California

"Joshua trees face the risk of extinction after decades of development, drought and more frequent wildfires due to climate change in their Mojave Desert stronghold, according to state wildlife authorities who are recommending that the trees be considered for listing as an endangered species."

"Yosemite Village is normally a crush of humanity and traffic congestion. On Saturday, it was peaceful like few times before — the only sounds coming from the wind and the few local residents."

"The largest dam removal project in U.S. history came one step closer to fruition this week, as California issued permits for breaching the four dams on the Klamath River."

"San Francisco is banning reusable shopping bags to prevent outside germs from entering grocery stores as the coronavirus pandemic affects cities around the country,"

"When the Trump administration rolled back endangered species protections in the Bay Area delta that serves as the hub of California’s water-supply system, the state decided to go its own way. It sued the federal government and also set about drafting its own delta rules under the California Endangered Species Act."

"As the Trump administration finalizes its plan to roll back Obama-era mileage standards, California announced it would sign a deal with yet another automaker to produce cars meeting stricter standards."

"State officials signed off Thursday on a climate change target that critics say will reduce planet-warming emissions far too slowly. The action comes as economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to slow the growth of renewable energy."

"California’s agreement with Quebec to share cap-and-trade markets to reduce greenhouse gases, which was challenged by the Trump administration in its campaign against efforts to combat global warming, survived its first federal court test Thursday."