These Masks Protect Against Particulates From Wildfire Smoke
Toby Lewsadder stepped outside an Ace Hardware store wearing a simple one-strap dust mask. He knew it wasn’t the right defense against the wildfire smoke lingering in the air, but it was all he could find.
Meet Ken Alex, Gov. Jerry Brown’s Climate Concierge
The officials gathered at the front of the room, arranging themselves on a dais, last fall at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany.
The Family Niche
Pomopolis Farms taps into a unique market for steady, repeat business
Suburban father Mike Polis makes an unlikely rancher, but he’s gained traction with his passion project, building a small family farm catering to a niche Capital Region market.
State Quarantine Stings Urban Farmers
A ‘canning party’ helps Root 64 preserve its produce
Urban farmers Sarah McCamman and Randy Stannard never dreamed their most lucrative time of year — heirloom tomato season — would go from boom to bust under a state quarantine.
Trump Moves to Ease Obama Auto-Mileage Rules, California’s Clout
The Trump administration, taking aim at one of former President Barack Obama’s signature environmental achievements, is proposing to suspend required increases in vehicle fuel economy after 2020 and unwind California’s authority to limit tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions in the state.
Entrepreneur Showcase
16 founders with the skills to make it work
We asked readers to submit their picks for the Capital Region’s top entrepreneurs —and you answered. Our editorial team vetted almost 100 nominations, looking for innovative business ideas, interesting backstories, unique products and services and that ineffable “it” factor. And here they are…
The Role of Plastic Regulation
For advocates looking to curb disposable plastic use and pollution through regulation, California represents the benchmark. But for industry groups, the regulation is overly burdensome, going too far to restrict what businesses can do, which they argue would ultimately increase costs for consumer goods.
Plastic of the Future
Bioplastics may offer one solution to the plastic predicament — and a West Sacramento company is leading the way.
Origin Materials is part of a small but growing bioplastics market. Regulation, recycling and changing consumer behavior have proven ineffective in curbing the environment impacts of plastic. With plastic production projected to double over the next 20 years, Origins founders think the key solution lies in the bottles themselves.
Back and Forward: Mark Murray
Executive director of Californians Against Waste on curbing plastic waste
Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste, offers his insight into the plastics industry.
Capital Region Schools Get Their Own Farmers Markets
In San Joaquin County, elementary and middle school students are running farmers markets at 10 after-school sites. In Yolo County, the Yolo Food Bank runs each market held at local schools, but hundreds of students get to shop weekly for fresh produce. And in Sacramento County, a hybrid approach currently serves five schools.