Climate Change

Environment

Can California put cars in the rear-view mirror?

It's as hard for drivers to contemplate life without cars as it is for officials to discuss it.

By Julie Cart • August 15, 2019

WhatMatters

Blowback on ethnic studies, mental illness, fighting to save forests, and cannabis

A look at mental illness through the lens of families. New ethnic studies curriculum met with criticism. Jerry Brown's school funding formula is graded.

By Dan Morain • August 9, 2019

Economy

Seabirds eating plastic. Recyclers struggling. This is what California’s waste crisis looks like

Can Californians continue recycling? It’ll take reviving the market for recycled materials and fewer dirty diapers in the blue bin.

By Rachel Becker • August 1, 2019

California Wildfires

Worried about wildfires, Californians ready to spend, vote to fight climate change

Californians want the state to lead the world in fighting climate change, according to a new poll — and many are ready to tackle the problem on the road, at the ballot box, and even with their pocketbooks. 

By Rachel Becker • July 29, 2019

WhatMatters

Another mass shooting, crushing trade wars, driverless cars and Trump’s mean tweet

California wine sales are being battered by the China trade war. Lorena Gonzalez gets trolled on vaccines. Dems rise in OC, California approaches a population milestone and Trump trashes ... a picnic?

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • July 29, 2019

Environment

California’s emissions deal with automakers dodges Trump EPA plan to gut rules

California made its own tailpipe emissions deal with four major carmakers, officials said Thursday, ignoring Trump administration threats to roll back Obama-era vehicle standards.

By Rachel Becker • July 25, 2019

WhatMatters

Battle for PG&E, a coming housing crisis, transit funding, oil divestment and child care

Battle for control of PG&E takes shape. Pay raises missing in budget increase for child care. Professors want UC to divest from oil and gas industry.

By Dan Morain and Barbara Harvey • July 19, 2019

Climate Change

California’s pollution enforcers would like to save tropical forests. But at what cost?

California’s climate change enforcers are grappling with the thorniest of controversies: how to prevent the planet’s tropical forests from disappearing. The question they aren’t ready to answer—at least not yet—is what focusing on far-away forests could mean for pollution at home.

By Rachel Becker • July 8, 2019

Newsletters

Newsom’s learning curve, breaks for low-wage workers, and another city’s homeless spike

State budget provides learning curve for Newsom. Earned Income Tax Credit more than doubles. Canada, California join in climate fight.

By Dan Morain • June 27, 2019

Commentary

Stop raiding California’s cap-and-trade funding

Fabian Núñez: Important progress may be threatened by diversions of cap-and-trade funds for investments that are barely related to the original intent of AB 32. The last thing our state and the planet can afford is for cap-and-trade funds to be turned into a slush fund for pet projects that do little or nothing to improve our environment.

By Guest Commentary • June 26, 2019