Environment

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has ordered CAL FIRE to increase staffing for what's predicted to be a nasty wildfire season. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

California is mobilizing its firefighters as the summer wildfire threat escalates. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking the CAL FIRE agency to prepare now for potential wildfires.

 Group Says Solar Power Could Meet U.S. Energy Needs

An environmental group says California could generate enough energy from solar power plants to meet current electricity needs. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

 Groups Want Public Hearing on San Onofre Toll Road

A controversial plan to build a toll road through San Onofre State Beach Park is in the hands of the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Environmental groups want a public hearing in California before the Commerce Secretary makes a decision. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

 Sampling San Diego's Smoggy Skies

Scientists at UC-San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography are using an unmanned aircraft to sample Southern California's air. They're looking to find out what's in our smog and where it comes from. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

 Borrego Springs Seeks to Become a Dark-Sky Community

If you want to see the Milky Way, you might want to head to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which is considered one of the best places in the country to star gaze. Now, the village of Borrego Springs is hoping to become only the second place on the globe named a Dark-Sky Community where preservation of the night sky is achieved by controlling light pollution.

 Legendary Explorer Inspires Others to Fight Global Warming

British polar explorer takes on global warming by traveling the world to inspire people to make a difference. We hear his best argument for why we should all get involved in fighting the problem.

The San Diego County Water Authority is taking its conservation message to radio and TV. The advertising campaign is intended to drive home the message that we live in dry times. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has details.

 San Diego Water Supplies Drying Up

The final snow survey of the year in Northern California shows much of the early season snow is gone. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more now on what that means for our water supply.

 Creating New Energy Solutions and ‘Green-collar’ Jobs

Can private enterprise solve our environmental problems? Some people believe they can not only do that, but create a lot of jobs and wealth in the process. We ask what are the "green-collar" jobs, how you create them, and what kinds of industries San Diego might be best positioned to create.

 Tight Water Supplies Hurt San Diego County Growers

The recent heat wave put San Diego County farmers in a management quandary about irrigation water. A cooling trend now underway helps, but growers are already making tough choices about their crops. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce explains.

 San Diego County Air Quality Gets Failing Grade

The American Lung Association is out with its report card for the nation's air quality. As KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce tells us, San Diego and Imperial Counties are failing the sniff test.

 San Diego Fire Officials Expect Long Hot Summer

Summer is two months away, but San Diego fire officials are worried. Four brush fires last weekend may be the start of a long fire season. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

 Nasty Fire Season Expected in San Diego County

Summer is two months away, but fire officials in San Diego are worried. Four brush fires last weekend may be a sign of things to come. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

 California Expected to Meet Summer Energy Demand

California should have enough power to keep the lights on and air conditioners humming this summer. The operators of the state's power grid say some voluntary conservation measures may be needed in Southern California to reduce strain on the system. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

 Environmentalist Talks the Price of Pollution

What's the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emission? The president of the Environmental Defense Fund thinks the marketplace holds the key. Fred Krupp has written a book called “Earth the Sequel: the Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming.” We talk with him about how businesses can capitalize upon the push for cleaner energy and reduce global warming at the same time.

 Schwarzenegger Administration Pledges to Fight Proposed EPA Regulation

California may end up taking the federal government to court once again. The Schwarzenegger Administration is pledging to fight a federal proposal that would prevent the state from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from cars. From Sacramento, Marianne Russ reports.

Four multimillion dollar homes in San Diego's upscale La Jolla area have been evacuated as a precaution after a landslide cut a 30-foot-deep crevice in a nearby canyon.

 Native Plants Recovering from October Wildfires

Last October's wildfires ravaged much of San Diego County's native plants and animals. The fires burned nearly 600 undeveloped acres that are part of the Wild Animal Park near Escondido. This week a team of ecologists are taking stock of how the burned area is recovering. KPBS Environmental Reporter Ed Joyce has more.

 San Diego Drowning in Junk Mail

Junk mail sent to San Diego city residents each year would cover the entire football field at Qualcomm Stadium - 45 feet deep. KPBS Reporter Ed Joyce has more.