Environment

House Democrats Form New 'Climate Crisis' Committee

5:41pm December 30, 2018

This past week Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi announced a new Select Committee on the Climate Crisis. NPR's Don Gonyea speaks with Rep. Kathy Castor who will head up the committee in the new Congress.

In this photo from March, a North Atlantic right whale feeds off the coast of Massachusetts. A new North Atlantic right whale calf was just spotted — and it's the first calf sighting in over a year.

Endangered Species Observers Have Spotted The First Right Whale Calf Of The Season

4:51pm December 29, 2018

by Jenny Gathright

The sighting is a glimmer of hope for a species that has seen a hard few years: 19 right whales died in 2017 and 2018, and not a single North American right whale calf was seen last season.

Indonesian Navy personnel watch as Anak Krakatau spews volcanic materials into the waters of Indonesia's Sunda Strait this week.

Earthquake Off Philippine Coast Hits A Region Already On High Alert

4:11pm December 29, 2018

by Jenny Gathright

U.S. Geological Survey says it was magnitude 7.0. No casualties have been reported. On Dec. 22, a tsunami, likely caused by the volcano Anak Krakatau, hit Indonesia and killed about 430 people.

How Environmental Policies Fared In Trump's Cross Hairs In 2018

8:24am December 29, 2018

NPR's Debbie Elliott asks Bloomberg energy reporter Jennifer Dlouhy about the Trump administration's moves to weaken environmental regulations this past year.

The Trump administration EPA says regulations to reduce power plant emissions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants are too costly and should no longer be considered legally "appropriate and necessary."

Trump EPA Says Mercury Limits On Coal Plants Too Costly, Not 'Necessary'

3:47pm December 28, 2018

The EPA says it will keep limits on toxic mercury emissions from coal plants but now deems them not cost-effective. Environmental groups worry the move could hinder future regulations.

Jay McAbee, a bus driver with the Greenville, S.C., school district, waits by his bus in Charleston, S.C., in October of 2016, for word of when to start evacuating the city's residents in advance of Hurricane Matthew. Simply having enough buses to carry p

Safely Evacuating The Elderly In Any Emergency Takes Planning And Practice

5:00am December 28, 2018

by Rebecca Ellis

After three hurricanes, a big snow storm and an ice storm, residents and staff of a retirement community in Charleston are starting to view evacuations as the reality of growing old on the coast.

The devastation from Hurricane Michael over Mexico Beach, Fla. A massive federal report released in November warns that climate change is fueling extreme weather disasters like hurricanes and wildfires.

2018 Was A Milestone Year For Climate Science (If Not Politics)

5:24pm December 27, 2018

by Christopher Joyce

2018 saw a string of more precise — and dire — assessments that a warming climate is affecting the weather. That didn't keep President Trump and others from questioning those scientific conclusions.

Colorado Governor-Elect Pushes For 100 Percent Renewable Energy

5:13pm December 27, 2018

by Grace Hood

Colorado's incoming governor Jared Polis is among a number of state Democratic leaders pledging more action on climate as the Trump administration pulls back.

Queue Listen Now

Environment

Examining The Link Between Climate And Weather

6:56am December 27, 2018

by Christopher Joyce

It was this year when scientists ratcheted up their warnings about the effects of a warming climate on weather. And the weather itself showed that scientists' predictions are getting better.

Queue Listen Now

Ash spewing from Mount Etna is seen from the Italian city of Catania on Monday. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake followed, early Wednesday morning.

Sicily Is Shaken By Earthquake As Mount Etna Erupts Once Again

7:40pm December 26, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

The volcano erupted two days ago, triggering 1,000 mostly small tremors. At least 10 people were injured and a number of buildings were damaged in Wednesday's quake.