Climate

Two major reports say that climate change is hurting human health too

4:19pm November 15, 2023

by Alejandra Borunda

From extreme heat to wildfire smoke to pollution, fossil-fuel-driven climate change is making people sicker or killing them, according to two major reports. The solution isn't complicated, they say.

A resident rides past the Guohua Power Station in northern China's Hebei province. China and the U.S. have pledged to accelerate their efforts to address climate change ahead of a major U.N. meeting on the issue.

China and the U.S. pledge to step up climate efforts ahead of Biden-Xi summit

8:39am November 15, 2023

by The Associated Press

The nations promised to accelerate efforts to address climate change ahead of a major U.N. meeting on the issue, making plans to cut emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases besides CO2.

Climate-influenced disasters are making people sick. When wildfire smoke from massive fires in Canada blanketed the U.S. in the summer of 2023, emergency rooms saw a spike in admissions for lung problems but also heart attacks and other health issues.

Climate change, fossil fuels hurting people's health, says new global report

6:30pm November 14, 2023

by Alejandra Borunda

The latest Lancet Countdown, an annual analysis from the prestigious medical journal, underscores the vast and growing costs of fossil fuel burning on health.

This national report says climate change is making life harder for Americans

4:36pm November 14, 2023

by Alejandra Borunda

The National Climate Assessment is the most consequential U.S. climate report. Released every five years, it analyzes how climate change impacts every aspect of our lives.

Yo-Yo Ma, Pattie Gonia and Quinn Christopherson made the music video for "Won't Give Up" at Kenai Fjords National Park.

This trio hopes 'Won't Give Up' will become an anthem for the climate movement

3:13pm November 14, 2023

by Chloe Veltman

NPR Tiny Desk contest winner Quinn Christopherson, drag queen Pattie Gonia and world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma would like "Won't Give Up" to be sung at climate change rallies and in concert halls.

World News

A UN gathering on addressing plastic waste draws a variety of voices

12:26pm November 14, 2023

by Julia Simon

A UN gathering in Kenya seeks to address the huge problem of plastic waste. But some at the talks are skeptical of solutions put forth by fossil fuel and plastic industries.

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The aftermath of a mudslide that ripped through villages on the foothills of Mount Elgon in 2012, killing at least 18 people. The slopes of this extinct volcano in eastern Uganda have become increasingly prone to such disasters as a result of climate change. The looming question: How do you help people find a safe new place to live?

Why villagers haven't left a mudslide prone mountain — and how a novel plan might help

10:19am November 14, 2023

by Nurith Aizenman

On an extinct volcano in Uganda, hundreds of thousands face disaster due to climate change. The charity GiveDirectly is trying a surprising approach to help them get out of harm's way.

People work at a landfill in India that's full of plastic bags. Members of the United Nations are negotiating a treaty that's aimed at cutting plastic pollution globally.

The world is awash in plastic. Oil producers want a say in how it's cleaned up

5:00am November 13, 2023

Groups connected to the fossil fuel industry are trying to shape an international treaty to cut plastic pollution. And oil- and gas-producing nations are at the negotiating table.

The Key deer is the smallest deer species in North America. The deer live only in the low-lying Florida Keys. They are considered federally endangered, with an estimated population of around 1,000.

A tiny deer and rising seas: How far should people go to save an endangered species?

5:30am November 12, 2023

The Key deer is losing the only place it lives, raising uncomfortable questions for the people tasked with keeping endangered species alive.

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Science

Rising ocean temperatures mean blue crabs are showing up in Maine lobster traps

5:47pm November 10, 2023

by Nicole Ogrysko

The crab usually associated with the mid-Atlantic is showing up in lobster traps in Maine. Scientists say it's due to the state's quickly warming ocean waters.