What's Current in
Environment + Sustainability
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![People discuss matters of water policy over an aquifer.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-06/groundwater-stakeholders.jpg?itok=vpqhNd8k)
Photo Credit
iStock/ Matt Perko
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![oil and natural gas infrastructure in the Permian Basin](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-06/oil-gas-permian-basin-uc-santa-barbara.jpg?itok=o_oh51YE)
Oil and gas extraction infrastructure in the Permian Basin
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![Rice terraces at sunset in Japan](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-06/iStock-Sean-Pavone.jpg?itok=tqS8neGN)
Photo Credit
iStock/Sean Pavone
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![A fishing boat deploys its nets accompanied by a flock of gulls.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-06/fishing-boat-iStock.jpg?itok=HCXs-UPY)
Photo Credit
Split Second Stock
Fishermen and regulatory agencies will need to adapt when marine heatwaves impact the ranges and population levels of targeted species.
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![A whitebark pine growing on the rock overlooking Big Pine Creek in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-05/overlook-valley-dudney-uc-santa-barbara.jpg?itok=SUALsGgY)
Photo Credit
Joan Dudney
Whitebark pines growing in cold, high elevation regions grew more during droughts, which lengthened their growing season.
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![A pumpjack nestled between trees and luxury homes.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-05/pumpjack-neighborhood-istock%202.jpeg?itok=SnpHYRwk)
Photo Credit
iStock
California currently has no setback restrictions, so oil production can occur in the middle of neighborhoods like Signal Hill, in Los Angeles.
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![Illustration of molecular chain overlaid on image of plastic bottles](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-04/Research-60-plastics-thumbnail-uc-santa-barbara.jpg?itok=yQrXorrL)
Photo Credit
Jessie Ward O'Sullivan
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![Hillside daisy blankets hills in yellow, with splashes of pink, orange and blue.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-04/carrizo-hills-Joan-Dudney-1.jpg?itok=Km2HO-rq)
Photo Credit
Joan Dudney
California’s wildflowers have painted parts of the state in a dazzling array of colors.
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![aerial view of wildfire marching across a forest landscape](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-04/wildfire-aerial-istock-uc-santa-barbara1.jpg?itok=WO10HMly)
Where fire is a natural part of the ecosystem, it can create space and opportunities for adaptations and new species
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![Stressed pines on a hill in southwestern Colorado.](/sites/default/files/styles/large_2340x1212/public/2023-04/Wolf-creek-pass-Bill-Anderegg-1.jpg?itok=oyoCpoXB)
Photo Credit
A climate-stressed forest in southwestern Colorado near Wolf Creek Pass.
A climate-stressed forest in southwestern Colorado near Wolf Creek Pass.