA: Nithya Raman, an Indian American urban planner, and true environmentalist, has been designated on the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing board charged with advocating clean air in Los Angeles. She prioritizes public health and is laser-focused on the climate which is indeed a notable choice to the board, added Los Angeles Eric Garcetti, confirming her appointment.

Raman, who became the first Asian-American woman and the first South Asian to serve on the Los Angeles City Council in 2019, will take over for Joe Buscaino, who joined the board in 2013. She will be the city's sole representative on the agency tasked by the state and federal governments with accomplishing clean air standards in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Clean Air Act and California's Clean Air Act. She is gratified for the opportunity to serve on the AQMD board, which is one of the most important tools we have in Los Angeles for mitigating the effects of climate change, quoted Raman.

She is looking forward to working with my board colleagues to ensure that everyone on the South Coast has access to healthy, clean air. Our ports become models for 21st-century shipping that prioritize environmental sustainability and environmental justice in their operations.

Raman's appointment was embraced by the Coalition for Clean Air. "Millions of Southern Californians, particularly those in marginalized areas, breathe air that does not satisfy national and state air quality standards," stated Chris Chavez, the coalition's Deputy Policy Director. Regardless of getting the SCAQMD to pass, even the most basic air pollution controls can be a long and frustrating endeavor. "Mayor Garcetti has taken a crucial step toward safeguarding public health and improving California's air quality," Chavez mentioned.

Raman established and supervised a homelessness nonprofit in Los Angeles and was the Executive director of Time’s Up Entertainment before joining politics. In order to meet the city’s climate goals, Raman prioritized implementing solicitous and effective services for homeless people and building them inexpensive housing.

She is the Chair of the Information, Technology, and General Services Committee, the Vice-Chair of the Homelessness & Poverty Committee, the Vice-Chair of the Housing Committee, and a member of the Economic Development & Jobs and the Immigrant Affairs, Civil Rights, and Equity Committees.