Calls to US poison centers spiked after ‘magic mushrooms’ were decriminalized

Researchers found a sharp rise in calls to US poison centers about magic mushrooms coincided with their decriminalization in several US cities and states.

Rita Farah, Researcher of Epidemiology, University of Virginia • conversation
June 14, 2024 ~4 min

Coast redwood trees are enduring, adaptable marvels in a warming world

Redwoods grow in networks that house unique communities of plants and animals high in the air. They offer life lessons about adapting over time.

Daniel Lewis, Lecturer in History, California Institute of Technology • conversation
Jan. 3, 2024 ~9 min


Wildfire risk is soaring for low-income, elderly and other vulnerable populations in California, Washington and Oregon

Alarmingly, about half the people exposed to wildfires in Washington and Oregon were those least able to afford to protect their homes, evacuate safely and recover.

John Abatzoglou, Professor of Engineering, University of California, Merced • conversation
Sept. 20, 2023 ~7 min

Removing dams from the Klamath River is a step toward justice for Native Americans in Northern California

The largest dam removal project is moving forward on the Klamath River in California and Oregon. Tribal nations there have fought for decades to protect native fish runs and the ecology of the river.

Robert Lusardi, Assistant Professor of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology and California Trout-UC Davis Coldwater Fish Scientist, University of California, Davis • conversation
July 12, 2023 ~11 min

Packaging generates a lot of waste – now Maine and Oregon want manufacturers to foot the bill for getting rid of it

Maine and Oregon have enacted laws that require makers of consumer product packaging to pay for recycling or disposing of it. Will other states follow?

Kate O'Neill, Professor of Global Environmental Politics, University of California, Berkeley • conversation
Sept. 8, 2021 ~9 min

The EPA is banning chlorpyrifos, a pesticide widely used on food crops, after 14 years of pressure from environmental and labor groups

What kind of evidence does it require to get a widely used chemical banned? A professor of medicine and former state regulator explains how the case for chlorpyrifos as a threat to public health developed.

Gina Solomon, Clinical Professor of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco • conversation
Aug. 24, 2021 ~12 min

How years of fighting every wildfire helped fuel the Western megafires of today

More than 40 fire scientists and forest ecologists in the US and Canada teamed up to investigate why wildfires are getting more extreme. Climate change is part of the problem, but there’s more.

Paul Hessburg, Research Ecologist, United States Forest Service • conversation
Aug. 2, 2021 ~9 min

Who owns the beach? It depends on state law and tide lines

In principle, some portion of the shoreline is public land along virtually all US coasts. But these can sometimes overlap with private property interests, creating confusion and conflict.

Thomas Ankersen, Legal Skills Professor and Director, Conservation Clinic, University of Florida College of Law, University of Florida • conversation
July 19, 2021 ~10 min


Water wells are at risk of going dry in the US and worldwide

The US has one of the highest groundwater use rates in the world. When wells run dry, households may opt to conserve water, find new sources or sell and move.

Scott Jasechko, Assistant Professor of Water Resources, University of California Santa Barbara • conversation
May 10, 2021 ~9 min

Wildfires can leave toxic drinking water behind – here's how to protect the public

Two environmental engineers say governments need to do more to protect people from possible water contamination after wildfires.

Caitlin R. Proctor, Lillian Gilbreth Postdoctoral Fellow, Purdue University • conversation
Sept. 17, 2020 ~9 min

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