climate

Transmission Lines Are Vital In The Shift To Clean Energy. But They're A Hard Sell

4:55pm September 29, 2021

by Rachel McDevitt

Shifting to clean electricity will require many more major transmission lines, something residents of some areas may not want. The infrastructure bill in Congress could make the lines easier to build.

National

Wildlife Officials Take 23 Species Off The Endangered List Due To Extinction

4:55pm September 29, 2021

by Nathan Rott

Nearly two dozen species are being removed from the endangered species list because they are extinct. More than a million other species are at risk of extinction because of human activities.

Northern California Has Been Hit With A Startling Increase Of Wildfire Smoke

6:14am September 29, 2021

by Farida Jhabvala Romero

Northern California has seen dramatic increases in wildfire smoke in recent years. An investigation from the California Newsroom collaborative shows it is affecting rural schools in particular.

Long Wildfire Seasons Also Mean Extended Periods Of Dangerous Air Quality

5:04pm September 28, 2021

by Farida Jhabvala Romero / KQED

Millions of Americans have been exposed to a tremendous rise in wildfire smoke in recent years. People in rural Northern California are seeing some of the longest periods of smoke.

Cities And Homeowners Look For Ways To Prevent Flood Deaths In Basement Apartments

4:50pm September 28, 2021

by Lydia McMullen-Laird

Recent flood deaths highlighted the dangers of living in basement apartments. Experts are looking for ways to keep people safer below ground and alternative affordable housing so they won't have to.

Advocates Say Wind Farm Plans Interfere With Fertile Fishing Areas

7:48am September 28, 2021

by Susan Phillips

The Biden administration has opened the East Coast to massive offshore wind development. But it will happen in some of the country's most fertile fishing grounds, and that's set up a growing battle.

Mary Bradshaw's house in Elkhorn, Ore., in February. The fire-hardened home was one of the few that survived last year's Beachie Creek Fire in the area.

Oregon Has A New Plan To Protect Homes From Wildfire. Homebuilders Are Pushing Back

11:54am September 27, 2021

by Cassandra Profita

Industry groups and property owners are wary of mandating fire-resistant materials in new construction. There's also controversy over exactly where the new rules should be required.

Hurricane Sam has not triggered any storm warnings or watches, but forecasters are keeping a close eye on the storm, with it predicted to reach major hurricane status on Saturday.

84-Degree Ocean Waters Will Turn Sam Into A Major Hurricane On Saturday

4:40pm September 24, 2021

by Bill Chappell

The storm is forecast to intensify rapidly as it passes over warm water far out in the Atlantic, the National Hurricane Center says. It's too soon to predict where or when Sam might affect land.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Science

Boris Johnson Urges World Leaders To Act With Renewed Urgency On Climate Change

5:31pm September 23, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, the British prime minister said the global community needs to "listen to the warnings of the scientists."

U.N. Climate Conference President On 'Last Best Chance' To Combat Global Warming

4:40pm September 23, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Alok Sharma, president of the United Nations climate change conference COP 26, which is set to take place in Glasgow after being postponed a year.