Environment

3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over 'forever chemicals' in public water systems

11:08am June 23, 2023

3M has reached a $10 billion settlement over "forever chemicals" in drinking water. NPR's Debbie Elliott talks with Scott Summy, an attorney for water systems that sued the chemical maker.

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Giant African land snails — seen here in 2019 — have been spotted recently in three counties in Florida, spurring state officials to enact quarantines and eradication efforts against the invasive pests.

Florida once again has a giant African land snail problem

5:01am June 23, 2023

by Laurel Wamsley

The state is moving quickly to destroy the snails before the snails destroy Florida's crops. The snails contain both male and female reproductive organs and lay up to 500 eggs at a time.

Eva Stebel, water researcher, pours a water sample into a smaller glass container for experimentation as part of drinking water and PFAS research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Center For Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response on Feb. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati.

3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of water systems

11:04pm June 22, 2023

by The Associated Press

The deal would compensate water providers for pollution with substances known collectively as PFAS, described as "forever chemicals" because they don't degrade naturally in the environment.

The white spots on a monarch butterfly's wings may help it migrate, according to a new study.

Monarch butterflies' white spots may help them fly farther, scientists say

4:38pm June 21, 2023

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Monarch butterflies with more white spots on their mostly orange-and-black wings are more successful at long-distance migration. Some scientists think the spots may affect airflow around their wings.

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A new channel on the Yellowstone river near Livingston, Mont. that was created by flooding last year.

A year after Yellowstone floods, fishing guides have to learn 'a whole new river'

11:32am June 21, 2023

by Olivia Weitz

A year ago the Yellowstone River had its biggest flood in centuries. What that means for its world famous trout fishery is just now becoming clear.

Submersible pilot Randy Holt and Stockton Rush, CEO and co-founder of OceanGate, dive in the company's Antipodes submersible off the Florida coast in 2013. Rescuers are racing to find a missing OceanGate submersible before the oxygen supply runs out for five people, including Rush, who were on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic.

OceanGate wants to change deep-sea tourism, but its missing sub highlights the risks

9:38am June 21, 2023

by Scott Neuman

OceanGate's expeditions to the Titanic were meant to herald a new era for deep-sea tourism, but the company's missing submersible has instead underscored the danger these journeys can bring.

Two cotton-top tamarin monkeys are seen with their newborn twins at Walt Disney World.

A pair of rare cotton-top tamarin monkeys were just born at Walt Disney World

2:07pm June 20, 2023

by Joe Hernandez

The white-haired species is critically endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Eva Lighthiser, 17, is sworn in to take the stand last week during the first day of a youth-led legal challenge of Montana's climate policies.

Defense arguments are set to open in a landmark climate case brought by Montana youth

6:28pm June 19, 2023

by Ellis Juhlin

The only youth climate change lawsuit to make it all the way to trial is underway in Montana.

Groundwater availability in Arizona will limit development in the Phoenix area

4:40pm June 19, 2023

by Katherine Davis-Young

Arizona is limiting development in the Phoenix metro area due to a lack of groundwater. But the development party isn't over.

Matthias Huss, a glaciologist and head of the Swiss measurement network 'Glamos', for ETH (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) walks up to the Rhone Glacier near Goms, Switzerland, Friday, June 16, 2023.

Swiss voters support climate bill as scientists warn about melting glaciers

3:23am June 19, 2023

by The Associated Press

The referendum to introduce new climate measures was sparked by a campaign by scientists and environmentalists to save Switzerland's iconic glaciers, which are melting away at an alarming rate.