Environment

Environment

How Did China Become The World's Dominant Polysilicon Producer?

6:26am July 06, 2021

by Emily Feng

China is a leader in the manufacture of polysilicon — the basic material that goes into making solar panels. China has cracked the code for how to make high quality, cheap polysilicon.

Northern California Is Working To Conserve Water To Have Some Left Over For Crops

7:42pm July 05, 2021

by Ezra David Romero

Drought-stricken reservoirs and rivers in Northern California mean painful water cutbacks for farmers and towns. Some are trying hard to conserve to avoid even worse to come.

Wildfire burns above the Fraser River Valley near Lytton, British Columbia, Canada, on Friday.

Environment

Canada Battles More Than 180 Wildfires With Hundreds Dead In Heat Wave

8:02pm July 04, 2021

by Jeannette Muhammad

About 90% of the village of Lytton was destroyed by fire. It comes while hundreds have died in a massive heat wave that's affecting British Columbia and the western U.S.

Environment

Climate Change And Heat Waves Have Brutal Effect On U.S. Cities' Infrastructure

7:58am July 04, 2021

After a brutal heatwave in the Pacific Northwest, NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Vivek Shandas of Portland State University about the impact climate change is having on cities.

Life Kit: How To Beat The Heat

5:20pm July 03, 2021

Amid a record heatwave in parts of the country, NPR's Life Kit brings us so tips to stay safe and cool during this extreme heat.

Environment

State Sen. Melissa Hurtado On Central California's Heat Wave And Water Shortages

3:13pm July 03, 2021

NPR's Leila Fadel speaks with state Sen. Melissa Hurtado of the California Legislature about her district's struggle with widespread drought and water shortages.

Veterinarian Belinda Burwell began receiving reports of sick songbirds in Virginia last month. This male blue jay was completely blind and was hopping in circles because of dizziness. He had to be euthanized.

A Mystery Illness Is Killing Mid-Atlantic Songbirds

5:20pm July 02, 2021

by Jeff Brady

Wildlife officials are asking people not to feed birds or provide bird baths amid dozens of reports of mysterious songbird deaths.

Mindy Perkovich has been a farmer for about 12 years in Southwest Colorado's Mancos Valley.

The Devastating Drought Across The West Could Mean An Increase In Farmer Suicides

4:31pm July 02, 2021

by Lucas Brady Woods

A Colorado analysis found farmer suicide rates rise in tandem with increased drought. Experts say a big challenge is that there are few counsellors and many guns in rural areas.

Environment

Biden Vows To Boost Firefighter Pay Amid Staffing Shortages And Low Morale

11:19am July 02, 2021

by Joe Wertz

President Biden is pledging to boost firefighter pay to address a staffing shortage. Federal firefighters face low wages and poor benefits even as climate change makes their job more demanding.

Environment

Boy Scouts Of America Reaches $850 Million Settlement With Sexual Abuse Survivors

11:10am July 02, 2021

by Joe Wertz

The organization settled with all the major groups of survivors seeking compensation through the youth group's bankruptcy proceedings. Noel King talks with Wall Street Journal reporter Andrew Scurria.