Science & Environment | Exploring the intersection of urban life, science and the environment

Humans are warming climate, government researchers say

The U.S. government's most comprehensive climate report to date is at odds with the statements made by President Trump and his Cabinet. Christopher Joyce | NPR
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Recent Environment & Science coverage

What Exactly Is A Red Flag Warning?

David Wagner |

They're some of the most dreaded words in fire-prone California. By what does the term "red flag warning" actually mean?

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Councilman calls for investigation of Playa del Rey gas field

Sharon McNary |

The Aliso Canyon gas leak broke out near Porter Ranch nearly four years ago. On Tuesday a City Councilman called for an investigation of a different underground gas field after troubling images surfaced on video.

Audio

When Climate Change Confronts Chinese Restaurants In the San Gabriel Valley

Josie Huang |

California has set a goal of going carbon-neutral by 2045.

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RIP Pacific Coast Highway

Jacob Margolis |

You may not know this, but oftentimes in newsrooms we write obituaries ahead of time so that they're ready to publish when the person passes away. But what if the obit wasn't for a person, but for a place that's been the home of magical memories for generations?

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The Perseids are back for their 2019 show

Jacob Margolis |

It's August, which means the spectacular Perseids meteor shower is upon us. That said, they're not going to be nearly as bright as they could be given the moon.

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Crumbling cliffs could become more common with climate change

Jacob Margolis |

When you're laying on the beach, beware of the crumbling cliffs above you. They could be deadly.

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Years After The Gas Blowout, Recriminations Continue In Porter Ranch

Sharon McNary |

It’s been nearly four years since the smell and chemicals from a ruptured gas well at an underground storage field forced thousands of Porter Ranch residents to leave their neighborhood for months.

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More Environment & Science

As Climate Changes, Taxpayers Will Shoulder Larger U.S. Payouts To Farmers

Dan Charles | NPR |

That's good for farmers but bad for taxpayers, who subsidize government-backed crop insurance. The fate of research that forecasts these costs is in doubt as economists and scientists leave the USDA.

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City Urges Residents To Make Neighborhood-Wide Plans For Earthquakes

Gabriel Cortes |

The City of L.A. wants residents to register for workshops that help neighborhoods prepare for earthquakes and other disasters.

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New Law Allows Use Of Personal Carryout Containers

Jessica Flores |

Festival-goers and restaurant patrons will soon be able to bring their own reusable containers to carry out their favorite foods and beverages.

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How A Grocery Store's Plan To Shame Customers Into Using Reusable Bags Backfired

Serena McMahon | NPR |

A Canadian grocery store put embarrassing slogans on plastic bags, such as "Wart Ointment Wholesale" and "Into the Weird Adult Video Emporium" to get customers to use reusable shopping bags.

Why Wasn't There A ShakeAlert Message Before The Quake?

Sharon McNary |

The shaking in Los Angeles didn't reach the magnitude target to trigger the app. Officials say they'll lower the threshold for future quakes.

Audio

Pasadena Fire Department Sprays Fire Retardant Ahead of July Fourth

Gabriel Cortes |

In an effort to prevent Fourth of July fireworks from sparking fires, the Pasadena Fire Department began its annual campaign of spraying fire retardant on areas covered with brush, starting with a slope near the Rose Bowl.

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Top Clean-Air Official Plans To Step Down From EPA Post Amid Ethics Probe

Vanessa Romo | NPR |

Bill Wehrum, who last week scored a victory for coal industry supporters by rolling back Obama-era power plant emissions rules, is leaving his post at the end of the month.

Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, is covered in table salt

Jacob Margolis |

Travel 390 million miles away from Earth to Jupiter’s moon Europa and you’ll find something more often found on dining tables. Salt. That’s according to a new study from researchers at Caltech and JPL.

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The Decision That Could Radically Clean Up Long Beach's Dirty Coast

Lita Martinez |

It's a wave-killer, a protective barrier, and an unlikely marine habitat -- but that could change.

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