Episode Details

With its frequent earthquakes, mudslides, wildfires, and other maladies, California is no stranger to environmental disaster. But in the long run, even these highly visible effects of climate change pale in comparison to the looming threat of sea-level rise. 

On this episode, Commonweal’s Claudia Avila Cosnahan, a resident of southern California, speaks with Rosanna Xia, an environmental reporter at the LA Times. 

Xia’s new book California Against the Sea blends traditional reportage with an unconventional and important perspective on concepts like “managed retreat,” climate resilience, and what it means to listen to and even love the ocean itself. 

Listen to more Commonweal interviews about climate change: 

• Bill McKibben on suburban carbon emissions
• Dorothy Fortenberry on adapting climate change for TV
• Katie Worth on climate change in schools