climate change

Gov. Gavin Newsom, pictured in San Francisco this week speaking about the election for his recall, has directed $12 billion toward climate programs.<ins> (Jim Wilson/New York Times)</ins>

California recall vote could weaken the the state’s aggressive climate policies

Newsom’s opponents would roll back aggressive plans

  • Sep 8, 2021

 

Climate change activists say goals to clean up the environment will not be reached until driving is no longer an attractive transportation option. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

U.N. climate report calls for bold action. What does that look like in San Francisco?

‘We need urgent action at an unprecedented scale’

 

Flames crest over a ridge Aug. 18 near Genesee as a water tender sits ready to protect the Walking G Ranch, which was once a summer camp. (Christian Monterrosa/New York Times)

Returning home to a valley filled with flames

Childhood memories are replaced by wrath of Dixie Fire

  • Aug 25, 2021

 

Open windows for ventilation paired with a socially distanced setup in a kindergarten classroom at Bryant Elementary School ahead of the school’s reopening on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

To vent or not to vent? Coronavirus and wildfires create window dilemma for SF schools

‘It’s a pretty frustrating situation’

Open windows for ventilation paired with a socially distanced setup in a kindergarten classroom at Bryant Elementary School ahead of the school’s reopening on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Use of gas-powered appliances in residential buildings is the second biggest contributor to San Francisco’s greenhouse gas emissions. (Courtesy photo)

How electric appliances can help SF reach its climate goals

San Francisco hopes to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To…

Use of gas-powered appliances in residential buildings is the second biggest contributor to San Francisco’s greenhouse gas emissions. (Courtesy photo)
Data shows that San Francisco’s Chinatown, which has a largely non-white population, has 5 percent tree cover compared to 32.8 percent in Presidio, where more white people reside and incomes are higher. (Shutterstock)

SF has lost thousands of trees—and it affects communities of color

The hottest day recorded in San Francisco was on Sept. 1, 2017…

Data shows that San Francisco’s Chinatown, which has a largely non-white population, has 5 percent tree cover compared to 32.8 percent in Presidio, where more white people reside and incomes are higher. (Shutterstock)
People fish at a dock at Islais Creek Park on Thursday, June 10, 2021. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)

What Islais Creek tells us about rising sea levels in San Francisco

Islais Creek is an unassuming waterway along San Francisco’s eastern industrial shoreline,…

People fish at a dock at Islais Creek Park on Thursday, June 10, 2021. (Kevin N. Hume/The Examiner)
Researchers have identified the microscopic algae, Pseudo-nitzschi, which was responsible for the closure of California’s Dungeness crab season in 2015. (Courtesy C.J. Wingert, San Francisco State University)

A microscopic killer lives in SF’s waters

Researchers find ocean acidification threatens local fisheries

Researchers have identified the microscopic algae, Pseudo-nitzschi, which was responsible for the closure of California’s Dungeness crab season in 2015. (Courtesy C.J. Wingert, San Francisco State University)
Hundreds of students take to the streets as part of a youth organized climate strike on Friday, March 15, 2019. (Ellie Doyen/Special to S.F. Examiner)

SB 260 is the right law at the right time

By Kalpana Narlikar The Climate Corporate Accountability Act (SB 260) was introduced…

Hundreds of students take to the streets as part of a youth organized climate strike on Friday, March 15, 2019. (Ellie Doyen/Special to S.F. Examiner)
State Sen. Scott Wiener hopes to make businesses disclose their carbon footprint. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Wiener bill would require corporations to report and cut down carbon emissions

Andrew Sheeler The Sacramento Bee Large California corporations would be required to…

State Sen. Scott Wiener hopes to make businesses disclose their carbon footprint. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
San Francisco leaders argue that plans to develop housing in the region’s transit-heavy urban areas are at odds with goals to increase equity for people of color. (Ming Vong/S.F. Examiner)

SF officials fear regional housing strategy could increase displacement of people of color

Equity and climate goals at odds in plan that concentrates development in transit-rich urban areas

San Francisco leaders argue that plans to develop housing in the region’s transit-heavy urban areas are at odds with goals to increase equity for people of color. (Ming Vong/S.F. Examiner)
Zero Grocery is among the Bay Area organizations delivering groceries in plastic-free packaging. (Screenshot)

Bye Trump, hello hope: SF can show US what’s possible

City’s climate efforts will shine under new administration

Zero Grocery is among the Bay Area organizations delivering groceries in plastic-free packaging. (Screenshot)
A regional proposal calling for people to work from home could have negative effect on downtown San Francisco and San Jose, according mayors of those cities. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Mayor London Breed: We ‘cannot support’ MTC telecommute mandate

Proposal to require more employees to work from home could harm downtown and low-wage workers

A regional proposal calling for people to work from home could have negative effect on downtown San Francisco and San Jose, according mayors of those cities. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Wildfires and smoke-filled air have become increasingly common in California in recent years. (Shutterstock)

California can do better on climate

By Scott Wiener The night of August 29, 2018 capped off a…

Wildfires and smoke-filled air have become increasingly common in California in recent years. (Shutterstock)
Appeals of emergency projects including Slow Streets were denied by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

After weeks of delay, SFMTA emergency response projects can continue

Board of Supervisors denies five appeals against CEQA exemptions

Appeals of emergency projects including Slow Streets were denied by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
A bill signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday will make it easier to win approval for projects such as protected bike lanes, pedestrian safety improvements and light rail and bus lanes. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)

New law makes sustainable transit easier, faster and cheaper to implement

SB 288 will add a number of climate-friendly infrastructure projects to CEQA exemption list

A bill signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom Monday will make it easier to win approval for projects such as protected bike lanes, pedestrian safety improvements and light rail and bus lanes. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)
Muni riders enjoyed one day of free transit after weeks of poor air quality due to smoke. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Despite long run of ‘Spare the Air’ days, free transit remains a rarity

In response to weeks of unhealthy air quality caused by smoke from…

Muni riders enjoyed one day of free transit after weeks of poor air quality due to smoke. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
Mayor Ed Lee speaks to attendees of his State of the City address at the Hibernia Bank in San Franciso on Thursday, January 26, 2017. (Aleah Fajardo/Special to S.F. Examiner)

SF posts deleted federal climate change information

San Francisco has joined a dozen cities in posting federal climate change…

Mayor Ed Lee speaks to attendees of his State of the City address at the Hibernia Bank in San Franciso on Thursday, January 26, 2017. (Aleah Fajardo/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Crab sit inside a vendor booth outside Alioto's Restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)

Study predicts decline in Dungeness crab from ocean acidification

SEATTLE — Dungeness crab are forecast to take a hit from ocean…

Crab sit inside a vendor booth outside Alioto's Restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf. (Jessica Christian/S.F. Examiner)
(Photo courtesy Shutterstock)

Climate change negatively affecting San Francisco Bay’s oyster population

A new report released by UC Davis’ Bodega Marine Laboratory and the San…

(Photo courtesy Shutterstock)