Environment

Triantha occidentalis, with its dainty white flowers appears innocuous, but its sticky stem helps the plant trap and make a meal of tiny insects.

This Sweet White Flower Is Actually A Sneaky Carnivore, Scientists Discover

5:00pm August 09, 2021

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Carnivorous plants are rare, but now botanists say they've found one that's long been overlooked. It lives just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, and in other parts of the Pacific Northwest.

White House Climate Scientist Reacts To U.N. Report

4:45pm August 09, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Dr. Jane Lubchenco, who leads climate and environment science efforts at the White House, about the findings of the United Nations' major new report on climate change.

Climate Scientists Have Announced A Landmark Warning About The Future Of The Planet

4:44pm August 09, 2021

by Dan Charles

In a landmark report, the world's top climate scientists are warning that Earth is headed toward unprecedented warming. Preventing the worst effects will demand a U-turn away from use of fossil fuels.

'Good' Fires Can Help Slow Wildfires, But The Forest Service Is Too Busy To Use Them

4:44pm August 09, 2021

by Lauren Sommer

Federal agencies are doubling down on stopping extreme wildfires. They're also limiting the use of fire to help with fire prevention, which is concerning some fire scientists.

Firefighters Erik Padilla (left) and Joe Young extinguish hot spots last week while protecting Lake Almanor West homes from the Dixie Fire in California's Plumas County.

The Dixie Fire Is The 2nd Largest In California History And Is Only 21% Contained

4:23pm August 09, 2021

by Bill Chappell

The massive fire has now been burning since mid-July in Northern California. Sheriff's deputies are still looking for four people who lived in the town of Greenville, which was largely destroyed.

Following the Dixie Fire, flames burn in a tree in the Canyondam area of Plumas County, Calif., Friday, Aug. 6.

Environment

Dixie, Bootleg, Goose. How Wildfires Get Their Name

3:37pm August 09, 2021

by Josie Fischels

Across the United States,108 wildfires are burning, mainly in the west. What they're called is important, just as it is with hurricanes and other disasters.

Cars drive down the 110 Freeway toward downtown Los Angeles, California in April 2021. President Biden has pledged to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

What The U.S. Can Do About The Dire Climate Change Report

2:15pm August 09, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

Allison Crimmins, who heads the National Climate Assessment, says the U.N.'s landmark report confirms the need for "significant, sustained action" to reduce emissions.

News Brief: Climate Report, Taliban Gains, Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Trial

10:42am August 09, 2021

A landmark new report finds that climate change is accelerating. Taliban fighters took control of three Afghan cities on Sunday. The maker of Oxycontin, Purdue Pharma, returns to court Monday.

Queue Listen Now

People evacuate from a wildfire north of Athens, Greece, on Friday. A climate-driven heat wave helped create conditions for the fire to burn out of control. Scientists warn that humans are running out of time to curb greenhouse gas emissions and avoid cat

A Major Report Warns Climate Change Is Accelerating And Humans Must Cut Emissions Now

10:15am August 09, 2021

by Rebecca Hersher

The U.N. has released the most comprehensive global climate science report ever. It is unequivocal: Humans must stop burning fossil fuels or suffer catastrophic impacts.

Environment

The U.N. Climate Change Report Is Out. What Should The White House Do?

7:20am August 09, 2021

NPR's Noel King talks to climate scientist Allison Crimmins about the findings of the United Nations' landmark climate report, and what it means for U.S. policy actions.