Alissa and Mike are joined by journalist Sammy Roth to answer all your questions about LA’s climate and environment goals. Why are green bins clustered on every corner? How can we save even more water? When are we weaning ourselves off coal? And is California slowly losing its status as a global environmental leader? Plus: a new way to think about getting to Dodger Stadium.Los Angeles Times: “Green bins clog L.A. curbs as city’s organic waste program goes into overdrive”Thanks to The Los Feliz Neighborhood Council for the best video on the Great Green Bin Apocalypse of 2025One LA resident estimates the botched bin rollout cost $4 million that Sanitation Department doesn’t haveWhat can you compost in your green bin? Here’s a good guideMeanwhile, many LA residents are about to pay more for less trash pickup while Sanitation general manager Barbara Romero is departing at the end of the year. Some advocates, like Bruce Reznik of LA Waterkeeper are saying she was pushed outLA’s stormwater capture for this water year (since October 1) is equivalent to 10 Rose BowlsNow LADWP is going to double the amount of water it plans to recycle at the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant amidst state orders to take less water from Mono LakeOver at the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), advocates argue another leader was forced out: Adel Hagekhalil, who the board voted to remove after “an investigation into claims of harassment and a toxic workplace"Once again, LA Waterkeeper’s Bruce Reznik has strong feelings about who should lead MWDYes, LA and California are actually getting off coal: this month!LADWP plans to also convert one natural gas plant to hydrogen — although those plans are a bit more controversialBillionaire hedge-fund founder turned environmentalist Tom Steyer announces campaign for governor — what are his climate credentials? He doesn’t mention environmental issues in his launch videoNew York Times: “California’s Environmental Past Confronts Economic Worries of the Present”One way California is starting to backslide: Gavin Newsom seems to be giving up on his 2035 EV mandateSammy has been following the calls for the Dodgers to cut ties with fossil fuel companiesAfter LA’s City Council voted 12-1 to oppose Metro’s environmental review of the gondola, LA Mayor Karen Bass voted to approve the EIR in her Metro board role. She also had a chance to say something — anything! — about the project, and she didn’tSubscribe to Sammy’s newsletter, Climate-Colored GogglesThis week’s episode was produced by Kristen TorresThe reporting and analysis you hear in the show is put together by our rotating cast of producers and co-hosts every week. All opinions expressed on the show are solely those of co-hosts and may not represent the views of LA ForwardWe’re moving our first subscriber-only event to 2026! Become a paid subscriber to LA Podcast at thinkforward.la and you’ll be the first to know the details

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