Local Changemakers: Food sovereignty, rescued animals, and the quiet work of building resilience in the desert. This post is the first in a series showcasing local climate solutions and field trip reports: the people, places, and projects building resilience in the desert Southwest. Not all climate solutions look like climate solutions. Esperanza’s Sanctuary is a […]
March Is the New June: What This Week’s Historic Heat Means for the Desert Southwest
Something feels off this week if you step outside in the Coachella Valley. The light still has that low, golden, late-winter slant. The wildflowers are still blooming. And yet the thermometer is reading temperatures that wouldn’t be out of place in late June. This week, parts of the desert Southwest are expected to shatter records […]
The Colorado River at a Crossroads: Why This Year Matters for the Desert Southwest
Understanding the historic negotiations shaping water’s future in our region If you live in the Desert Southwest, this is a pivotal year for the Colorado River. The river supports approximately 40 million people across seven states and Mexico, including more than half of all Californians. This year, those seven states and Mexico must agree on […]
Joshua Trees are Blooming Way Too Early and That’s a Problem
Something weird is happening in the Mojave Desert. Joshua trees are flowering in late October and November instead of their usual late February timing. It might sound like a minor scheduling hiccup, but for scientists studying these iconic plants, it’s raising some serious red flags. I took this photo of a blooming Joshua tree in […]
California Lawmakers Pass Historic Bill to Permanently Protect Climate-Threatened Western Joshua Tree
California lawmakers have passed a historic bill (Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act) to permanently protect the western Joshua tree, making it the first law in the state aimed at safeguarding a species threatened by climate change. The legislation, part of the state budget agreement, is expected to be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and take […]
