Climate Change

Park headquarters photographed during a tour of Big Basin Redwoods State Park for members of the media after the CZU Complex fire in Boulder Creek, on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. Photo by Nhat V. Meyer, Bay Area News Group

Climate Change

Mega fires and mega floods: California’s new extremes require a response of similar scale

Successfully reducing the risks of major floods and catastrophic wildfires will require many years of sustained commitment and coordination.

By

Guest Commentary

• October 5, 2020

Homes destroyed by the LNU Lighting Complex Fire seen interspersed with untouched homes above Lake Berryessa, a resort area and water supply reservoir, on Sept. 21, 2020. Following the lighting complex fires in August, residents were advised not to drink or boil the tap water out of concerns for benzene and other contaminants. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Environment

Unsafe to drink: Wildfires threaten rural towns with tainted water

The damage to water systems can linger for years. The cost in just one small town: as much as $150 million.

By

Rachel Becker

• October 5, 2020

Climate Change

Recommendations to help California’s economic recovery and to take action on climate

A plan to prioritize good jobs that solve some of our environmental and climate issues can lead to a strong economic recovery.

By

Guest Commentary

• October 3, 2020

Climate Change

California needs to accelerate efforts to achieve clean energy goals

California will need to more than double renewable energy capacity in the next 10 years, and state leaders have to plan for that expansion.

By

Guest Commentary

• October 2, 2020

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

Environment

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

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

By

Julie Cart

• September 28, 2020

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

Commentary

Is Newsom serious about banning gas-powered cars?

Is Gov. Gavin Newsom serious about banning sales of internal combustion-powered vehicles, or is this just another impractical goal?"

By

Dan Walters

• September 25, 2020

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs an executive order on a Ford Mustang Mach-E 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. Photo by Daniel Kim, The Sacramento Bee via AP/Pool

WhatMatters

Newsom’s gas-car ban dependent on next president

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, September 24. More executive orders coming In his most dramatic move yet against climate change, Gov. Gavin Newsom directed state officials to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars in California starting in 2035 — an action sure to escalate the Golden State’s contentious relationship with the Trump administration and […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• September 24, 2020

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

Environment

Newsom orders ban of new gas-powered cars by 2035

In a dramatic move to tackle climate change, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that he has ordered the Air Resources Board to ban new models of traditional cars beginning in 15 years.

By

Rachel Becker

• September 23, 2020

Climate Change

Five solutions to California’s climate crisis Gov. Newsom should implement … right now

Gov. Newsom recognizes that our current climate targets are inadequate. We have the technology ready to go. Here is a checklist:

By

Guest Commentary

• September 16, 2020

WhatMatters

Trump, Biden face off over California wildfires

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, September 15. Golden State in the spotlight California took center stage on the national campaign trail Monday, with Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden leveraging the state’s record-breaking fires to advance their respective political visions. The faceoff will likely continue today, with Democratic vice-presidential candidate Kamala […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• September 15, 2020