environment

Commentary

What can help get us through this drought

With very little water available, investments in our state’s water delivery systems coupled with conservation, storage and reuse are critical.

By

Guest Commentary

• April 23, 2021

Drought conditions visible at Lake Mendocino in January. Photo by Bobby Cochran Photography courtesy of Russian River Flood Control, & Water Conservation Improvement District

Environment

Governor declares drought emergency in northwest counties

The Russian River watershed is hard hit by lack of rainfall. The emergency order will allow state officials to relax some restrictions on reservoirs and assist endangered fish.

By

Rachel Becker

• April 21, 2021

Oil pumpjacks near Fellows, in Kern County. Photo via iStock

Climate Change

Has California given up its climate ambitions?

I’ve led the state Democratic Party’s environmental caucus for eight years, but I am alienated by leadership that prefers jobs on a dying planet.

By

Guest Commentary

• April 19, 2021

Commentary

Water infrastructure package needed to deal with drought

California’s water infrastructure is deteriorating and in need of the kind of financial investment that only the federal government can afford.

By

Guest Commentary

• April 19, 2021

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

Commentary

A reminder about supplies and demands

Californians should remember that having abundant goods and services requires raw materials and industrial processing.

By

Dan Walters

• April 18, 2021

An irrigation system seen from the road outside of Adin, a small town in Modoc County, in July 2019. In response to increased drought risk, farmers and ranchers in all 58 California counties will become eligible for loans to assist with loss of crops, trees, land and livestock. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Environment

5 things you need to know about federal drought aid in California

The USDA declared California a natural disaster due to its severe drought, triggering aid for growers and ranchers who supply much of the nation’s food. Why has the federal government stepped in to help with California’s water woes?

By

Rachel Becker

and

Julie Cart

• April 15, 2021

Gov. Newsom listens to reporter questions during a press conference at Ruby Bridges Elementary school in Alameda on March 16, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

WhatMatters

Yet again, a state ban on fracking goes down

Just when Gov. Gavin Newsom sheds one political headache, another emerges. A controversial bill that would have banned fracking and other oil extraction methods and prevented gas wells from operating near homes, schools and health care facilities died in the state Legislature on Tuesday — freeing the governor from having to take a stance on […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• April 14, 2021

Close up view of a bin of green crabs pulled from a single trap. In some cases there can be close to 100 crabs per trap in years of very high numbers. Photo courtesy of Ted Grosholz

Environment

Unwelcome and tough to evict: California’s costly, uphill battle against invasive species

Like house guests overstaying their welcome, foreign crabs have been nearly impossible to boot out of California. A new strategy, born of failure, may help combat armies of invasive plants and animals that are preying on vulnerable native creatures.

By

Julie Cart

• April 12, 2021