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Monterey County Sustainability Articles



CalMatters logo STATE NEWS
Californians Face Higher Costs for Goods and Services Than Before the Pandemic Despite Inflation Slowing

The consumer price index shows services are mostly responsible for persistent inflation, but prices for food and other goods in California remain high.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
The City of Monterey has lavish revenue, and expenditures. The latter is coming home to roost.

When Monterey City Manager Hans Uslar addressed his city council, staff and the public in his Feb. 15 State of the City speech, he began on a note of levity, saying that he’d recently read a headline asserting that artificial…

King City Rustler logo LOCAL NEWS
Alliance on Aging’s 2024 Trashion Show in King City transforms waste into wearable art

KING CITY — Alliance on Aging’s 2024 Trashion Show in King City was a groundbreaking success, captivating more than 300 attendees with its innovative approach to transforming waste into wearable art.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
After a two-month delay, commercial crab season opens on the Central Coast.

Two things that are true, but that can also come into conflict with each other are that most people love to eat crab, and most people love whales.

Image caption: Long-duration energy storage, such as this thermal energy storage facility, allows renewable energy sources to operate at full capacity without overloading the power grid.
How California Leads the Race For Long Duration Energy Storage

Long-duration energy storage is essential if renewables are to become the basis for a future, carbon-neutral power grid. Here's how California is leading the race to store energy from solar, wind, and other clean sources for use whenever it's needed.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Fishermen are reeling from closures that threaten the outlook for the local industry.

The first big industry in Monterey Bay was whaling. Then came fishing, and in recent decades, tourism. But the local fishing industry has hung on, if only by a thread. That thread is starting to fray.

Image caption: Ocean waves may be good for more than surfing. They may play a role in reducing California's greenhouse gas emissions.
California Looks to Ocean Waves For New Clean Energy Source

Only a few small demonstration projects off the West Coast have harnessed the power of waves and tides. Costs are high and hurdles are challenging.

Image caption: Even as the state has set ambitious clean energy goals, California is once again slashing incentives for rooftop solar power.
California Slashes Rooftop Solar Incentives—Again

The utilities commission reduced payments to apartments, schools and businesses selling solar power to the grid despite a barrage of criticism. Commissioners say it reverses unfair subsidies.

Image caption: A definitive federal report says California’s economy suffers more than almost all states from the effects of climate change.
California Among Top 5 Worst Climate Change States, Report Says

California ranks among the top states suffering economic damage from climate-related disasters. The report describes food shortages, floods, droughts, wildfires, pollution, disease—all linked to climate change.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
A new report on marine debris identifies the challenges, but also the opportunities, for keeping trash out of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Tajha Chappellet-Lanier here, thinking about taking a walk (or a run) along the coast. It’s one of my favorite things to do after a busy day—breathing in crisp ocean air is an excellent way to clear one's head. I also…

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
High presence of humpback whales off the Central Coast delays opening of crab fishing season.

As concerns about whale entanglements caused by standard crab fishing gear continue to be at the top of mind for environmental watchdogs and state and federal regulators, Charlton Bonham, director of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, announced Friday,…

KSQD logo LOCAL NEWS
Monterey Bay History: Sardine and Abalone Fisheries

Tim Thomas is the recipient of the Ed Ricketts Award from NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary along with Rumsen-Ohlone Tribal member Linda Yamane. In this interview, Tim Thomas discusses the sardine and abalone fishery in the Monterey Bay, and …

Image caption: California is considering an end to a program that gives tax credits for cow poop–based biofuels.
Climate Credits for Cow Manure: Program May End Soon

California grants climate credits for fuel made from cow manure, but there’s a paradox: The state’s program encourages collection of methane yet promotes natural gas.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
Rancho Cielo vocational students win big in an international sustainable building competition.

In a stunning win, construction students from Rancho Cielo in Salinas won the top prize at the Orange County Sustainability Decathlon on Saturday, Oct. 14, beating out students from top universities in the U.S. and England. Out of 10 categories,…

Image caption: There is a wind-turbine arms race underway in China, which already manufactures windmills whose blades sweep an area the size of 10 football fields per spin.
Wind Turbine Developments off Central Coast on ‘Fast Track’

Ocean wind farms are essential to electrify California’s grid with 100% clean energy. But they’re a giant, costly experiment—no one knows how hundreds of towering turbines will transform the remote North Coast.

Image caption: Conservation director Bryan Largay helps the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County choose its priorities.
A Conversation with California Conservationist Bryan Largay

The conservation director of Land Trust of Santa Cruz talks about the highlights of his work, and some of the issues he sees in maintaining California’s parks.

Monterey County Weekly logo LOCAL NEWS
A coalition of fishermen tried to get protections for sea otters removed. They failed.

While they have no way of knowing it, southern sea otters – a threatened species once thought to be extinct – scored a big win last week.

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