News & Commentary

Bringing the Noise

July 13, 2015 Latest NewsArcticAlisa Opar

How will Shell’s Arctic drilling affect marine mammals in the Chukchi Sea?

Innovation Has Not Run Dry!

July 8, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaAlisa Opar

As summer heat compounds four years of drought, Californians are coping with water shortages in some wacky and smart (and desperate) ways.

Protestors Ahoy!

June 16, 2015 Latest NewsSeattleBrian Palmer

Seattle's “kayaktivists” finally draw the government’s attention to Arctic drilling.

Has Oil Spill Cleanup Improved at All?

May 27, 2015 ExplainerCalifornia, WestBrian Palmer

Why are we cleaning up the Santa Barbara oil spill with shovels and buckets?

Fearing the Burn

May 26, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Western states prepare for an “explosive” wildfire season.

I Hate Reruns

May 22, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaClara Chaisson

The Santa Barbara coast has yet another oil spill, thanks to a company that screws up royally—repeatedly.

A Beach of an Oil Spill

May 20, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaClara Chaisson

Santa Barbara’s pristine coastline is now coated in crude.

A Delicate Dance

April 21, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Conservation efforts kept the bistate sage grouse off the Endangered Species List. Will they work for the rest of the grouses?

Climate Change Vs. the Blob

April 14, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaBrian Palmer

A new study says a stubborn blob of warm ocean water is exacerbating the California drought.

Bathroom Bandits

April 13, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaKatherine Ellen Foley

Law-breaking urinals? California's water rules will force new fixtures to toe the water line.

Wild Idea

April 3, 2015 Latest NewsArcticClara Chaisson

The president is asking Congress to designate crucial Arctic habitat as wilderness.

Say Cheese, Skunk Bear

February 25, 2015 Latest NewsMontanaAlisa Opar

For wolverine research in Montana, it’s all about getting a belly shot of those scrappy recluses.

Shell Game

February 19, 2015 Latest NewsArcticBrian Palmer

The Department of the Interior says there’s a 75 percent chance of a major oil spill in the Arctic—and it’s willing to take that chance.

Lord of the Tree Rings

February 18, 2015 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

Benjamin Cook looks at ancient trees to forecast future droughts. His latest findings are not good news for the West.

California, Here Dry Come!

February 13, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaBrian Palmer

A new study shows that the current California drought is nothing compared to what’s coming.

Acid Attack

January 23, 2015 Latest NewsHawaiiJason Bittel

Invasive ants are harrying Hawaii’s native seabirds and causing horrifying deformities in their young.

Out of the Woods

January 13, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaAlisa Opar

To ensure its survival, California’s only native freshwater turtle will be wintering in captivity this year.

Cause Célèbre

January 13, 2015 Latest NewsLos AngelesAlexis Sobel Fitts

An L.A.-based eco-fashion line counts A-listers among its biggest fans.

Two Steps Forward…

December 22, 2014 Latest NewsWestAlisa Opar

A major bill passed by Congress last week included good news for conservation in the West—and some serious setbacks.

Can't Touch This

December 16, 2014 Latest NewsAlaska

President Obama just protected the world’s largest sockeye salmon fishery from oil and gas drilling.