Environment

An update on Maui's wildfire disaster from Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono

4:22pm August 10, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers speaks with Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono about the wildfires on the island of Maui. President Biden approved a major disaster declaration, making funds available to those effected.

A female red wolf is shown in its habitat at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, N.C.

More endangered red wolves will be released in the U.S. under a legal settlement

1:20pm August 10, 2023

by Emily Olson

There were only an estimated seven red wolves left in the wild when a coalition of conservation organizations decided to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

US commits to releasing more endangered red wolves into the wild, settling lawsuit

1:15pm August 10, 2023

by Associated Press

The U.S.

Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council, wants to see tribal members as co-managers of the sanctuary, a reflection of those who originally lived there.

Environment

After decades, a tribe's vision for a new marine sanctuary could be coming true

11:36am August 10, 2023

by Lauren Sommer

The Biden administration is moving ahead with what could be the largest national marine sanctuary in the continental U.S. A Native American tribe is hoping to be partners in managing it.

Queue Listen Now

Satellite images show utter devastation from wildfires in Maui

10:48am August 10, 2023

Hundreds of homes, buildings and structures have been destroyed in the historic town of Lahaina.

Amid a water crisis, Arizona is using lots of it to grow alfalfa to export overseas

5:29pm August 09, 2023

NPR's Juana Summers talks with Reveal reporter Nathan Halverson about Arizona's investment in a major land deal that effectively ships the state's limited water supply overseas in the form of hay.

Queue Listen Now

People watch as smoke and flames fill the air from raging wildfires Tuesday on Front Street in downtown Lahaina on Maui.

Hawaii wildfires kill at least 6 people and destroy homes on Maui

5:17pm August 09, 2023

by The Associated Press

A wildfire destroyed dozens of homes and businesses in a historic tourist town, killing at least six people and injuring two dozen others. Panicked residents jumped into the ocean to flee the flames.

The wildfires in Maui are unusually destructive due to Hurricane Dora's winds

5:09pm August 09, 2023

by Bill Dorman

Hundreds of acres of wildfires have burned on Maui, driven by winds that were increased by Hurricane Dora. The fires have caused power outages, evacuations, road closures and destroyed buildings.

Queue Listen Now

Pricey seawall in Virginia won't address key impacts of climate change, critics fear

4:42pm August 09, 2023

by Katherine Hafner

Norfolk, Va., is one of the cities most at risk from sea level rise. It's now working on a floodwall project which critics worry won't address key impacts of climate change or protect people equally.

Queue Listen Now

Trash collectors from Marsabit Safi Services offload waste at the Dadach Boshe dump. Even though Kenyan banned single-use plastic bags in 2016, they're still piling up at the dump and blowing off to litter the landscape and bodies of water.

The toughest plastic bag ban is failing: A tale of smugglers, dumps and dying goats

12:01pm August 09, 2023

by Scovian Lillian

Kenya was hailed for its decision to outlaw single use plastic bags in 2016, with remarkably hefty penalties. So why are the bags back in stores, piling up in dumps — and being ingested by livestock?