Environment

In Historic Move, Biden To Pick Native American Rep. Haaland As Interior Secretary

9:38pm December 17, 2020

by Nathan Rott

Deb Haaland would be the first Native American Cabinet secretary. She opposed many Trump environmental rollbacks and considers climate change "the challenge of our lifetime."

While on the campaign trail, President Trump, seen here on the South Lawn of the White House in June, frequently bemoaned what he viewed as insufficient water pressure of devices like showerheads.

Trump Bemoaned Water Pressure. Now His Administration Has Eased Standards

3:07pm December 17, 2020

by Barbara Sprunt

The Trump administration said the two new rules are a victory for Americans' "quality of life," but environmental advocates say the changes will waste water and drive up utility bills.

President-elect Joe Biden is set to name Brenda Mallory to lead his Environmental Quality Council.

Biden To Nominate Brenda Mallory To Run Council On Environmental Quality

12:51pm December 17, 2020

Mallory, an Obama veteran, would take the helm at a White House office where she worked as former general counsel. The CEQ is seen as critical to address climate change and environmental equity.

Environment

The Environmental Upside To The COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns

6:05am December 17, 2020

by Lauren Sommer

Many communities are locking down again due to the case surges, giving scientists more of a chance to see how that's changing the environment. They're finding it's affecting air and water quality.

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A jetliner arrives at London's Heathrow Airport earlier this year. On Wednesday, the U.K.'s highest court reversed a ban on the airport's controversial plans for a third runway.

U.K.'s Top Court Lifts Ban On Heathrow's Plans For 3rd Runway

2:13pm December 16, 2020

by Colin Dwyer

The unanimous judgment represents a stinging reversal for climate activists, who had won a lower-court ruling earlier this year against the major international hub on environmental grounds.

Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm speaks during a TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco in 2019.

Biden Plans To Nominate Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm As Energy Secretary

8:09pm December 15, 2020

by Jennifer Ludden

The former Michigan governor brings experience in promoting clean-energy manufacturing. She worked with the Obama administration on an automaker bailout that pushed investment in green technology.

Gina McCarthy, seen here in January, was head of the Environmental Protection Agency during the Obama administration.

Biden To Name Gina McCarthy, Former EPA Chief, As Domestic Climate Coordinator

8:05pm December 15, 2020

McCarthy has an ambitious assignment: coordinating efforts across the entire federal government aimed at drastically — and quickly — lowering U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

People watch the Blue Cut Fire in Lytle Creek, Calif., in 2016.

U.N. Report: In The Age Of Humans, 'The Dominant Risk To Our Survival Is Ourselves'

6:15pm December 15, 2020

by Laurel Wamsley

On the United Nations' new Planetary Pressures-Adjusted Human Development Index, the United States drops 45 places from its overall ranking, a reflection of the country's outsize environmental impact.

John Kerry, Biden's Pick For Climate Envoy, To Face Big Challenge On Climate Change

3:52pm December 15, 2020

by Scott Detrow

In his future role as climate envoy, John Kerry will face the daunting challenge of trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and navigating between climate activists and skeptics.

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The Backcountry Boom

6:30am December 15, 2020

by Greg Rosalsky

In mountains across America, skiers and snowboarders are ditching ski lifts and heading into the backcountry. We talked with a pioneer of backcountry snowboarding about how we got here.