Climate Change and the West
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California's carbon market may succeed where others have failed
The Golden State's new cap-and-trade program aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions while avoiding the pitfalls of similar attempts.
by Brendon Bosworth, Apr 19, 2013 -
Climate change turns an already troubled ski industry on its head
California's Mammoth Mountain provides a case study on the uncertainty of the ski business, and how global warming threatens to make it even more unpredictable.
by Greg Hanscom, Mar 04, 2013 -
A new normal for snow
The dry 2000s means snow trackers have to adjust "normal" downward.
by Sarah Jane Keller, Feb 04, 2013 -
Oil and gas companies pour money into research universities
In the midst of the nation’s current oil and gas frenzy and controversies over fracking, energy company contributions to schools are raising questions about academic integrity.
by Joshua Zaffos, Jan 22, 2013 -
An underwater forest reveals the story of a historic megadrought
Scientists find a climatic archive at the bottom of an alpine lake in California's Sierra Nevada.
by Brendon Bosworth, Dec 25, 2012 -
Date with a climate-change denier
A first (and last) date with someone who doesn't believe in global warming.
by Megan Kimble, Dec 21, 2012 -
Can the oyster industry survive ocean acidification?
As fossil fuel emissions lower the ocean’s pH, Pacific Northwest shellfish growers face an uncertain future.
by Brendon Bosworth, Dec 14, 2012 -
Seattle-based artist paints portraits of a melting world
Maria Coryell-Martin uses 'expeditionary art' to educate people about climate change.
by Eric Wagner, Nov 30, 2012 -
Economics, not environmental regs, are battering coal power
If King Coal wants a boost, it should go after "Drill Baby Drill."
by Jonathan Thompson, Nov 12, 2012 -
What scientists are learning from wildfire in New Mexico
New Mexico's Gila National Forest is a good natural laboratory for studying the effects of wildfire.
by Neil LaRubbio, Nov 14, 2012 -
Costly new geothermal technology could edge out fossil fuels
A new form of geothermal energy has the potential to revolutionize U.S. power production, if costs come down.
by Nate Seltenrich, Nov 21, 2012 -
Voters shape energy policy by choosing utility regulators
Races for seats on state commissions that oversee utilities are among the most important elections you’ve never heard of. They could decide the future of renewable energy in Montana and Arizona this year.
by Ray Ring, Nov 02, 2012 -
Our survival depends on fighting climate change
Stopping global climate change requires an effort that’s the moral equivalent of war.
by Tom Bell, Sep 28, 2012 -
Pondering change in the Great Basin
Paleontology and geology at Summer Lake, an ancient lake bed in Oregon, have shown the Great Basin's history of dramatic change
by Pepper Trail, Sep 17, 2012 -
Don't look for the frontier in Alaska
Tourism, sprawl and energy development have made Alaska less wild; now climate change is also altering the North
by Tim Lydon, Sep 13, 2012 -
Fire scientists fight over what Western forests should look like
Controversial new studies question the conventional wisdom on Western ponderosa forests and the severity of their historic wildfires.
by Emily Guerin, Sep 26, 2012 -
(Don't) Let it burn
A "temporary" policy change requires Forest Service firefighters to put out fires they might have let burn in previous years, for fear of them raging out of control.
by Emily Guerin , Sep 02, 2012 -
Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell on the U.S. as an Arctic nation
Treadwell, an expert in the politics of the opening Arctic, discusses offshore drilling, the Arctic as a global economic powerhouse, and climate change adaptation.
by Michael Burger, Aug 21, 2012 -
We cannot drill our way out of this mess: A review of Arctic Voices
In Arctic Voices: Resistance at the Tipping Point, renowned photographer Subhankar Banerjee hears from 39 writers, biologists, activists and Native Americans about the need to save the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
by Michael Engelhard, Aug 05, 2012 -
What the High Park wildfire can teach us about protecting homes
After the Colorado wildfires, experts try to figure out why some "fire-proofed" neighborhoods with defensible space burned, while similar neighborhoods didn't.
by Joshua Zaffos, Aug 07, 2012
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