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.

Environment

California Fire Threat High Despite Progress Near Tahoe

The Associated Press

Fire officials say California could be on track for one of its worst fire seasons ever as hot, dry conditions across the north raise the threat of new fires or existing ones flaring into dangerous life.
KPBS Midday Edition

Conference: Impact Of Climate Change On What Gets Built Where And How

Maureen Cavanaugh

Emilyn Mohebbi

On Wednesday, the San Diego/Tijuana District of the Urban Land Institute begins a series of meetings covering how our region can respond to the increased risk of wildfires and other aspects of climate change.
KPBS Midday Edition

San Diego Pledged To Shift Away From Cars. So Why Is It Still Widening Roads?

Andrew Bowen

San Diego has plans to widen El Cajon Boulevard with a new right-turn lane for motorists. That's despite years of commitments from elected officials to make streets safer and more pedestrian friendly.
Health

Climate Change Is The Greatest Threat To Public Health, Top Medical Journals Warn

Lauren Sommer

With the global pandemic still in the spotlight, more than 200 leading health journals say climate change is an even more urgent threat.
National

Satellite Photos Show Just How Bad The Flooding From Ida Has Been In New Jersey

Deepa Shivaram

Satellite photos taken over the state show how record-breaking rainfall led to stunning levels of flooding along the Raritan River — flooding that submerged neighborhoods, roads and parking lots.
Environment

Our Future On A Hotter Planet Means More Climate Disasters Happening Simultaneously

Dan Charles

Simultaneous disasters, like the wildfires in California and Hurricane Ida this week, are happening more often as the planet heats up. Emergency managers are preparing for that future.
Public Safety

All National Forests In California Are Closed

Erik Anderson

Federal officials closed national forests, including the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County, to the public because they are worried about the threat of wildfires raging out of control.
National

Why The South Is Decades Ahead Of The West In Wildfire Prevention

Lauren Sommer

Another destructive fire season has Western states searching for ways to prevent it. The Southeast just might have the answers: setting controlled fires before the wildfires come.
Environment

Lithium Fuels Hopes For Revival On California's Largest Lake

Elliot Spagat / Associated Press

Demand for electric vehicles has shifted investments into high gear to extract lithium from geothermal wastewater around California’s dying Salton Sea.
National

Photos: Scenes From Hurricane Ida's Devastating Path

Michele Abercrombie

Nicole Werbeck

Virginia Lozano

Bill Chappell

Photos: The Louisiana coast is left with serious damage after Hurricane Ida. Remnants of Ida brought historic flooding to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.