Quest | Mon, Nov 23 2009, 8:33 AM

Building an Artificial Leaf

At UC Berkeley, scientists studying how to feed our growing need for energy have turned to a surprising source. Researchers there are trying to produce the next generation of green power by mimicking something every weekend gardener works to clean up.

KQED Radio News | Mon, Nov 9 2009, 5:30 PM

Pork in the Water Bond?

Governor Schwarzenegger was in Fresno County today to sign and praise an $11 billion water bond which will appear on the ballot next November. But the bond package has left a bad taste in the mouths of some lawmakers, both Republican and Democratic. Many think the bill was too full of special projects paid for by state residents, but benefitting only private or local interests.

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The California Report | Fri, Nov 6 2009, 8:50 AM

Uncertain Future for Lake Mead and the Colorado River

The bundle of water bills passed this week in Sacramento was designed to attack some of California's long-term worries over water supply. Mostly, the legislation addresses the troubled Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and groundwater issues. But there's another big question mark in the state's water mix: the Colorado River. It's a crucial source of water for Southern Californians and it's in trouble, too.

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KQED Radio News | Wed, Nov 4 2009, 5:30 PM

Lawmakers Pass Water Policy Overhaul

As the sun rose this morning, California lawmakers passed a package of bills overhauling state water policy. Supporters say it does the best job ever of balancing two competing goals: protecting the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta and providing a reliable water supply for the state. But the bills come with a high price tag -- an $11 billion bond that voters will have to approve next year.

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The California Report | Tue, Nov 3 2009, 8:50 AM

Yosemite Fires Have Greenhouse Gas Link

Yosemite National Park has been scarred by several big fires in recent years, the latest contained less than two months ago. New research suggests Yosemite is likely to face even more fire in its future, and the reasons include climate change.

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The California Report | Mon, Oct 19 2009, 8:50 AM

The State of Solar Power

You might think that when it comes to harnessing the sun, the Golden State is way out in front. California's solar program is indeed exceeding expectations, and the state is on track to double the sun power it generates by the end of the year. But we still have much to learn from another country: Japan.

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The California Report | Mon, Oct 12 2009, 8:50 AM

The Power of Home-Grown Hydrogen

Residential fuel cells are still a rarity in California, but they're becoming more common in Japan. The Japanese government is pouring billions of dollars into the technology, and the investment should get fuel cells into a quarter of all homes in Japan by midcentury.

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The California Report | Mon, Oct 5 2009, 8:50 AM

Japan: A Model of Energy Efficiency?

California has set a string of ambitious greenhouse gas-cutting goals in recent years, but whether they're attainable has been a subject of some skepticism. One country we might look to for inspiration is Japan, which is, by some measures, the most energy-efficient country on the planet. The island nation has spent the last three decades on an obsessive quest to reduce its energy consumption.

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The California Report | Fri, Oct 2 2009, 8:50 AM

California Partners with China at LA Climate Summit

Governor Schwarzenegger wraps up his Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles today. He's using the occasion to announce a partnership with the world's other heavy greenhouse gas emitter: China.

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