Climate Change

Residents of all ages gather together at a CHP checkpoint on Highway 1 to bring attention to the Santa Cruz Mountain community of Bonny Doon on August 21, 2020. Families have had to evacuate and say there aren't enough firefighters assigned to the area to save the community. Photo by Kevin Painchaud, Santa Cruz Sentinel

Education

Wildfires set school plans ablaze for more than 70,000 students

Already reeling from the coronavirus pandemic, schools in rural areas like Bonny Doon must now contend with wildfires and related problems like blackouts, poor air quality and damaged internet infrastructure.

By

Ricardo Cano

• August 26, 2020

In this long exposure photo, the LNU Lightning Complex fire continues burning vegetation in the ridges near Chemise Road in Healdsburg on Aug., 21, 2020. Photo by Ray Chavez, Bay Area News Group

WhatMatters

History-making California blazes — worst likely yet to come

Two of the three largest fires in California history are raging across the state alongside about 600 others, burning more than 1.3 million acres — an area about the size of Delaware — and forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Dry lightning storms and gusty winds […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• August 24, 2020

Commentary

Reclaimed homelands of Northern California tribes fulfill a prophecy of renewal

Sacred peaks overlooking the Pacific, salmon streams and lush alpine meadows are returning to the Native people; it's about time.

By

Guest Commentary

• August 14, 2020

Reader Reactions

Missing the point on cities’ efforts to go all-electric to fight climate change

Cities have begun to adopt policies to address the problems with burning fossil fuels in our homes that would protect our children’s health now.

By

Guest Commentary

• August 13, 2020

Commentary

You can put a price tag on environmental and economic returns from protecting rangeland

From parks to rangeland, California’s open spaces provide a variety of benefits that it’s next to impossible to put a price tag on – until now.

By

Guest Commentary

• August 6, 2020

Capitol

Approve Assembly Bill 1720: Two energy storage projects would create jobs

Assembly Bill 1720 will help the state move forward building clean energy storage and create jobs through infrastructure projects.

By

Guest Commentary

• August 3, 2020

California Wildfires

California’s looming wildfire threat requires a cleaner, more resilient electrical grid

California’s electrical grid is getting cleaner, but it is still not well positioned to deal with a changing climate with its web of decades-old poles and wires.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 19, 2020

A line of firefighters wearing helmets and headlamps walk along a dirt road at night beside a blazing wildfire. The flames and smoke cast an orange glow as the crew moves forward carrying tools and gear.

Environment

As wildfire season looms, California adds 900 firefighters to its crews

Fewer inmates are available for hand crews so the state is filling the gap. So far, slightly more acreage has burned this year than last year.

By

Rachel Becker

• July 9, 2020

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

Environment

California mandates zero-exhaust big rigs, delivery trucks

The requirements begin in 2024. By 2035, 55% of delivery vans and large pickups, 75% of commercial trucks such as garbage trucks and 40% of the big rigs sold in California must be emissions-free.

By

Rachel Becker

• June 25, 2020

Environment

California re-evaluating its landmark climate strategy

California EPA Secretary Jared Blumenfeld laid out plans for re-examining whether the program is likely to meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gases. It signals a shift in the administration's attitude and reflects problems posed by the pandemic-caused recession.

By

Rachel Becker

• June 24, 2020