In Our Backyard


Climate change is a big, global problem. But in Southern California, the impacts are unique. We’ve got megacities, coastlines, mountains, deserts and forests, after all. Not to mention the diverse communities throughout. In Our Backyard is a six-part series from Warren Olney that explores the ways this region is changing and what locals are doing to mitigate the effects — now and in the coming decades.

With rising heat, deadly drought, and erratic storms, the desert tortoise needs your help.

from To the Point

California deserts are unique in the world, but heat and drought threaten plants and animals with extinction.

from To the Point

Rising seas got you confused? Severine Fournier from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab explains the basics of our warming ocean as a result of climate change.

In Our Backyard No. 5 (bonus): Melting icebergs are the least of your worries when it comes to rising seas. Satellites prove it

Rising seas got you confused? Severine Fournier from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab explains the basics of our warming ocean as a result of climate change.

from To the Point

Scientists say that all 800 miles of California beaches may disappear in the next 80 years because of sea level rise caused by climate change.

In Our Backyard No. 5: Sea level rise means life on California’s beaches is ending up on the rocks

Scientists say that all 800 miles of California beaches may disappear in the next 80 years because of sea level rise caused by climate change.

from To the Point

California wildfires are dangerous, but they don’t have to be deadly.

In Our Backyard No. 4 (bonus): Are you ready for the next wildfire? Get set for the hottest tips on preparedness when it’s time to go

California wildfires are dangerous, but they don’t have to be deadly.

from To the Point

Native Californians used fire to fight fire for thousands of years, but the cultural burning was virtually banned when settlers arrived.

In Our Backyard No. 4: Fire is part of California’s natural landscape. We’ll always be waiting for the next, inevitable smoke out

Native Californians used fire to fight fire for thousands of years, but the cultural burning was virtually banned when settlers arrived.

from To the Point

Live in a heat island? Want to know more? This is a special third bonus episode to In Our Backyard: Heat is the deadliest aspect of climate change.

In Our Backyard No. 3 (bonus): Heat islands are killers, but they don’t have to be

Live in a heat island? Want to know more? This is a special third bonus episode to In Our Backyard: Heat is the deadliest aspect of climate change.

from To the Point

Redlining and other forms of discrimination have turned LA’s Black and Brown neighborhoods into “urban heat islands” that are especially vulnerable to climate change.

In Our Backyard No. 3: Heat is the deadliest aspect of climate change. It’s turning some underserved LA neighborhoods red hot

Redlining and other forms of discrimination have turned LA’s Black and Brown neighborhoods into “urban heat islands” that are especially vulnerable to climate change.

from To the Point

Pollution blows. Here are some helpful ways to keep your lungs healthy.

In Our Backyard No. 2 (bonus): Fresh air is hard to find in the big cities. Here are tips to keep you safe

Pollution blows. Here are some helpful ways to keep your lungs healthy.

from To the Point

In episode two of “In Our Backyard,” host Warren Olney hears how fighting both global warming and environmental injustice go hand in hand.

In Our Backyard No. 2: Greenhouse emissions we can't see are often out of mind, causing pollution power lines

In episode two of “In Our Backyard,” host Warren Olney hears how fighting both global warming and environmental injustice go hand in hand.

from To the Point

Sherman Indian High School was once part of systematic genocide against Native Americans. Now, it’s a place of healing.

In Our Backyard No. 1 (bonus): Sherman Indian High School, from an institution of cultural genocide to a place of healing

Sherman Indian High School was once part of systematic genocide against Native Americans. Now, it’s a place of healing.

from To the Point

Southern California has a unique relationship with climate change. So what’s happening now? How did we get here? And what can we do? This first episode of "In Our Backyard."

In Our Backyard No. 1: Warren Olney looks at the changing climate in Southern California

Southern California has a unique relationship with climate change. So what’s happening now? How did we get here? And what can we do? This first episode of "In Our Backyard."

from To the Point