Environment

Environment

Death Toll Climbs In Pacific Northwest Due To Heat Wave

8:08am July 02, 2021

by Monica Samayoa

Oregon public health officials say more than 60 people have died in the state due to extreme heat this week. Residents are now asking what more could have been done to prevent the deaths.

The remains of a burned home from the Bobcat Fire in Juniper Hills, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2020.

FEMA Rejected 95% Of Aid Applicants During California's Last Wildfire Disaster. Why?

5:00am July 02, 2021

California's 2020 wildfires set a record: the most acres burned in a year. But another record was set: The second half of the wildfire season had the lowest FEMA wildfire-aid approval rate.

Experts Recommend Leaving The Fireworks Unlit This 4th Of July

4:24pm July 01, 2021

by Sam Brasch

Many National Forests are closed to recreation due to fire danger and fire experts are urging the public to be careful with fireworks over the July 4th weekend as drought grips much of the country.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., speaks during a news conference in May. He believes FEMA has "swung way too far in the other direction" after people who were not eligible received assistance following Hurricane Katrina.

As Western Wildfires Worsen, FEMA Is Denying Most People Who Ask For Help

4:05pm July 01, 2021

An investigation into FEMA claims after 2020's historic wildfires in Oregon and California reveals wide fluctuations in approval rates and denials of people who met aid criteria.

Exxon Mobil has apologized after one of its lobbyists talked about undermining climate action in an undercover video.

Exxon Lobbyist Caught On Video Talking About Undermining Biden's Climate Push

3:03pm July 01, 2021

by Jeff Brady

Exxon Mobil has condemned the comments of one of its lobbyists who was secretly recorded by undercover climate activists. He discussed urging lawmakers to weaken President Biden's infrastructure bill.

The British Columbia Wildfire Service is responding to multiple fires in the province this week. Two wildfires pictured here, the Long Loch wildfire and the Derickson Lake wildfire, are in close proximity and estimated to be 740 acres combined in size.

The Deadly Heat Wave Is Triggering Dozens Of Wildfires In Western Canada

12:28pm July 01, 2021

by Jaclyn Diaz

The town of Lytton, British Columbia, caught fire and was completely evacuated Wednesday, just one day after setting a new all-time Canadian heat record with a high of 121 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hundreds of young climate activists rally outside of the White House Monday to demand that President Biden fulfill promises on addressing climate change after a bipartisan infrastructure deal left many priorities aside.

The White House Is Seeking To Soothe Worries That It's Pushing Climate Plans Aside

8:59am July 01, 2021

by Scott Detrow

Environmental advocates are worried that many climate change proposals got pushed out of a bipartisan infrastructure deal. But the White House insists they'll be in another big spending measure.

Portland's Top Health Official On Preparing For Extreme Weather As The 'New Normal'

6:42pm June 30, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Portland's lead health official, Jennifer Vines, about the extreme heat's impact on the Pacific Northwest.

Biden Wants To Take On Heat-Buckled Roads In His Infrastructure Update

4:44pm June 30, 2021

by Nathan Rott

Buckling roads in the Pacific Northwest are just one example of how climate extremes can damage all kinds of infrastructure. President Biden wants to make it more resilient to heat, floods and storms.

Why Progressive Climate Activists Are Frustrated With The Biden Administration

6:14am June 30, 2021

by Scott Detrow

Climate activists are worried President Biden's bipartisan infrastructure deal won't do enough to protect the planet. He is selling the deal without major climate goals.