Offshore oil development does not stay offshore. California’s coast, estuaries, wetlands, and fisheries are connected by currents, sediments, and infrastructure that carry risk far beyond lease boundaries. This article explores why proposed offshore drilling threatens systems that state and local protections were designed to safeguard.

A carwash is being built next to Rio Ayampe in Ayampe and drains directly into an estuarine system. From a health and water quality perspective,this needs our attention.

Se está construyendo un lavadero de autos junto al río Ayampe, en Ayampe. Por su ubicación, si llega a operar, existe el riesgo de que sus descargas drenen hacia un sistema estuarino. Desde una perspectiva de salud pública y calidad del agua, esto requiere nuestra atención.

During rain events, rivers carry sediment, bacteria, nutrients, and other contaminants from inland landscapes directly to the places where we surf, swim, and spend time in the ocean. Upstream conditions shape nearshore water quality, and shows the connection between rivers, coastlines, and communities. Awareness is a beginning, exploring how our attention and care support the waters we love.

Mangroves are a foundation of coastal resilience. They support fisheries, protect shorelines, and anchor the health of estuaries. In Ecuador, their loss has reshaped both ecosystems and communities, affecting the food webs and livelihoods tied to rivers and coastal waters. This Insight explores what mangroves are, what has been lost, and why their protection matters.

On December 18, the House passed the Mining Regulatory Clarity Act, a bill framed as a technical clarification of mining law. In reality, it reshapes how public lands can be used, expanding mining infrastructure and waste placement without modernizing outdated protections, increasing accountability, or providing fair compensation. This piece looks at what that means for our public lands and water.

Why protecting land and water is the most effective investment in water security