Although still in its infancy, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute has already generated extensive media coverage in connection with its mission and activities.
A former state lawmaker who played a key role in shaping California's landmark actions on global warming is still battling for action on climate change. Former state Sen. Fran Pavley (D), who carried California's first measure mandating a cut in greenhouse gas emissions and a subsequent one increasing the targets, now acts as a mentor on climate advocacy. E & E News
Something changed in around 2012. People started talking about the air. Perhaps they heard their children wheezing, or granny told them she couldn’t climb the stairs, or they were fed up with having constant headaches. China woke up when the city of Beijing had to shut half its factories to make sure its coal-polluted air was safe enough for Olympic athletes to breathe. Two years later the great Sahara dust episode was the alarm call in Britain. After weeks of choking on traffic fumes, Londoners found their cars covered in a fine red dust. Literary Review
California's sweeping deal with four major automakers last week to boost gas mileage standards and cut tailpipe emissions wasn't the first time the Golden State has outmaneuvered the Trump administration, which has been planning instead to loosen pollution rules for car companies nationwide. Science X
In the movies, lone heroes and villains change the world all the time. But most Americans understand that in real life, you can’t get big, important things done by going it alone. Sure, as anybody paying attention to Washington these days knows, a loner can grab a lot of attention and cause plenty of short-term chaos. The Sacramento Bee
By a 5-4 vote, the United States Supreme Court turned back challenges to partisan re-districting, claiming the issue of gerrymandering was a political question outside the purview of the court. For those activists around the country who feel the drawing of electoral districts offer unfair representation as created by the party in power in state legislatures, California’s citizens’ redistricting commission may serve as a model. Fox and Hounds
When Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he was retiring last June, it brought significant changes to the Supreme Court. Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the court after a bruising confirmation battle, and Chief Justice John Roberts has become the court’s swing vote. NPR
In 2016, 175 nations signed on to the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas pollution. The majority of those nations have not fulfilled their promises, so you’ll be surprised that the two of us are still filled with hope. That’s because state and local governments are becoming the stars of a clean energy future. California has succeeded where many have failed while protecting the economy and we have gotten praise from around the world, but we aren’t selfish; in fact, we would love to share the global spotlight with Oregon. Oregon Live
As you may have heard, celebrities have been using their clout to get out the message on climate change -- inviting the question, frequently, as to whether they're a hindrance or a help to that cause. If there's any area where star power seems to be put to the most effective use, it's the documentary, where attaching names like Leonardo DiCaprio and Arnold Schwarzenegger helps projects that might evaporate into the ether get on the media's radar. CNN
Teen climate activist Greta Thunberg was all alone when she started protesting the lack of political action on climate change last year outside of the Swedish parliament. Today, the Friday climate strikes inspired by Thunberg are drawing out more than 1 million young people around the world. But as she tells Political Climate: The fight is “not over yet.” Greentech Media
Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg called on world leaders Tuesday to recognize the seriousness of global warming and admit that not enough is being done to curb it. Speaking at the R20 Austrian World Summit in Austria’s capital, Vienna, Greta suggested it was wrong to portray climate change as “primarily an opportunity to create new green jobs, new businesses, green economic growth,” as some political and business leaders have done. Washington Post