California has a reputation for environmentalism . Californians , especially those living on the coasts , are viewed as being advocates of environmental issues . The environmental culture of California can be partly attributed to public outrage at the major oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1969 . The influential social conditions resulting from this oil spill are explained in detail by environmental sociologist Harvey Molotch
the major oil spill
1969 Santa Barbara oil spill
Culture of California