A growing number of young people are returning to the land. The appeal of the homesteading lifestyle has attracted millennials to live differently, growing their own food and living a bit lighter on the earth. Even as a generation raised in a technology-focused time, these young people are seeking out ways to live more connected to […]
The Karuk people define themselves by the Klamath River, just as the Romans did the Tiber or the Egyptians did the Nile. The word “Karuk” means “upstream,” a reference to the waterway, which runs from Klamath Lake in southern Oregon, across the mountains of northern California — where the Karuk live — before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. […]
While many salmon advocates oppose several of California Governor Gavin Newson’s key water policies such as the Delta Tunnel, Sites Reservoir and the Big Ag-promoted voluntary agreements, a coalition of Tribes, fishing groups and conservation organizations today praised Newsom for urging the owners of four Klamath River dams to stick with a dam removal agreement. By Dan Bacher Newsom sent a […]
California Governor Gavin Newsom on July 28 unveiled a final version of his controversial Water Resilience Portfolio, a water plan that that includes the Delta Tunnel, Sites Reservoir and the agribusiness-promoted “voluntary agreements.” While the plan drew praise from agribusiness interests and water agencies — and strong criticism from salmon advocates, Tribal leaders and environmental justice leaders for the damage […]
Have you ever visited the Grand Canyon? That massive hole in the ground is the result of millions of years of erosion — water washing away layer after layer of rock until an enormous canyon formed. This landform is a dramatic example of erosion. On a smaller scale, substances like soil are also susceptible to […]
Imagine diving into the shallow waters off the coast of Lake Michigan. You can see bare rocks and sand as you descend. Pinky-size spottail shiners swim by, shimmering in silver. When you reach the bottom, an indigenous yellow spotted molted sculpin is lying flat on its belly, flapping its boney fins like wings. By Tiffany […]
On July 23, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Pebble Mine, a massive gold and copper mine and toxic waste dump proposed for the headwaters of the largest sockeye salmon run on the planet. Project opponents say the Corps’ conclusions in the FEIS are “largely the same” as the […]
To both feed the world and solve climate change, the world needs to produce 50% more food in 2050 compared to 2010 while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds. While government funding has an important role to play, a new World Bank report I wrote with seven co-authors found that agricultural subsidies are currently doing little to achieve these […]
Sustainable farming seeks to preserve and improve the environment, ensure human health and grow food for the growing global population. There are many philosophies and methods contained within this practice, and it can be tricky to choose one definition. In general, sustainable agriculture looks to improve growing practices so that land does not degrade at […]
Overfishing has become a global crisis. One-third of fisheries around the world are operating at unsustainable levels. Over time, this unsustainable fishing will both decrease the amount of wild fish available to fishers and have huge consequences for the environment. If left unchecked, overfishing can lead to disruption of the food chain, harmful algal blooms and […]
Three California environmental nonprofits secured a landmark settlement agreement with the California State Water Resources Control Board to uphold the common law Public Trust Doctrine and other legal protections for imperiled fish species in the Sacramento River and San Francisco Bay/Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta Estuary, according to a press release from the groups. By […]
Starting this week, the annual Run4Salmon Prayer Journey of 300 miles goes virtual for 2020 due to COVID-19. Adapting, instead of canceling the annual event, this year’s Run4Salmon offers online participation. By Dan Bacher According to a press release from the Winnemem Wintu Tribe: “For the past four years, Winnemem Wintu Chief Caleen Sisk and […]
Why has Earth’s climate remained so stable over geological time? The answer just might rock you. Rocks, particularly the types created by volcanic activity, play a critical role in keeping Earth’s long-term climate stable and cycling carbon dioxide between land, oceans and the atmosphere. Weathering of rocks like these basalt formations in Idaho triggers chemical processes […]
Were you curious about seeing the public comments made during the public scoping period for the controversial Delta Tunnel to divert water from the Sacramento River before it flows through the Delta? If you made a comment, did you want to check to see if your comment was included? Well, here’s your chance. By Dan Bacher […]
Every spring, people get excited to head to the store for gardening supplies. It’s fun to plant seeds and watch your garden grow, but anyone who wants a green thumb should how to tend plants in every season. It’s possible to garden all year round if you know what to look for and add to your […]