Climate Change

California rates a grade of ‘C’ on climate action

Despite all that we experienced last year, I’m still hopeful that California can once more lead the nation and world with climate solutions.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 18, 2021

Geo textile, installed a decade ago to address erosion, is seen against the cliffside at Carlsbad State Beach on March 3, 2021. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Environment

Rising seas, worsening wildfires endanger California parks

Big Basin, nearly wiped out by fire, remains closed as the state struggles to protect nearly 300 parks from climate change. Solutions are costly: thinning forests, adding sand to beaches, moving parking lots and buildings.

By

Julie Cart

• March 17, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom delivers the State of the State address at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on March 9, 2021. Photo by Shae Hammond for CalMatters

Politics

Newsom blasts ‘naysayers and dooms-dayers’ as he touts pandemic progress

In his State of the State speech, Gov. Newsom declares that pandemic is nearly over and reaches out to key recall voters.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• March 9, 2021

Commentary

How ‘Cutting Green Tape’ can make California more resilient

Streamlined regulatory processes for ecosystem restoration in California will be critical to growing green jobs and meeting environmental goals.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 8, 2021

Climate Change

Cap and trade, offsets at a crossroads in California’s climate policy

If California is serious about greenhouse gas reductions, the state must address these climate goals directly.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 1, 2021

California Capitol, home of the Assembly and Senate. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

State auditor’s office has been on a roll

California's auditor, Elaine Howle, has been on a roll, revealing politically embarrassing facts about state government agencies and programs.

By

Dan Walters

• February 28, 2021

Sunset behind electrical lines outside of Bay Point along highway 4 on Sept. 15, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

California’s climate goals likely out of reach

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, February 24. Two reports cast doubt California is unlikely to meet its ambitious climate goals, two reports released Tuesday show. The first, from California State Auditor Elaine Howle, doesn’t mince words: “The state will fall short of meeting the 2030 goal” of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• February 24, 2021

Climate Change

Farmers can help in battle against climate change

California farmers have an opportunity to turbo-charge the green revolution in rural America with crop-based biofuels.

By

Guest Commentary

• February 19, 2021

WhatMatters

Texas blackouts put California in spotlight

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, February 18. Power grid challenges loom California’s rolling blackouts last summer are back in the national spotlight due to the collapse of Texas’ electric grid amid a record-breaking winter storm — underscoring the discrepancy between the two states’ stances on energy and climate change, as well as the challenges they […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• February 18, 2021

WhatMatters

California loses economic ground to Utah

Good morning, California. It’s Wednesday, February 17. Housing costs key factor Goodbye, Silicon Valley. Hello, Silicon Slopes. The tech hubs of San Francisco and San Jose fell precipitously in this year’s ranking of U.S. cities’ economic performance released Wednesday morning by the Milken Institute, a nonpartisan think tank that’s published the index every year since […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• February 17, 2021