Environment

In Alaska, warmer days can bring catastrophic flooding as frozen rivers break up

5:26pm May 13, 2022

by Emily Schwing

Spring comes late to western Alaska and brings a mix of anxiety and anticipation. Citizen scientists use traditional knowledge to predict river breakup and flooding for dozens of remote communities.

Solar and wind power projects have been booming in California, like the Pine Tree Wind Farm and Solar Power Plant in the Tehachapi Mountains, but that doesn't mean fossil fuels are fading away quickly.

California just ran on 100% renewable energy, but fossil fuels aren't fading away yet

11:35am May 13, 2022

by Lauren Sommer

California broke its record for renewable energy when solar and wind provided enough to meet all consumer demand. At the time, natural gas power plants were still on, a necessity for the grid.

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A mural of Elon Musk in downtown Brownsville by Alexander Gonzalez-Hernandez.

Housing costs skyrocket as SpaceX expands in Texas city

11:34am May 13, 2022

by Gaige Davila | TPR

SpaceX plans to launch rockets near Brownsville, Texas, and send the first person to Mars from there. Seven years after breaking ground, residents say the only thing skyrocketing is housing prices.

A plane drops fire retardant onto the fire on Thursday in Laguna Niguel, Calif.

California's coastal fire has destroyed at least 20 homes

7:31pm May 12, 2022

by Rina Torchinsky

The cause of the fire, which stretched about 200 acres as of Thursday morning, remains under investigation.

Incandescent lightbulbs are on the way out. So which new lightbulb should you choose?

5:13pm May 11, 2022

by Jeff Brady

The Biden administration is phasing out incandescent lightbulbs. Here's how to pick a longer lasting and more energy-efficient option.

Adam Farkes and Leo Azevedo of BNRG at a solar energy project in Augusta, Maine. A bigger project planned on the far side of the fence is on hold because of a federal trade investigation.

Solar projects are on hold as U.S. investigates whether China is skirting trade rules

8:08am May 11, 2022

A federal investigation of allegations that China is illegally avoiding duties on solar panels sold to U.S. companies is putting the brakes on the nation's solar power build-out.

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'Succession' star James Cromwell glues his hand to a Starbucks counter in a protest

7:54am May 11, 2022

by The Associated Press

Actor and activist James Cromwell glued his hand to a midtown Manhattan Starbucks counter on Tuesday to protest the coffee chain's extra charge for plant-based milk.

In this photo supplied by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), a diver swims past coral on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Oct. 18, 2016.

Australia says most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached

1:10am May 11, 2022

by The Associated Press

Australian scientists confirm the mass bleaching, yet are hopeful the world's largest coral reef ecosystem can recover.

Climate

2 North Carolina beach houses collapse into Atlantic surf

4:46pm May 10, 2022

by Associated Press

Two beach houses have fallen into the waves along North Carolina's coast, U.S. National Park Service officials said in a statement Tuesday.

Electric cars have been slow to catch on in Wyoming. Some hope that will change

4:28pm May 10, 2022

by Taylar Stagner

The charging station network needed for electric cars will reach states like Wyoming last. It's sparsely populated and fighting to keep fossil fuels in America's energy mix.

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