Boiling Point

This week, we're sharing an episode of Living Planet, a podcast by the German broadcaster DW. It explores the idea of 15-minute cities — and why the climate-friendly concept is drawing backlash.Read more about Living Planet:https://www.dw.com/en/living-planet/program-19028671

After the Eaton and Palisades fires, federal agencies skipped standard testing for toxic metals in the soil of burned homes. A team of L.A. Times reporters, led by Tony Briscoe, stepped in to collect samples and investigate what was left behind. What they found was alarming.Read their investigation: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-05-04/the-government-wont-test-soil-on-properties-burned-in-the-la-fires-so-we-did-it-ourselves 

In this panel discussion, some of the American West’s leading climate activists, scientists and policymakers share their thoughts on the first few months of the Trump administration – and why they’re still hopeful about holding the fossil fuel industry accountable. Our guests are climate scientist Emily Fischer, California State Sen. Lena Gonzalez, environmental activist Anne Hedges and former Biden administration official Nada Wolff Culver.

Sammy Roth tours the largest solar and battery storage facility ever built for Los Angeles. He also sits down with the L.A. Department of Water and Power’s CEO to learn what it’ll take to get to 100% clean electricity by 2035.https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2024-12-05/column-l-a-s-massive-new-solar-farm-is-cheap-and-impressive-more-please-boiling-point

California’s climate goals demand a radical rethink of how we build — and how we move. Carter Rubin of NRDC breaks down the promise and peril of permitting reform, why it’s so hard to build climate-friendly cities, and what it’ll take to get Angelenos out of their cars.

A North Dakota jury hit Greenpeace with a staggering $666 million judgment for its role in the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. Investigative reporter Miranda Green tells Sammy Roth how fossil fuel interests may have tried to influence the jury, one fake newspaper at a time — and why this isn’t an isolated incident.Read Miranda’s recent story here:https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/03/a-pipeline-company-is-suing-greenpeace-for-300-million-a-pay-to-play-newspaper-is-accused-of-tainting-the-jury-pool/

Southern California Edison is facing intense scrutiny after the Eaton fire, including dozens of lawsuits over the utility company’s possible role in igniting the blaze. Sammy Roth sits down with Edison International CEO Pedro Pizarro to discuss wildfire prevention, climate change, the future of energy in California and who really pays when disaster strikes.

California’s fight over rooftop solar has divided climate advocates, pitting solar companies against economists and regulators. In this episode, two leading voices—Brad Heavner and Severin Borenstein—debate whether the state’s decision to slash rooftop solar incentives was a mistake or a necessary reform.Read Sammy Roth’s recent Boiling Point column, “California’s rooftop solar infighting is a colossal waste of time”:https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2025-03-06/column-californias-rooftop-solar-infighting-is-a-colossal-waste-of-time-boiling-point

Los Angeles Times journalist Susanne Rust shares her eye-opening experience documenting her daily interactions with plastic. Despite being an expert on the topic, she was stunned by the sheer volume of plastic in her life, from single-use items to everyday essentials. Susanne and Sammy also discuss the current state of plastic regulation in California, including a much-criticized decision by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Berkeley’s Boichik Bagels helped defeat a climate-friendly gas tax, arguing that great bagels need gas ovens. We talk with owner Emily Winston about tradition, business, and whether the future of cooking can be electric.https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2024-11-21/column-why-californias-favorite-bagel-shop-is-defending-fossil-fuels-boiling-point

 Ian James is a veteran climate and water reporter at the Los Angeles Times. His recent stories have exposed misinformation surrounding California’s water supplies and wildfire response — including a political stunt by President Trump. Together, he and Sammy break down the facts that will shape our climate future, and our ability to survive it.

Sammy Roth sits down with environmental activist John Francis, also known as the "Planetwalker." John shares his extraordinary journey, from a 17-year vow of silence to walking and bicycling across continents, all in the name of environmental justice. He explains how hope, empathy, and kindness aren’t just virtues—they’re a form of protest.Link to the “Planetwalker” short doc: https://www.latimes.com/00000193-55c8-d42e-a99f-5fd8041b0000-123

Comedian Esteban Gast talks with Sammy about using humor to alleviate climate anxiety, while making clean energy and other environmental solutions more interesting — and even fun. From punchlines to policy, they explore laughter as a powerful tool for change.

Bill McKibben is an acclaimed environmental activist and journalist, and the co-founder of 350.org. As spring training gets underway, Sammy and Bill discuss fossil fuel advertising at Dodger Stadium, and how oil and gas industry “sportswashing” is taking advantage of America’s national pastime.

This week, Sammy goes for a hike in one of America’s newest national monuments, designated last month by President Biden. He’s joined by retired federal wildlife biologist Russell Scofield, who spent years working to balance renewable energy development and conservation on public lands. Link to the Boiling Point newsletter: https://www.latimes.com/environment/newsletter/2025-02-06/column-forget-trumps-wrecking-ball-heres-how-to-treat-americas-public-lands-boiling-point

Los Angeles Times environmental reporter and Pulitzer Prize finalist Rosanna Xia joins Sammy to discuss her book, “California Against the Sea. They talk about the need to adapt to climate change as rising temperatures and a shifting coastline create a different California than the one we know and love.Link to Rosanna’s book, “California Against the Sea”: https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/california-against-the-sea/Link to an excerpt of Rosanna’s book: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-08-22/the-california-coast-is-under-siege-how-can-we-save-it-from-sea-level-riseLink to the trailer for “Out of Plain Sight”: https://www.outofplainsight.com/aboutLink to tickets for Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Slamdance Film Festival in Los Angeles: https://www.outofplainsight.com/tickets

What will the second Trump administration mean for climate and clean energy – and is there still hope for a better future? Sammy interviews Ann Carlson, an environmental law professor at UCLA and former Biden administration official. They talk about President Trump’s inaugural address, his Day 1 executive orders and his planned exit from the Paris climate agreement. They also discuss what California and other states and cities can do to keep making progress on climate.

Sammy is joined by Kelly Sanders, an engineering professor at USC and former White House advisor on energy policy. They talk about what the fires mean for the future of Los Angeles, and how the city might adapt as the planet heats up and the climate crisis worsens.

Climate change is battering California. Can the state find a way forward? Listen every Thursday as award-winning L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth breaks down the many complexities of today's climate challenges and solutions with top experts in the field.