Environment

The ancient Gondwana Rainforests of Australia were damaged by recent wildfires. A new study finds the world lost roughly one-third of its old growth forest in the past century.

Climate Change And Deforestation Mean Earth's Trees Are Younger And Shorter

11:09am May 29, 2020

by Nathan Rott

A new study finds rising temperatures and climate-driven disasters are helping transform the very makeup of the world's forests. This has major implications for biodiversity and more warming.

Because of the pandemic, the Bureau of Land Management held virtual public hearings in April on a proposal to expand oil drilling in Alaska's North Slope.

Trump Environmental Rollbacks Roll On Despite Pandemic. Opponents Cry Foul

5:01am May 28, 2020

The Trump administration is rushing to finalize some of its biggest environmental rollbacks ahead of November's election. Some affected groups say they're too distracted by the pandemic to engage.

A mural honoring health care workers at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx is seen on the side of a building in Midtown Manhattan on May 11 in New York.

How The Crisis Is Making Racial Inequality Worse

11:27am May 26, 2020

by Greg Rosalsky

Among the bottom fifth of income earners, who are more likely to be black and Latino, about 35% of them lost their jobs.

Tom Rivett-Carnac speaks as part of TED2020: The Prequel. April 22, 2020. Photo courtesy of TED.

Tom Rivett-Carnac: How Can We Shift Our Mindset To Fight Climate Change Together?

9:54am May 22, 2020

by NPR/TED Staff

It's easy to feel powerless against looming challenges we cannot control — like climate change. So what should we do? Political strategist Tom Rivett-Carnac says the power is in our mindset.

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Christiana Figueres speaks at TED2016 - Dream, February 15-19, 2016, Vancouver Convention Center, Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Bret Hartman / TED

Christiana Figueres: How Can We Choose Optimism — Even In The Darkest Times?

9:07am May 22, 2020

by NPR/TED STAFF

In 2015, Christiana Figueres helped pave the path to the historic Paris Agreement. She says more than ever we need stubborn optimism — a gritty, determined choice to make change because we have to.

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Xiye Bastida at the Global Strike in New York City on Sept. 20, 2019.

Xiye Bastida: How Are Young People Making The Choice To Fight Climate Change?

9:07am May 22, 2020

by NPR/TED STAFF

For some youth, being part of the solution means focusing their entire lives on the climate crisis. For Xiye Bastida, a 17-year-old climate justice activist, there is no hope without action.

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Oliver Jeffers speaks as part of TED2020: The Prequel. April 22, 2020. Photo courtesy of TED.

Oliver Jeffers: An Ode To Living On Earth

9:07am May 22, 2020

by NPR/TED STAFF

If you had to explain to a newborn what it means to live on Earth, at this time of crisis — what would you say? Writer, illustrator, and artist Oliver Jeffers gives his answer in a letter to his son.

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Three hurricanes form in the Atlantic in September 2018. Forecasters predict three to six major hurricanes during the 2020 season, which is above average.

Hurricane Season Will Be Above Average, NOAA Warns

3:50pm May 21, 2020

by Rebecca Hersher

Federal forecasters expect 3 to 6 major hurricanes during the 2020 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 1. Rising seas and a warmer climate make storms of all sizes more damaging.

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Chart showing drop in total miles driven and miles coming back up.

Our Pandemic Habits Cut Carbon Emissions, But It's Not Clear They'll Last

8:33am May 21, 2020

by Jeff Brady

Energy demand plummeted because of the pandemic shutdown. A big question is whether new habits like telecommuting and flying less will endure, and mean lower oil consumption in the future.

The CA-110, a highway that's frequently jam-packed with California commuters, saw extremely light traffic in March.

As States Locked Down In March, Motor Vehicle Fatality Rate Spiked By 14%

7:21pm May 20, 2020

by Hannah Hagemann

In March, likely because of coronavirus restrictions, the number of miles driven decreased by over 18% from the March 2019 level.