climate

Congress Democrats appear ready to pass new legislation with focus on climate change

7:41pm July 28, 2022

by Laura Benshoff

Democrats in Congress look ready to pass new legislation with significant climate change elements that push the country closer to President Biden's goals.

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In remarks from the White House Thursday, President Biden said the Inflation Reduction Act would reduce pressure on the economy from rising inflation.

Inflation and climate change tackled in new Senate deal that Biden calls 'historic'

5:31pm July 28, 2022

by Deepa Shivaram

"It's a big deal," President Biden said of the Senate Democrats' bill, called the Inflation Reduction Act, at the White House Thursday.

Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., is met by reporters outside the hearing room where he chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., last week.

With Manchin deal, talk of Biden's climate emergency declaration may be dead

5:20pm July 28, 2022

by Scott Neuman

Some legal experts and environmentalists think such a declaration wouldn't have been that useful and would have exposed the president's climate agenda to further judicial and legislative scrutiny.

Many Western states lack building codes that require wildfire-resistant materials, but a new study shows the cost can be minimal.

Environment

Fireproofing your home isn't very expensive — but few states require it

5:07pm July 28, 2022

by Lauren Sommer

Many Western states lack building codes for wildfire-resistant homes. But a new study finds the costs can be minimal, undercutting long-held building industry arguments against such codes.

National

Future storms will put parts of NYC underwater, endangering hundreds of thousands

4:43pm July 28, 2022

National Hurricane Center data show that areas in New York City where public housing exists are at risk as climate change brings more frequent and intense storms.

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Maps of storm surge in Miami, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

These hurricane flood maps reveal the climate future for Miami, NYC and D.C.

12:07pm July 28, 2022

National Hurricane Center data for Miami, Washington, D.C., and New York City show development happening in at-risk areas, even as climate change brings more frequent and intense storms.

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National

Heat wave lessons learned in Pacific Northwest

5:44pm July 27, 2022

by John Ryan

The heat wave of 2021 was the deadliest weather event in Washington state's history. Hundreds died. What has the state learned from that event and are they better prepared for the next one?

National

What life looks for those who stayed and left after Big Creek's fire 2 years ago

5:26pm July 27, 2022

by Alice Daniel

After climate disaster, families are often faced with a decision to rebuild or leave. People in the town of Big Creek, Calif., who made this choice two years ago, are still feeling the repercussions.

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Jonathan Foret of Houma, La., is still waiting on a contractor to fix his kitchen roof nearly a year after Hurricane Ida struck.

National

Insurances woes in coastal Louisiana make hurricane recovery difficult

10:06am July 27, 2022

by Debbie Elliott

With some major insurance companies not offering policies and small firms facing bankruptcy, residents are scrambling to find coverage for this year's hurricane season as structures remain unrepaired.

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National

It's Texas' hottest summer ever. Can the electric grid handle people turning up AC?

6:55pm July 26, 2022

by Mose Buchele

A heatwave in Texas has stressed the state's isolated electricity grid. A new podcast from KUT explores the future of the power grid and whether it'll hold up as residents use more air conditioning.

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