Posts Tagged: climate change

News

Amid climate change, a question: What’s the future of California rice?

A harvester in a drought-stricken field of northern California. (Photo: TFoxFoto, via Shutterstock)

Planted in spring, farmers drain their fields in August, and they drive big, loud harvesters into them in September, gently separating the rice stalks from the grain, and blowing the harvest into bankout wagons that they tow beside them. On average, each acre produces 8,000 pounds of rice, which is a greater yield than most of the world’s rice growing regions. But this September, 300,000 of California’s 550,000 acres of rice lay barren—over half the state’s rice crop.

Opinion

There is a critical need to protect our public lands and rivers

The Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, a 932-acre park in the Sierra Pelona Mountains in northern L.A. County.(Photo: Patricia Elaine Thomas, via Shutterstock)

From my home in Ventura County, I can see the rugged hills and green oak trees of the Los Padres National Forest. I grew up in this area and have spent countless days exploring my wild backyard.

As a kid, these lands were a constant in my life and I thought they would always remain

News

PPIC survey: Economy, inflation, jobs are top concerns

The state Capitol in Sacramento. (Photo: PPIC)

The midterm campaign season enters its final stretch after Labor Day — in the context of rising consumer prices and higher interest rates that have created financial turbulence and uncertainty about job growth. Meanwhile, Californians are feeling the impact of climate change: severe drought, heat waves, and wildfires. Recently passed federal and state legislation aims to address these issues ahead of the highly consequential Nov. 8 election.

Opinion

As climate change deepens, we need Diablo Canyon more than ever

The Diablo Canyon nuclear power station in San Luis Obispo County near Avila Beach. (Photo: Wikipedia

OPINION: Gov. Newsom’s announcement that his Administration would ask the California Legislature to authorize continued operation of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant was welcomed by many energy experts. Keeping the plant open would improve the resilience of the state’s grid and decrease the likelihood of blackouts.

Opinion

Keep cool, California: Heat pumps are a good way to go

A building with window air conditioners, which are not as efficient as heat pumps. (Photo: David Crockett, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: Unlike states like Texas and Florida, where only 1% of homes lack A.C., roughly a quarter of California homes are not equipped with central cooling. Studies show that the access to cooling in homes is highly correlated with heat-related mortality – and low-income households are less likely to have the cooling they need to stay safe.

Opinion

High court ruling on Prop. 12 could impact climate, consumers

Pigs confined in cages, prior to slaughtering and processing. (Photo: vinsenssandy, via Sutterstock)

OPINION:  A case before the U.S. Supreme Court — derived from a California ballot measure — could decide the fate of current and future state laws related to the climate crisis, harmful compounds in consumer products, and even the safety of baby food. The case involves Proposition 12, which was passed in landslide fashion in 2018 by 63% of California voters.

Opinion

Dams, a key part of state infrastructure, must be kept safe

O'Shaughnessy Dam in Hetch Hetchy Valley, Yosemite National Park, is a key source of water to the SF Bay Area. (Photo: SveKo, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: We applaud Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature for taking bold action last year to fund climate resilience and related water infrastructure in the fiscal year 2021-’22 state budget. In light of the current budget surplus, funding for climate resilience and water infrastructure should remain a key priority for investment in California.

Opinion

California’s young face a bleak future without high-speed rail

An artist's rendering of California's proposed bullet train. (Image: California High Speed Rail Authority)

OPINION: We can’t afford to wait any longer. Climate change is already taking its toll on our health and safety. We need to act with urgency to transform our transportation system with electrified high-speed rail as its centerpiece. California’s leaders need to show we’re serious

Opinion

Community clean energy greatly helps those left behind

Solar panels clustered in an urban environment to provide energy to surrounding buildings, homes. (Photo: Gengwit Wattakawigran. via Shutterstock)

OPINION: All Californians have the right to access affordable clean energy. However, the majority of Californians are unable to take advantage of solar energy generated at their home because they are renters or homeowners without a suitable roof. These significant barriers are not adequately addressed through California’s existing clean energy programs.

Opinion

Fixes needed now in California’s housing, climate-change policies

Masked youths walk down a street in Pacific Palisades, as a brush fire burns beyond the houses. (Photo: BrittanyNY, via Shutterstock)

OPINION: California is laying the groundwork to transition millions of homes and buildings from fossil fuel heat to clean energy in coming decades, but the policies guiding our state’s investment in affordable housing are pushing California in the exact opposite direction — by penalizing developers who want to build sustainably.

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