Offshore wind farm at sunset. Image by Bjoern WylezichOPINION – With a recent vote by the California Public Utilities Commission to authorize purchase of up to 7.6 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, California is increasingly committed to a plan to pursue renewable energy offshore. The success of this endeavor hinges on a robust scientific understanding of the technology’s potential impacts.
Workers clean up an oil spill at Huntington Beach. (Photo: Joseph Sohm, via Shutterstock)OPINION: As an avid surfer and freediver, I have experienced the wonders of our coastline and have had the privilege to see up close what many never get to encounter underwater. The recent oil spill in Huntington Beach should be a wakeup call to all Californians that we need to pay attention to what’s happening to our coast as we address the climate crisis.
Big Sur at sunset. (Photo: S. Borisov, via Shutterstock)OPINION: As policymakers prepare to vote in June on the new state budget while facing a massive budget deficit, we want to highlight a source of solutions largely absent from the discussion which can help spur an equitable economic recovery for all Californians.
A view of the Pacific Ocean along the Big Sur coast in northern California. (Photo: Mariusz S. Jurgielewicz, via Shutterstock)OPINION: California has distinguished itself as a climate leader, from reducing carbon emissions to managing wildfire risk and preparing coastal cities for rising seas. But our action to date has largely stopped at the shoreline, despite the fact that some of the first and worst climate impacts are being felt in the ocean.
Plastic pollution in the ocean.(Photo: Rich Carey, via Shutterstock)When former Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law curbing the distribution of plastic straws in sit-down restaurants, it received wide – and largely favorable — attention. But to some, there was a surprise: The new law continues to allow fast-food restaurants to use plastic straws. Many people believe that the state should make all eateries use biodegradable straws, especially fast-food restaurants, which are the largest consumers of plastic straws.
This time, it’s the Arts Council that benefits