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Perspectives

Discover intersectional viewpoints from activists and artists on the environmental issues of the moment.

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Expert Blogs

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Let Us Breathe! A Vision for a Healthy Oxnard

Expert BlogCaliforniaNatalia Ospina, Heather Kryczka
Learn how an industrial project threatens a community-led vision for health and justice in a coastal California community, and support residents by submitting a comment letter by Feb. 14th.

Tenant Protections, Good Jobs Key to Decarbonizing Buildings

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaMichele Knab Hasson, Merrian Borgeson

In Los Angeles, buildings are the top source of carbon pollution, and the city is taking bold steps to end these harmful emissions completely by 2050. As city leaders and other stakeholders consider how to achieve these emissions reductions equitably…

LA Must Tackle Clean Buildings & Affordable Housing Together

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaStefan Schaffer, Michele Knab Hasson, Megan Ross

Currently, LA’s building stock is responsible for 43% of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions. A recent report dives deep into the complex relationship between getting fossil fuels out of buildings and creating and preserving affordable housing in Los Angeles…

San José Council Votes to Go Carbon Neutral by 2030

Expert BlogCalifornia, San Jose (California)Elizabeth Stampe, Sarah Elkotbeid

San Jose, the nation’s 10th largest city, has emerged as a climate leader in recent years, including by becoming the biggest city in the United States to make almost all new buildings all-electric. But the City’s work isn’t done, as…

Portland POEM Project Models Equitable Transportation Plans

Expert BlogPortland (Oregon), OregonElizabeth Stampe

As Americans readjust to life as our communities reopen, we’re unfortunately also seeing more traffic and tailpipe pollution. But Portland, Oregon, is looking to chart a different path forward.

House Committee Hears Testimony on California Oil Spill

Expert BlogUnited States, CaliforniaLauren Kubiak

The only way to prevent future spills is to stop issuing new leases and ramp down offshore oil production. Every offshore spill begins with an oil or gas lease.

California Reps. Hold Fossil Fuel Industry to Account

Expert BlogCaliforniaValerie Cleland

House Democrats are working to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for its harm to the environment and public health. Over the last ten days, they’ve held a committee markup, a hearing, and a field hearing.

California Oil Disaster Brings New Urgency to Calls to Ban Drilling

Expert BlogCalifornia, United StatesValerie Cleland

We have to transition away from fossil fuels. That’s why it’s essential that Congress pass budget reconciliation with offshore drilling provisions—and enact President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda.

LA County Takes Historic Steps to Phase Out Oil Drilling

Expert BlogCalifornia, Los AngelesDamon Nagami

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to start the process of phasing out oil drilling in unincorporated parts of the County, including within the largest urban oil field in the country.

Living Among the Diesel Trucks: My Environmental Injustice Story

PerspectivesCaliforniaAndrea Guerra
To a college student who grew up surrounded by heavy truck traffic, warehouses, and commercial hubs in one of California’s most polluted communities, the push to electrify transportation is more than just urgent health policy—it’s personal.

Port of LA Revives the Environmentally Unjust SCIG Railyard

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaHeather Kryczka

Air pollution from SCIG would exacerbate health problems, including asthma rates, cancer rates, and premature deaths, for people who are already overburdened by diesel pollution associated with the nearby San Pedro Bay Ports.