Climate & Environment

Trump administration finalizes plan to open pristine Alaska wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling

The Trump administration has finalized a plan to open the coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling, renewing long-simmering debate over whether to drill in one of the nation's most sensitive wilderness areas.

Should plants be allowed right next to your home? California may soon say no

Debate continues about zone zero, the California rules nearing the finish line that would regulate what can be planted and stored within 5 feet of millions of homes.

Wildlife officials uncover "extensive evidence" of ivory, rhino trafficking in LA County

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife seized what they say appears to be at least nine rhino horns and thousands of pieces of elephant ivory from an L.A. County business.

Various carved decorative items, including a carved horse figurine, various bowls, and what appears to be a large, intricately carved tusk. The items are sitting in USPS receptacles and on the floor of a parking lot. A law enforcement car is visible in the background.

Inside the aftermath of the largest methane leak in US history

Regulations on gas storage facilities have been tightened since the detection of the 2015 Aliso Canyon leak. But residents remain worried about long term health effects.

A sign on a brown grass hill reads "no trespassing property of socal gas" under stormy skies.

Did climate change make the LA fires worse? It’s complicated

A new study addresses the question, concluding that climate change increased the likelihood of the fires and boosted the amount of land that burned.

Another milestone for ambitious 101 Freeway wildlife crossing: First native plants go in

About 5,000 more plants will be installed this fall, officials say, blanketing what will become a nearly 1-acre wildlife habitat.

Two women are kneeling over a hole buried in the dirt ground around a small green plant. The woman on the left has long black hair tied in two braids and a bright pink high-visibility vest with her hands around the plant. The woman on the right has long blonde hair past her shoulders is wearing the same pink vest over a navy blue t-shirt, with both her arms raised above her head.

Go somewhere dark and look up! The Orionid meteor shower is peaking

You may be able to see the Orionid meteor shower from darker pockets of the Southern California suburbs, but the desert and mountains will offer the best viewing.

This photo provided by NASA shows the Orionid meteors on Oct. 13, 2015.

An uninsured Altadenan is determined to rebuild. Will the obstacles be insurmountable?

Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.

A man with long dreadlocks is seen from behind. He wears a blue jacket and stretches out his arms as if hugging the dirt lot beyond him.

LA’s recent rain likely produced more mosquitoes. Here’s what you should know

The annual mosquito season is ending, but some problematic breeding water sources may have been refilled.

An Aedes aegypti mosquito seen through a microscope. A campaign is underway to inject mosquitoes and mosquito eggs with the Wolbachia bacteria, which can bring a halt to virus replication and transmission.

Hold onto your produce: Parts of LA County under invasive fruit fly quarantine

Caribbean fruit flies have been detected around Montebello, prompting California’s first quarantine for the species in 40 years.

An extreme close-up of a brown and yellow fruit fly resting on what appears to be a green leaf.

Survey of 2,300 fire survivors reflects long, steep road to recovery

A new survey shows most Eaton and Palisades fire survivors face major obstacles to rebuild.

Aerial view of mostly empty residential lots where homes were burned during a wildfire. A mountain range is pictured in the background.

California’s 'zone zero' fire rules clash with LA’s need for shade

Homeowners in fire hazard zones may have to remove bushes, hedges and flowers within 5 feet of their houses — even as extreme heat becomes more dangerous.

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