Climate Change

The urgency of addressing human causes of climate change has long been apparent. To amplify this issue that's paramount to us all, KPBS has launched a Climate Change Desk to step up our coverage of this existential threat including reported stories and interviews with experts and newsmakers.

Politics

California Democrats threaten to block Newsom priorities over imperiled climate deal

Alejandro Lazo and Yue Stella Yu

Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed new carbon market rules that could drastically shrink the state’s funding for climate projects, threatening the spending deal he struck with legislators last year. Senate Democrats aren’t having it.
National

Trump is taking aim at forest and wildfire research just as the West is poised to burn

Kirk Siegler

The president is trying to downsize the U.S Forest Service and eliminate wildfire and smoke research as the American West is facing a potentially epic summer fire season.
Science & Technology

Whales are showing up in San Francisco Bay. New ship alerts could help protect them

Lauren Sommer

The changing climate is driving whales into San Francisco Bay, where ship strikes have been deadly. A new camera system could help ships and ferries steer clear.
Politics

The Forest Service wants to close research hubs to save money. That could be costly

Chiara Eisner

The Forest Service is trying to shut down research hubs because it says it needs to live within its means. But the agency plans to close facilities that cost less than $1 to rent while keeping open one that costs $1 million.
These World Cup games are most at risk for dangerously hot weather

Rebecca Hersher

Rahul Mukherjee

Dangerously hot, humid weather is likely at many of the 2026 World Cup soccer venues. We crunched the numbers to see which matches are most at risk.
Economy

How cellphone carriers prepare for hurricane season with AI, drones and 'cows'

Ayana Archie

Hurricane season is expected to be milder than usual this year. But that's not stopping cell phone companies from pulling out all the stops.
'At what point does it make sense to ditch a gas car for an electric vehicle?'

Jeff Brady

"At what point does it make sense to ditch a gas car for an EV?" NPR listener Guadalupe Higuera of Phoenix asked this question and worked with Climate Desk reporter Jeff Brady to answer it.
The movie 'Pressure' leans into the drama of high-stakes weather forecasts

Rebecca Hersher

The new movie tells a story about how good meteorology can literally win wars. It also takes us back in time, to when the United States was at a disadvantage when it came to weather science.
International

An exceptionally early heat wave shatters records and brings deaths in Europe

The Associated Press

Temperature records are breaking and triggering government warnings, with London hitting 95 degrees the past two days. Experts say unpredictable and extreme weather is becoming more frequent.
Environment

Disaster season is coming. Here are 3 things you can do to prepare

Michael Copley

Insurance is supposed to soften the blow when homes burn or flood. With some preparation, you can better your odds of a smoother recovery if disaster strikes.