LOS ANGELES – Rising sea levels along the California coast. Severe droughts in Nevada. Record heat in Arizona. Climate change is having an undeniable impact in the West. These new realities will alter the way we live in almost every way.
As the country gears up for the 2020 presidential election, all major Democratic candidates have released ambitious plans to tackle the issue of climate change.
On Friday, September 20th, as part of the “Covering Climate Now” initiative, members of the Elemental: Covering Sustainability collaboration at the proposals from the Democratic candidates, actions from the White House, and at the impact of climate change on Western states.
KPCC’s Larry Mantle hosted an hour long, regional call-in show with NPR affiliates from California, Nevada, Phoenix and Colorado. You can listen to it here.
Here are some of the highlights of the conversation from reporters and listeners:
Here is a look at the reporters participating! @ElementalCollab is proud to be part of the effort. Join the conversation! https://t.co/LIj0Swsons pic.twitter.com/P2z5pRi7mc
— Elemental: Covering Sustainability (@ElementalCollab) September 20, 2019
Elemental contributor @gracehood from @CPRNews discusses #Colorado's Climate Action Plan and supporting the transition from #oilandgas to #renewables.
Ask your #climatechange questions by calling 866-893-5722 or tweeting @AirTalk
Listen live here: https://t.co/k6384tH9Po— Elemental: Covering Sustainability (@ElementalCollab) September 20, 2019
Modesto, Calif. caller Chris asked about #water resources in our @CoveringClimate regional show. Check out this story from our partner @KCET… cc @ezraromerohttps://t.co/1vKiyYGiYp
— Elemental: Covering Sustainability (@ElementalCollab) September 20, 2019
Forest management is a major concern for people across the west when it comes to preventing wildfires, according to Jan from Sacramento. Here's one take on a solution https://t.co/HPXMXMCxVZ
— Elemental: Covering Sustainability (@ElementalCollab) September 20, 2019
Our @CronkiteNews reporter @dylanasimard is talking about heat impacts in #Phoenix and researchers looking into shade and urban canopies in desert cities. https://t.co/plNMv0J6jD
— Elemental: Covering Sustainability (@ElementalCollab) September 20, 2019
Tucson caller Matt talks about taking #Arizona's natural resources, specifically recreational trails and parks, for granted. If #Climate changes drastically, the economic impact to the state would be drastic. Here's one story tracking protections: https://t.co/5qB0NKq2YK
— Elemental: Covering Sustainability (@ElementalCollab) September 20, 2019
Eric, a @kjzzphoenix listener, is talking about our #Monsoon, which has become more of a "non-soon." It's a problem our @cronkitenews #sustainability team has been covering https://t.co/wZhtXd2Jsa #coveringclimatenow
— Elemental: Covering Sustainability (@ElementalCollab) September 20, 2019