How the debt ceiling deal compromises on the environment
A deal to raise the country's debt limit also includes changes to a bedrock environmental law and approves a controversial natural gas pipeline.
Climate
Storm surge from hurricanes is deadly. New computer models can better forecast it
The National Hurricane Center is upgrading the computer models it uses to predict storm surge. People will be able to see maps about how much storm surge is predicted when a storm is headed their way.
A startup is helping California remove carbon from the air to meet climate goals
California will need to remove about 100 million tons of heat-trapping gasses each year to meet its ambitious climate goals. A new startup stepped in and is attracting millions to support the effort.
Ahead of $15 billion climate deal, Vietnam's human rights record is scrutinized
Activists want wealthy countries and investment institutions to address Vietnam's human rights record before they provide funds to the country to address climate change.
State Farm has stopped accepting homeowner insurance applications in California
The announcement is the latest development in what has been a years-long issue in California: insurance companies dropping homeowners because of the growing risk of wildfires.
California is still at risk of flooding. Maybe rivers just need some space
To prevent flooding, communities often raise levees next to rivers higher and higher. Now, a new approach is about backing off, moving levees away from rivers to create floodplains.
Fixit culture is on the rise, but repair legislation faces resistance
U.S. consumers are showing an increased interest in prolonging the life of the things they own, rather than throwing them out. But some products are easier to fix than others.
Local farmers in South Africa were cut out of rooibos tea cash. Now change is brewing
For generations, the Khoisan people harvested the rooibos plant to make tea. As this caffeine-free drink has grown trendy — 9,000 tons exported a year — they've been cut out of revenues. Until now.
Vietnam's human rights record is being scrutinized ahead of $15 billion climate deal
Environmental and human rights groups say Vietnam's crackdown on civil society will undermine an international climate program that's also aimed at boosting the country's economic development.
Phoenix boosts spending on heat relief as weather-related casualties skyrocket
Last year a record number of people died from heat-related causes in Maricopa County. This year, local government is spending more on heat mitigation than ever before, with the help of ARPA funds.