Environment

Probe finds that the largest wildfire in Texas history was 'ignited by power lines'

12:01am March 12, 2024

by Julia Simon

The U.S. faces a dangerous combination of aging utility infrastructure and rising wildfire risk because of global warming. Experts say many utilities aren't employing solutions to reduce the threat.

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Receding water in Utah's Great Salt Lake is seen on March 5. Environmentalists are suing the state to force water cutbacks to farmers to save the Great Salt Lake.

Farmers accused of drying up the imperiled Great Salt Lake say they can help save it

6:54pm March 11, 2024

by Kirk Siegler

Environmentalists are suing Utah to force water cutbacks to farmers to save the Great Salt Lake. Farmers call the blame unfair and say that would have its own environmental and economic consequences.

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The Great Lakes saw low levels of ice cover over the winter, which was the warmest on record in the U.S.

Environment

U.S. has warmest winter on record – and no, that's not a good thing

6:01am March 09, 2024

by Lauren Sommer

From lack of snow to wildfires, a record-warm winter had impacts across the country. Scientists say winters are warming faster than any other season in the U.S.

A man looks out over the Colorado River near Page, Arizona on Nov. 2, 2022. The seven states that manage the river are divided about how to account for the impacts of climate change in new plans about sharing its water.

As a deadline approaches, Colorado River states are still far apart on water sharing

6:28pm March 08, 2024

by Alex Hager

Ahead of a deadline next week, the seven states that share the Colorado River have revealed competing plans for how the river should be managed in the future.

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Sandra Martínez Martínez shows the dirty tap water she and her family are using as toilet water at her home in the municipality of Ecatepec, in the State of Mexico, on Sunday.

Mexico City's long-running water problems are getting even worse

5:00am March 08, 2024

by Emily Green

Reservoirs that furnish a large part of the Mexican capital have fallen to historic lows, as low rainfall, climate change and mismanagement exacerbate the problem.

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Charlotte the pregnant stingray swims in her aquarium in Hendersonville, N.C.

A stingray named Charlotte got pregnant — exactly how remains a mystery

4:56pm March 07, 2024

by Lydia Wilson

The world is waiting for a stingray to give birth in the small town of Hendersonville, N.C. That's because it's not clear how she got pregrant, as there's no other stingray in the aquarium.

Caecilians are amphibians that look superficially like very large earthworms. New research suggests that at least one species of caecilian also produces "milk" for its hatchlings.

Researchers have found an amphibian that makes milk for its babies

2:33pm March 07, 2024

by Geoff Brumfiel

The snake-like amphibian is native to Brazil. Researchers say the milk in many ways resembles that produced by mammals.

John Kerry says "we can win this fight" against climate change.

U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry is giving up the job title — but not the fight

12:15pm March 07, 2024

Outgoing climate envoy John Kerry talks about leaving the job, how another Donald Trump presidency could impact the fight against climate change, and how he remains hopeful.

Yellowstone National Park employee housing that opened in 2022 under construction

Donor gives $40 million for Yellowstone National Park employee housing

5:00am March 07, 2024

by Nick Mott

Yellowstone employs more than 3,000 people at peak season, finding enough affordable housing for them has long been a problem.

A flare burns off methane and other hydrocarbons as oil pumpjacks operate in the Permian Basin in Midland, Texas. Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas is the main driver of global warming.

Corporate America has new climate rules to follow, but will they cut global warming?

4:59pm March 06, 2024

by Michael Copley

The Securities and Exchange Commission is requiring publicly-traded companies to disclose information about the risks they face from climate change. Industry is expected to sue to stop the rules.