Environment

Panelists assess California's successes and shortcomings as a climate policy pioneer at a CALmatters panel, one of the ancillary events at the global climate summit underway in San Francisco. From left, Julie Cart, Fran Pavley, Michael Shaw and V. John White.

Environment

Experts: California’s a climate policy leader, but with missteps

California has been a leader in developing climate policy, yes, but there have been missteps, and there’s more work to do.

By

Julie Cart

• September 12, 2018

Environment

CALmatters Explains: California’s War on Climate Change

What happens when California—a state that is responsible for about 1 percent of the world's greenhouse gases—goes all-in on climate change.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

and

Julie Cart

• September 10, 2018

The skyline of San Francisco, where Gov. Jerry Brown will host a climate summit, is shown. | Photo by heyengel via iStock

Environment

Heavy hitters on climate change converge on San Francisco, with Gov. Jerry Brown as host

The governor holds a summit of regional leaders from around the world who've pledged to reduce greenhouse gases. Businesses are coming, too.

By

Julie Cart

• September 7, 2018

Anti-oil demonstrators in front of Gov. Jerry Brown's Capitol office. | Photo by Robbie Short/CALmatters

Environment

A blind spot in Gov. Jerry Brown’s green worldview? Critics say yes—it’s oil

Some environmental activists say Brown should ban fracking, end new oil drilling and wean the state off fossil fuels.

By

Julie Cart

• September 5, 2018

The State Capitol in Sacramento, California, September 10, 2015. California Bills.

Explainers

Last stop: On these 2018 California bills, it’s the governor’s call

In the final days of California's 2018 legislative session, hundreds of bills landed on the governor's desk. We're tracking the fate of the most consequential here.

By

CalMatters Staff

• September 1, 2018

An aerial photo of the vast, blackened area around Keswick Dam in Shasta County after the devastating Carr Fire.

Economy

Climate change is going to cost California, and the bill will be staggering

As California lawmakers addressed epic wildfires this week, there was an inescapable subtext: Climate change will be staggeringly expensive, and we'll all pay for it.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• August 30, 2018

Display at a Sacramento clean-water rally. Photo by Antoinette Siu/CALmatters.

Capitol

How to help Californians whose tap water is tainted?

Hundreds of thousands of residents can't drink the water that flows to their homes. Here are some of the proposed remedies, not all of them successful.

By

David Gorn

• August 30, 2018

Photo of worker thinning trees in a forest to help prevent large wildfires. Legislators are looking at a plan to improve policy on California forest management. } Photo by stockstudioX via iStock

Capitol

Thinning California’s fire-prone forests: 5 things to know as lawmakers approve a plan

Lawmakers hope to manage California's forests better, partly by thinning the trees. Here's why that's not a simple task.

By

Julie Cart

• August 29, 2018

Downtown Los Angeles covered in smog is shown. Photo by MattGush via Getty Images

Environment

The Green Economy: Is California’s bid to lead the world on climate solutions paying off at home?

California’s landmark climate law came with promises of economic benefit. But experts say it’s virtually impossible to tell if those promises are coming true.

By

Julie Cart

• August 22, 2018

Burned appliances in Coffey Park after the 2017 wildfires in Santa Rosa—one of many blazes fueling a Capitol debate about fire insurance. Photo by Shawn Hubler for CALmatters

Economy

Legislature has been snuffing out bills that aim to help insured homeowners in wildfire country

Of all the constituencies clamoring for help as firenados ravage California, homeowners worried about their fire insurance seem among the least likely this year to get legislative relief.

By

Antoinette Siu

• August 19, 2018