Climate Change in California | CalMatters

Will Christianson and Jason Vincent clear away fallen brush from around the base of the Mother of the Forest redwood as hot spots from the CZU Complex fire continue burning in Big Basin Redwoods State Park on Aug., 28, 2020. Photo by Karl Mondon, Bay Area News Group

California’s ancient ‘asbestos’ forests no longer seem immune

by Julie Cart September 28, 2020September 28, 2020

The North Coast’s rainforests are hotter, drier and less foggy. That means more dangerous fires that can scar iconic redwoods.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom stands in front of four electric cars to announce an executive order requiring all new passenger vehicles sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035, a move the governor says would achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, on Sept. 23, 2020, at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Photo by Daniel Kim, The Sacramento Bee via AP/Pool

Newsom orders ban of new gas-powered cars by 2035

by Rachel Becker September 23, 2020September 25, 2020

An all-electric Proterra bus operated by San Joaquin Regional Transit District, shown beside its "Fast Charging" station. Image via Creative Commons. California’s clean-air programs take a hit in new funding cuts.

Exclusive: California’s clean-air programs take a hit in new funding squeeze

by Rachel Becker July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

Electric trucks are displayed outside of the California EPA. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California mandates zero-exhaust big rigs, delivery trucks

by Rachel Becker June 25, 2020July 6, 2020

California re-evaluating its landmark climate strategy

by Rachel Becker June 24, 2020June 25, 2020

An oil well pumps next to a newly constructed neighborhood near Signal Hill in Long Beach, California on Friday, April 24, 2020. Photo by Jim Ruymen, UPI/Alamy Live News

Oil and babies don’t mix: Wells linked to low birthweight

by Rachel Becker June 3, 2020September 16, 2020

Oil money is flowing to many California Democrats this election season. Pumpjacks photo by John Ciccarelli, Bureau of Land Management.

New state park? Climate catalyst fund? On hold in Newsom’s coronavirus-afflicted budget

by Julie Cart, Rachel Becker and Rebecca Sohn May 14, 2020May 14, 2020

The aftermath of an ocean surge in Imperial Beach, California, January 2019. Rising seas boost tides and imperil the city's coastline. Photo via Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego

Back off the beach and the rising sea? No way, California cities say

by Julie Cart April 28, 2020April 28, 2020

Evening traffic in Oakland on February 18, 2020. The Trump administration has announced new rollbacks to emissions standards. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California poised to sue Trump again to stop another clean car rollback

by Rachel Becker March 31, 2020March 31, 2020

New legislation would end single-family zoning in cities across Californi. Here, a BART train runs above single family homes in Albany. Photo by Anne Wernikoff/CalMatters

Wiener’s new housing bill would still end single-family-only zoning — but more “gently”

by Matt Levin March 10, 2020March 10, 2020