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The proposed Ambler industrial mining road would have crossed nearly 3,000 waterways, including the Kobuk and Koyukuk rivers, which are important spawning grounds for the Yukon salmon. (National Wild and Scenic Rivers System)

Monday, April 22, 2024

Biden administration moves to protect Alaska wilderness

Conservation groups are rejoicing over the decision Friday by the Biden administration to reject a proposed mining road in Alaska. The 211-mile …

Small seasonal streams lost Clean Water Act protections last year when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the Biden administration in 'Sackett v. EPA.' (Derrick/Adobe Stock)

On World Water Day, advocates call on Congress to reinstate protections

Today is World Water Day, established 21 years ago by the United Nations to promote clean, fresh water. This year, advocates in the U.S. are …

An estimated 3 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an oil or gas well. (MSPhotographic/Adobestock)

CA referendum would lift ban on new oil wells near homes

A referendum on the ballot this fall gives California voters the chance to either uphold or reject a law which would require oil and gas wells to be s…

New EPA rules on vehicle emissions aim to save drivers money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs of electric and hybrid vehicles. (Tongpatong/Adobestock)

Environmental advocates cheer new EPA clean-car rules

Clean-air groups are calling the Biden administration's new rules on vehicle pollution the single biggest action the Environmental Protection Agency h…

A proposal before the California Air Resources Board would allow fossil fuel producers in California to buy credits from factory farms that use anaerobic digesters like these to extract methane from animal waste. (Rob Thomas/Adobe Stock)

Midwest community activists slam proposed CA emissions incentives

Community groups in the Midwest are worried a change in California carbon emissions policy could hurt quality of life in the nation's heartland…

Juntos Park in Los Angeles� Glassell Park neighborhood is being renovated with funds from the Bezos Earth Fund�s Greening America�s Cities Initiative by a local non-profit community building environmental organization, Mujeres De la Tierra.(LA County Parks and Rec.)<br />

'GreenLatinos' offers $1 million in grants for green spaces in L.A.

Up to $1 million in grants are up for grabs in Los Angeles for local groups to build or expand community parks, gardens and green spaces. The Bezos …

The Environmental Protection Agency is working on rules that will incentivize the transition to heavy-duty electric vehicles. (VanderWolf Images/Adobestock)

Lawmakers, advocates press EPA for strict emissions rule for heavy-duty trucks

As the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai wraps up, Democratic lawmakers and clean-air advocates are calling on the Environmental …

The Port of Long Beach is one of the busiest in the country and is serviced by thousands of trucks per day. (City of Long Beach)

As climate change conference opens, one CA city takes action

As world leaders gather in Dubai for the international conference on climate change, the City of Long Beach is acting on multiple fronts to help the …

A detail from an illustration created by Hopelab depicts climate anxiety among youth. (Julie Tinker/Hopelab)

Research links climate-change impacts to depression in high schoolers

New research found natural disasters and pollution linked to climate change are contributing factors to high rates of anxiety and depression among you…

Research shows people who live near parks or natural spaces have lower rates of disease and higher rates of social cohesion. (Yaya Ernst/Adobestock)

California launches new 'outdoors for all' strategy

Have you ever wanted to see the California redwoods, play in the Sierra snow, take a dip at the beach or just throw a family barbecue at the park? …

Activists are calling for climate action ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in San Francisco. (Bay Climate Action)<br />

Activists petition world leaders for climate action at CA trade summit

Climate activists will deliver a petition with 15,000 signatures today to trade negotiators ahead of next week's Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation For…

Advocates gathered at a Monday news conference in Moreno Valley, Calif., to highlight a court ruling against a large warehouse proposal. (Joycelyn Sida)

CA enviro groups celebrate ruling against big warehouse proposal

Local environmental activists are applauding a big win in court against a large warehouse project proposed in Moreno Valley. A Riverside Superior …

Funding for climate-friendly programs, including urban greening projects, is available via the Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan infrastructure law. (Ukasz/Adobestock). <br />

Climate change groups urge CA to prioritize nature-based solutions

Conservation advocates are pressing the state to set ambitious targets for nature-based climate solutions this week. The California Natural …

Deadline nears in CA, U.S., for climate proposals under 'green bank' initiative

Cities and nonprofits are racing to finish their applications for the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund - the deadline is October 12…

Efforts to clean up and naturalize the Pacoima wash will get a big boost with new funds from the

Los Angeles to Get $12 Million for Urban Greening Projects

The L.A. area is about to get $12-million dollars from Bezos Earth Fund's "Greening America's Cities" initiative. One of the first projects will be …

Fans of Popular Movies, Books Fuel Activism

By Britny Cordera for imagine5.com.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publ…

Events during Latino Conservation Week include hikes, park cleanups, fishing, online expeditions, roundtable discussions, scavenger hunts and film screenings. (Evelyn/Hispanic Access Foundation)

10th Annual Latino Conservation Week Starts This Weekend

Latino Conservation Week kicks off this weekend with dozens of events in California and almost 300 meetups across the nation. The program started ten …

Trees being clear-cut in a forest near Tuckahoe, North Carolina, for use in wood pellet production. (TV2 Denmark)

Hearing Tomorrow on Proposal to Build CA's First Large Wood Pellet Plants

Conservation groups are encouraging people to speak out at a virtual hearing tomorrow on two proposed wood pellet plants. They would be among the …

A new park, San Vicente Redwoods, opened up late last year near Santa Cruz, Calif., in an area previously ravaged by fire and logging. (Nadia Hamey)

Californians Celebrate National Trails Day by Volunteering This Saturday

This Saturday, June 3, thousands of Californians will be among hundreds of thousands of Americans heading into the great outdoors to celebrate …

A new ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court means ephemeral streams, such as this one in the mountains east of San Diego, are no longer protected by the Waters of the United States rule. (Chris Hunkeler/Flickr)

Conservation Groups Slam SCOTUS Ruling on Wetland Protections

The U.S. Supreme Court has gutted federal protections for much of the country's wetlands. The court found that the Waters of the United States rule…

Sage Lenier poses for a portrait in Honolulu, Hawaii, in Feb. 2023. She began teaching her course in 2018. (Michelle Mishina)

Environmental Education Evolves to Show People How to Make a Difference

By Jessica Kutz for The 19th.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public New…

Student leaders learn about the estuary near Morro Rock, which is part of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. (Kai Monge)

Latino Advocacy Week Promotes Environmental Justice

This week, Hispanic environmental advocates are heading to Washington, D.C., from around the country to engage lawmakers on issues affecting us all…

Almost 3 million people live within 3,200 feet of an operational oil well in California. (Last Chance Alliance)

Groups Mobilize to Defend Ban on New Oil and Gas Wells Near Homes

Supporters of a California law to ban oil and gas drilling within 3,200 feet of sensitive sites like homes and schools are gearing up to fight a new b…

A new report from the Hispanic Access Foundation finds that Los Angeles is one of the biggest hot spots for nature loss within communities of color. (Andy Dean/Adobestock)

Report: Improved Access to Nature Bolsters Biodiversity, Community

Promoting access to nature for underserved communities can improve quality of life while bolstering biodiversity and fighting climate change…

A 2021 study in the journal Science found that fine particulate matter, one of the main pollutants produced by gas-burning vehicles, is responsible for 85,000 to 200,000 excess premature deaths per year in the United States. (Aleksandr Kondratov/Adobestock)

Local Officials Call on Feds to Adopt CA Clean-Car Standards

Local officials concerned about climate change are calling on the Biden Environmental Protection Agency to adopt strict national clean car standards -…

The Yurok Tribe hopes that money from the Inflation Reduction Act will allow a big expansion of its forest restoration programs, like this one along the Trinity River in northern California. (Matt Mais/Yurok Tribe).

CA Groups, Tribes Praise New Bill, Call for Climate Emergency Declaration

As President Joe Biden gets ready to sign the Inflation Reduction Act into law, California conservation groups are hailing it as the country's …

The Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts an event today (Monday) as part of Latino Conservation Week, one of dozens of activities planned statewide. (Fastily/Wikimedia Commons)

9th Annual Latino Conservation Week Kicks Off Today

This week is a great chance to enjoy the great outdoors - with more than fifty free events, up and down the state of California, as part of Latino …

Conservation groups want to restore vegetation in coastal areas such as Elkhorn Slough near Monterey Bay, which sequesters carbon in the soil, helping to slow climate change. (Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve)

Bill Moves Forward to Lock More Carbon In the Soil

California has seen a lot of proposals to reduce carbon emissions; now a plan to scrub existing pollution is moving forward in the Legislature…

The massive Dixie Fire is one of many to ravage the Golden State in recent years. Climate advocates want more funds in the budget for smoke warning systems and community readiness. (Gajendra/Adobestock)

Advocates Press for CA Climate-Change Budget

The May revision of Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget is due at the end of this week, so conservation groups are speaking out, calling for what they call a …

The last seven years have been the hottest on record, according to Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service, leading to extended drought in the western states. (Anatoly Vartanov/Adobe Stock)

A Valentine Wish: Can Feds Pledge their Love...to the Earth?

This Valentine's Day, climate advocates want policymakers to show the planet some love. More than 450 local lawmakers from the nonprofit group …

Local, state and federal agencies are working to electrify the Caltrain cars that go from San Jose to San Francisco, which will lower carbon emissions, allow more ridership and reduce congestion. (Caltrain)

Post-Glasgow, Local Governments Join Race to Zero

LOS ANGELES -- A new report found American cities and counties should make it their goal to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 63% by 2030 in order to…

Indigenous people in Peru demonstrate against oil drilling in 2013. (Amazon Watch)

Report: Half of Oil from the Amazon Processed in California

LOS ANGELES -- California-based facilities are refining half of all the oil drilled in the Amazon rain forests, according to a new report by the …

The drought, linked to climate change, has led to massive wildfires that have burned almost 2.5 million acres this year in California alone. (Bureau of Land Management)

CA Leaders In Glasgow Press for Quick Action on Climate Change

OAKLAND, Calif. -- A contingent of climate leaders from California is pushing for substantive change at the climate change conference in Glasgow…

A new report predicts massive blazes such as the Dixie fire will become more common if the world fails to control carbon pollution. (NASA Earth Observatory)

Advocates: CA is Ground Zero in Wake of U.N. Climate Report

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Advocates contended a new United Nations report Climate change report United Nations 08/09/2021 waving red flags on climate …

The Kern County Board of Supervisors recently passed an ordinance to fast-track up to 2,700 new oil and gas wells per year over the next 15 years. (National Parks Conservation Association)

Clean-Air Advocates Press to End Oil, Gas Drilling Faster

KERN COUNTY, Calif. -- Environmental-justice advocates are calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to wind down oil and gas drilling in California by 2035…

Bernadette Zambrano saves seeds for Sogorea Te' Land Trust, a group based in Oakland that works to return lands to indigenous peoples. (Ines Ixierda)

New "Faithlands" Toolkit Helps Religious Groups Put Land to Good Use

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Religious groups often own large properties but don't have the expertise to make them work for the community. Now, an online tool …

$The Department of Conservation's Geologic Energy Management Division will stop issuing permits for new fracking wells in 2024. (Jens Lambert Photography/iStockphoto)$

Governor’s Fracking Ban Gets Mixed Reaction from Climate-Change Groups

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Clean-air advocates say they have mixed emotions about California's plan to phase out fracking. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday …

Many cycling groups aim to make biking more accessible to communities of color. (SF Bicycle Coalition)

CA Cycling Groups Promote Community During Pandemic

By Marianne Dhenin for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

A state Senate committee is considering two bills today to reduce air and water pollution from oil and gas facilities. (Leonid Ikan/Adobestock)

CA Lawmakers Tackle Energy, Environmental Justice Issues

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Two bills to combat pollution from the oil and gas industry will get hearings today in Sacramento, but clean-air advocates say …

Kern County produces about 70% of California's oil and more than 90% of its natural gas. However, 20% of county residents live at or below the federal poverty line. (Zhengzaishuru/iStockphoto)

Kern County Clean-Air Advocates Plead for State Intervention

KERN COUNTY, Calif. -- Groups fighting for clean air and against climate change are calling for the State of California to step in after the Kern …

The Sand to Snow National Monument is a haven for outdoor recreation for families in the Coachella Valley. (Robert Fanger/Hispanic Access Foundation)

Poll: CA Latinos Overwhelmingly Support Conservation Measures

LOS ANGELES -- A new poll shows Latino voters in California are even more supportive than the general population of policies that protect public lands…

Local residents protest a proposed gas station in the Marin County city of Novato. (Karen Preuss)

Movement Grows to Stop New Gas Stations in CA

NOVATO, Calif. -- The city of Novato will vote tonight on whether to allow Costco to build a huge new gas station, despite strong opposition from …

The South Fork Trinity River is one of many places that would receive greater protections under a new wilderness bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. (Jeff Morris/Pew Environment Group)

Big Wilderness Protection Bill Passes U.S. House, Heads to Senate

SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS, Calif. -- A massive public-lands bill, now headed to the U.S. Senate, would better protect more than three million acres of …

This map shows the part of the Inglewood oil field that lies within Culver City, close to several neighborhoods. (Baker & O'Brien, Inc.)

As CA Considers Fracking Ban, Culver City is One Step Ahead

CULVER CITY, Calif. -- State lawmakers proposed a bill, Senate Bill 467, to ban fracking last week, but one city, Culver City, has already taken a …

$A bill would ban new fracking projects in California. (Jens Lambert/iStockphotos)$

Climate Groups Praise New Bill to Ban Fracking, Limit Oil Drilling in CA

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Groups that fight climate change are applauding a bill introduced Tuesday to halt new permits for fracking starting next year…

Denny Khamphanthong, now with the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, grew up near the Chevron refinery in Richmond, Calif. (Federica Armstrong/YES! Magazine)

Groups Question Effectiveness of CA Cap-and-Trade Program

By Julia Rosen for Yes! Media. Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter - California News Service Reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service …

The Iron Gate Dam on the Klamath River near Hornbrook, Calif., is one of four that will be removed in 2023 as part of a new agreement. (Matthew Wier/CalTrout)

CA, OR Kickstart Removal of 4 Dams on Klamath River

HORNBROOK, Calif. -- The states of California and Oregon are stepping in to revive a Klamath River dam-removal project that has been in the works for …

Gas appliances in homes and buildings are responsible for almost a quarter of California's greenhouse gas emissions. (Donnie B/Morguefile)

Groups Press CA to Ban Natural Gas in New Building Construction

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Climate advocates are pressing the California Energy Commission (CEC) to ban natural gas in new construction, starting in 2022…

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