Climate Change

Richard Katz: LADWP’s New Board President on Priorities & Challenges

Richard Katz

New LADWP Board President Richard Katz shares his insights on the priorities and future direction of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the challenges the department faces in ensuring infrastructure resilience, and his role in guiding the utility through an era of increasing environmental and technological pressures.

MWD’s Hagekhalil on Impacts of Climate Whiplash

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Adel Hagekhalil

At the forefront of shaping the water landscape in Southern California, TPR interviewed Adel Hagekhalil, the General Manager and CEO of the Metropolitan Water District. With a keen focus on resilience and collaboration, Adel introduced the concept of "One Water" to the agency upon assuming his leadership position, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive water management strategies in the face of climate change. Under his guidance, Metropolitan has embarked on ambitious projects to secure water supplies for millions of residents, while also ensuring equitable access and environmental sustainability.

Held v. Montana Ruling Sides with Youth in Landmark Climate Case

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In a landmark decision, brought on by a lawsuit filed against the state of Montana, Judge Kathy Seeley (pictured) has ruled in favor of a group of youth plaintiffs claiming the state violated their constitutional right to a 'clean and healthful environment' by prohibiting consideration under Montana's Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) of emissions and climate impacts when permitting fossil fuel projects. The lawsuit, which was filed three years ago by plaintiffs ranging in age from 5 to 22, could have nationwide impacts with the law firm that represented the youth due back in court next year against the state of Hawaii, which, like Montana, guarantees citizens a constitutional right to a quality environment.

Excerpt: 21st Century Agricultural Renaissance: Solutions from the Land Report

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21st Century Agriculture Renaissance Report

As California faces the impacts of climate change—how to address the interconnected challenges facing the state's energy, water, and food systems remains a foremost challenge.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres' COP 27 Concluding Remarks

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This month global leaders gathered in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for COP27 where nations affirmed and expanded their commitments to limit global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. VX News shares these concluding remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighting the commitment of $100 billion per year in climate financing for developing countries as well as the ongoing and immediate need for member nations to drastically reduce emissions this decade. 
 

Mary Nichols Opines on California’s Newly Adopted Energy & Climate Legislation

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Mary Nichols

The conclusion of California’s Legislative session saw the adoption of ambitious new climate and energy legislation—including laws to set interim targets for 100% clean energy, regulate projects to remove carbon from the atmosphere and smokestacks, and approve buffer zones for new oil wells near communities.  The aforementioned coincides with much of the State experiencing the dire effects of climate change and the health and resilience challenges wrought by extreme heat and wildfires.

UC Berkeley’s Ken Alex on Project Climate & Global Methane Pledge

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Ken Alex—former Sr. Policy Advisor for Governor Jerry Brown, OPR Director, and SGC Chair—highlights how Project Climate and other departments at UC Berkeley are significantly boosting research capacity of state and local policymakers to accelerate implementation of “absolutely realistic” and ambitious climate transition goals.

Respected CA Cleantech Leader Sen. Hertzberg Enters Race for LA County Bd. of Supervisors #3

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Bob Hertzberg

With respected cleantech leader and California Senate Majority Leader Bob Hertzberg announcing his campaign for LA County Supervisor, District 3, VX News shares the below announcement and impressive list of endorsements from a large and diverse coalition of local and regional leaders in support of Hertzberg's candidacy.

SoCal Gas President Maryam Brown on the Role for Clean Fuels In California’s Energy Future

Maryam Brown

As the world’s largest direct air capture plant kicked off operations this September in Iceland, Southern California Gas Company recently announced plans to develop and test new direct air capture technology that both captures C02 and collects water for irrigation.

Congressman Earl Blumenauer: Responding to Climate Disasters—From Ruin to Resilience

With climate change fueling increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters—whether from flooding, wildfire, or extreme heat events—2021 was another record-breaking and deadly year for climate disasters in the US.