Evan George
@evanlgeorge.bsky.social
Writer, editor, strategist on climate policy & environmental law. Communications Director at the UCLA Emmett Institute. I write The Drain column, a weekly roundup of climate and environmental news.
Reposted by Evan George
Read our suggestions for how to kickstart the important transformation of our urban environment to help shield residents from the worst effects of rising temperatures @uclaioes.bsky.social @law.ucla.edu @uclasustainablela.bsky.social @luskininnovation.bsky.social
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
November 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Read our suggestions for how to kickstart the important transformation of our urban environment to help shield residents from the worst effects of rising temperatures @uclaioes.bsky.social @law.ucla.edu @uclasustainablela.bsky.social @luskininnovation.bsky.social
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
Heat rash, heat cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke can be prevented by requiring, and incentivizing, the use of cool roofs, cool surfaces, and more shade in L.A. Here's a law and policy road map for how: law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
Hot off the presses 🔥 We have a new report on how the City and County of L.A. can strengthen their responses to extreme heat. We look at ways to reimagine and remake the outdoor urban environment to reduce risks to vulnerable communities.
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
Reducing Outdoor Vulnerability to Extreme Heat in Los Angeles
Climate change is making life in cities hotter and more dangerous, but cities—Los Angeles included—have not yet adequately responded. The risk and incidence of heat-related illnesses, such as heat ras...
law.ucla.edu
November 24, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Heat rash, heat cramps, fainting, heat exhaustion, heat stroke can be prevented by requiring, and incentivizing, the use of cool roofs, cool surfaces, and more shade in L.A. Here's a law and policy road map for how: law.ucla.edu/news/reducin...
Today, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced an order titled “Unleashing American Offshore Energy after months of Undermining American Offshore Energy.
November 21, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Today, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced an order titled “Unleashing American Offshore Energy after months of Undermining American Offshore Energy.
Reposted by Evan George
Climate inaction is ALREADY a big expense affecting US households' costs. One of the biggest? The impact of climate-related natural disasters on housing costs. New post and research by @kclausing.bsky.social @knittelmit.bsky.social @cwolfram.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/c...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/c...
Climate Inaction is an Affordability Problem - Legal Planet
This post is authored by UCLA Law’s Kimberly A. Clausing along with guest contributors Christopher R. Knittel and Catherine Wolfram. Many of us have seen large increases in our homeowner’s insurance p...
legal-planet.org
November 20, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Climate inaction is ALREADY a big expense affecting US households' costs. One of the biggest? The impact of climate-related natural disasters on housing costs. New post and research by @kclausing.bsky.social @knittelmit.bsky.social @cwolfram.bsky.social
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/c...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/20/c...
The 9th Circuit has halted implementation of an important climate disclosure law: California’s Senate Bill 261, a landmark law that requires big business entities to publicly disclose their climate-related financial risks and countermeasures. Related SB 253 proceeds.
www.esgdive.com/news/ninth-c...
www.esgdive.com/news/ninth-c...
Federal appeals court halts implementation of California’s climate law SB 261
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily stopped enforcement of a law that requires large businesses operating in California to publicly disclose their climate-related financial risks.
www.esgdive.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
The 9th Circuit has halted implementation of an important climate disclosure law: California’s Senate Bill 261, a landmark law that requires big business entities to publicly disclose their climate-related financial risks and countermeasures. Related SB 253 proceeds.
www.esgdive.com/news/ninth-c...
www.esgdive.com/news/ninth-c...
Don't miss “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” doing public media. It’s as good as any explainer on the absurdity of defunding America’s public media, and much funnier. 🤣
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknM...
Public Media: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
YouTube video by LastWeekTonight
www.youtube.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Don't miss “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” doing public media. It’s as good as any explainer on the absurdity of defunding America’s public media, and much funnier. 🤣
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yknM...
What a wet and wild November! The week-long rainstorm in SoCal brought 13.57 inches near Santa Barbara, and somewhere between 3-7 inches to the Palisades and Eaton burn scars, Jacob Margolis reports for @laist.com
laist.com/news/climate...
laist.com/news/climate...
November deluge breaks rainfall records. New storm will bring snow to Southern California
More than 13 inches of rain fell in the Santa Ynez Mountains over the weekend. And another, colder storm is on the way.
laist.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:19 PM
What a wet and wild November! The week-long rainstorm in SoCal brought 13.57 inches near Santa Barbara, and somewhere between 3-7 inches to the Palisades and Eaton burn scars, Jacob Margolis reports for @laist.com
laist.com/news/climate...
laist.com/news/climate...
Tom Steyer's entrance into CA gov's race will get coverage that focuses on how his personal wealth will reshape the race, but it’s just as notable for how Steyer will occupy a climate lane in the race and eject a different type of debate about energy affordability. legal-planet.org/2025/11/19/m...
A Full-Court Press on Methane, Climate in the Governor's Race - Legal Planet
How Methane Became Enemy No. 1: The Drain is a weekly roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
legal-planet.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Tom Steyer's entrance into CA gov's race will get coverage that focuses on how his personal wealth will reshape the race, but it’s just as notable for how Steyer will occupy a climate lane in the race and eject a different type of debate about energy affordability. legal-planet.org/2025/11/19/m...
The Tropical Forests Forever Facility was a major story last week at COP30. @grist.org’s @fridagarza.bsky.social and @miacelselk.bsky.social have a look at why some Indigenous communities say the TFFF doesn’t go nearly far enough.
grist.org/global-indig...
grist.org/global-indig...
COP30 has big plans to save the rainforest. Indigenous activists say it's not enough.
"We need the government to recognize our climate authority and our role as guardians of biodiversity.”
grist.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The Tropical Forests Forever Facility was a major story last week at COP30. @grist.org’s @fridagarza.bsky.social and @miacelselk.bsky.social have a look at why some Indigenous communities say the TFFF doesn’t go nearly far enough.
grist.org/global-indig...
grist.org/global-indig...
Today is “crunch day” to make progress on fossil fuel language with Lula set to fly back to Belém. 82 countries in Europe, the Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa are edging toward a “roadmap” that various countries could agree to @zcolman.bsky.social writes www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Double down on push to abandon fossil fuels, 82 countries urge at climate summit
Governments across Europe, the Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa embraced the call. The United States did not.
www.politico.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Today is “crunch day” to make progress on fossil fuel language with Lula set to fly back to Belém. 82 countries in Europe, the Pacific islands, Latin America and Africa are edging toward a “roadmap” that various countries could agree to @zcolman.bsky.social writes www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
See me use every sports metaphor to describe the state of play in the fight against planet-warming methane emissions. Plus: the crowded field of candidates vying to be California’s next governor now includes a wealthy climate activist. What'll that mean for debates?
legal-planet.org/2025/11/19/m...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/19/m...
A Full-Court Press on Methane, Climate in the Governor's Race - Legal Planet
How Methane Became Enemy No. 1: The Drain is a weekly roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
legal-planet.org
November 19, 2025 at 6:02 PM
See me use every sports metaphor to describe the state of play in the fight against planet-warming methane emissions. Plus: the crowded field of candidates vying to be California’s next governor now includes a wealthy climate activist. What'll that mean for debates?
legal-planet.org/2025/11/19/m...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/19/m...
Reposted by Evan George
UCLA’s STOP Methane is a new, user-friendly ranking of super-polluting methane emissions. We just released our Spotlight on the Top 25 in ’25: Oil and Gas Sector. The Top 25 sites are mostly in Turkmenistan — but also Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S.
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
November 19, 2025 at 1:48 PM
UCLA’s STOP Methane is a new, user-friendly ranking of super-polluting methane emissions. We just released our Spotlight on the Top 25 in ’25: Oil and Gas Sector. The Top 25 sites are mostly in Turkmenistan — but also Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S.
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
UCLA’s STOP Methane Project just released our Spotlight on the Top 25 in ’25: Oil and Gas Sector. Top 25 sites are mostly in Turkmenistan — but also Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S.
Why is a Texas gas well on this list of extreme methane emissions?
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
Why is a Texas gas well on this list of extreme methane emissions?
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
November 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
UCLA’s STOP Methane Project just released our Spotlight on the Top 25 in ’25: Oil and Gas Sector. Top 25 sites are mostly in Turkmenistan — but also Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S.
Why is a Texas gas well on this list of extreme methane emissions?
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
Why is a Texas gas well on this list of extreme methane emissions?
stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
The same FEMA chief who was MIA during the Texas flood disaster seems to have missed his own resignation. When E&E News asked Richardson about his departure on Monday morning, he replied “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” www.eenews.net/articles/act...
Acting FEMA chief out after short, troubled tenure
Hours before his resignation became public Monday, David Richardson told POLITICO's E&E News that "I have no idea what you're talking about."
www.eenews.net
November 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
The same FEMA chief who was MIA during the Texas flood disaster seems to have missed his own resignation. When E&E News asked Richardson about his departure on Monday morning, he replied “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” www.eenews.net/articles/act...
Reposted by Evan George
We just released our Spotlight on the Top 25 Plumes in ’25: Oil and Gas Sector. Oil & gas sites with the largest detected and quantified methane emissions rates worldwide. The Top 25 are mostly in Turkmenistan — but also Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the US. stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
Spotlight on the Top 25 Plumes in '25: Oil and Gas Sector
The Top 25 in '25 Oil and Gas Sector Ranking includes sites in Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the U.S.
stopmethane.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:48 PM
We just released our Spotlight on the Top 25 Plumes in ’25: Oil and Gas Sector. Oil & gas sites with the largest detected and quantified methane emissions rates worldwide. The Top 25 are mostly in Turkmenistan — but also Venezuela, Iran, Pakistan, and the US. stopmethane.substack.com/p/spotlight-...
Reposted by Evan George
NEWS: UCLA’s STOP Methane Project is live, and we have a Top 25 list of extreme methane emissions from oil and gas. Huge thanks to @whitehouse.senate.gov for sharing. Sign up for updates and see all the rankings: stopmethane.substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:27 PM
NEWS: UCLA’s STOP Methane Project is live, and we have a Top 25 list of extreme methane emissions from oil and gas. Huge thanks to @whitehouse.senate.gov for sharing. Sign up for updates and see all the rankings: stopmethane.substack.com
LA looks like it will record its wettest November in 40 years, and register one-fifth of its annual average rainfall by the end of the weekend. Blessing and a curse like always.
November 15, 2025 at 6:44 PM
LA looks like it will record its wettest November in 40 years, and register one-fifth of its annual average rainfall by the end of the weekend. Blessing and a curse like always.
Reposted by Evan George
Another Dieselgate - hopeful but not optimistic that the eventual settlement money will get spent better!
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
About 1m Ford diesel cars sold in UK with defective emissions controls, court told
Ford denies having created ‘defeat devices’ in legal action on behalf of 1.6 million owners against five carmakers
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Another Dieselgate - hopeful but not optimistic that the eventual settlement money will get spent better!
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Evan George
“Either we decide to change by choice, together, or change will be imposed by tragedy. We can change. But we must do it together”
— Andre Correa do Lago, #COP30 president, in a letter to negotiators at the start of the UN meeting
HT @coveringclimatenow.org
— Andre Correa do Lago, #COP30 president, in a letter to negotiators at the start of the UN meeting
HT @coveringclimatenow.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:44 PM
“Either we decide to change by choice, together, or change will be imposed by tragedy. We can change. But we must do it together”
— Andre Correa do Lago, #COP30 president, in a letter to negotiators at the start of the UN meeting
HT @coveringclimatenow.org
— Andre Correa do Lago, #COP30 president, in a letter to negotiators at the start of the UN meeting
HT @coveringclimatenow.org
Reposted by Evan George
Many Americans today have no memory of the world that spurred modern environmental law. The Documerica project, housed at the National Archives, provides a vivid window into environmental destruction circa the 1970s and reminds us how far we’ve come," writes our Prof. Jim Salzman.
November 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Many Americans today have no memory of the world that spurred modern environmental law. The Documerica project, housed at the National Archives, provides a vivid window into environmental destruction circa the 1970s and reminds us how far we’ve come," writes our Prof. Jim Salzman.
Reposted by Evan George
The motion to formally oppose the gondola was passed 12-1 with only John Lee voting in favor of the project. Katy Yaroslavsky and Imelda Padilla abstained because they’re on the Metro board
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The motion to formally oppose the gondola was passed 12-1 with only John Lee voting in favor of the project. Katy Yaroslavsky and Imelda Padilla abstained because they’re on the Metro board
With 56,118 delegates registered, COP30 is expected to be the 2nd largest in history, says a @carbonbrief.org analysis. There’s a case for changing the format and the cadence of COPs. (Twice a year?) And this year there's a record-number of “virtual delegates.” www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-whi...
Analysis: Which countries have sent the most delegates to COP30? - Carbon Brief
According to the provisional figures, 193 countries, plus the European Union, have registered a delegation for the COP30 summit.
www.carbonbrief.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:42 PM
With 56,118 delegates registered, COP30 is expected to be the 2nd largest in history, says a @carbonbrief.org analysis. There’s a case for changing the format and the cadence of COPs. (Twice a year?) And this year there's a record-number of “virtual delegates.” www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-whi...
“COPs will not solve the climate crisis by themselves, but it looks unlikely that the problem can be solved without COPs” @fionaharvey.bsky.social writes. COP is still the one decision-making arena where all the players in climate politics are present and activated. legal-planet.org/2025/11/12/g...
Good COP, Bad COP in Belém, Brazil - Legal Planet
The United Nations mega-conference focused on climate change known as COP (“Conference of the Parties”) is well underway in Belém, Brazil with 193 countries plus the EU, 57 heads of state, 39 minister...
legal-planet.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:41 PM
“COPs will not solve the climate crisis by themselves, but it looks unlikely that the problem can be solved without COPs” @fionaharvey.bsky.social writes. COP is still the one decision-making arena where all the players in climate politics are present and activated. legal-planet.org/2025/11/12/g...
“Is COP worthwhile?” Some Republicans and environmental justice organizers question the practical value of sending a delegation. The summit can be performative. But CA is filling a power vacuum, and legislators can see solutions that work abroad and bring them home.
calmatters.org/environment/...
calmatters.org/environment/...
Newsom brings California to the heart of the Amazon — and the U.N. climate conference
U.N. negotiations among nations over curbing climate change don't include California, but Gavin Newsom sees a chance for leadership anyway.
calmatters.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:37 PM
“Is COP worthwhile?” Some Republicans and environmental justice organizers question the practical value of sending a delegation. The summit can be performative. But CA is filling a power vacuum, and legislators can see solutions that work abroad and bring them home.
calmatters.org/environment/...
calmatters.org/environment/...
Newsom grabs the spotlight. Big money for methane reductions. China and Brazil fill the power vacuum. Here's the good and bad of COP30.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/12/g...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/12/g...
Good COP, Bad COP in Belém, Brazil - Legal Planet
The United Nations mega-conference focused on climate change known as COP (“Conference of the Parties”) is well underway in Belém, Brazil with 193 countries plus the EU, 57 heads of state, 39 minister...
legal-planet.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Newsom grabs the spotlight. Big money for methane reductions. China and Brazil fill the power vacuum. Here's the good and bad of COP30.
legal-planet.org/2025/11/12/g...
legal-planet.org/2025/11/12/g...