Climate / Tess Townsend

Climate change & natural resources

Stories on climate change, California water politics, and environmental issues.

Alta • 2nd December 2021

Another Climate Change Threat: Valley Fever

Cough, fatigue, shortness of breath—is it COVID-19? The flu? In certain hotter, drier regions like California’s Central Valley (which includes Fresno and Bakersfield) and Arizona, it might be valley fever, an infection caused by the Coccidioides fungus.

Sacramento News & Review • 13th June 2019

Vacationing green: Can individual choices help save the planet? Or is the system too rigged?

A personal essay about the challenges and ironies of trying to vacation sustainably.

The Sacramento Bee • 30th October 2019

Sacramento council ignored climate activists. Will they listen now that California is burning?

This opinion column calls on the City of Sacramento to declare a climate emergency.

Water Deeply • 5th June 2018

Why Emergency Drought Assistance Will Be Needed in California for Years

This piece explains some of the lasting impacts of drought in California.

Sacramento News & Review • 4th April 2019

Secondary smoke: Is Sacramento ready for the next big wildfire?

This cover story analyzes the Sacramento region's response to weeks of thick smoke from the Camp Fire in 2018, and explores ways to improve response.

Sacramento News & Review • 8th August 2019

Prepping for disaster: Eight ways to be ready in the climate change era

This piece looks at the local impacts of climate change in the Sacramento region and how people can prepare.

The Sacramento Bee • 28th March 2019

Want to help during an emergency? Training program puts civilians on the front lines

“We’re going to have fires – that’s inevitable. People are going to have heat strokes. People with asthma are going to have respiratory problems ... People don’t know what they’re going to be in for.”

The Sacramento Bee • 28th October 2019

Sacramento is dangerous for walking, biking. Here’s your plan to make both safer

This story responded to questions and concerns posed by readers in a survey. The goal was to engage the audience and demonstrate responsive reporting.

Capitol Weekly • 22nd May 2018

Independent governance eyed for State Water Project

A 2018 bill in the California State Assembly aimed take control of the State Water Project out of the hands of the Department of Water Resources and place it in an independent commission.

Water Deeply • 8th May 2018

California Considers Charge on Utility Bills to Create Safe Fund

A plan to help fix some of the state’s most persistent drinking-water problems is opposed by many water agencies, but a similar scheme has worked in the energy sector for decades.