Environment

Senate Pressed BLM Nominee On Biden's Oil And Gas Lease Freeze

5:05pm June 08, 2021

by Kirk Siegler

President Biden's nominee to be the country's next public lands chief appeared before a U.S. Senate panel Tuesday where she was grilled over Biden's controversial freeze on new oil and gas leasing.

Shalanda Baker listens during a confirmation hearing Tuesday to be Director of the Office of Minority Economic Impact for the Department of Energy.

'Energy Justice' Nominee Brings Activist Voice To Biden's Climate Plans

11:50am June 08, 2021

by Jeff Brady

Shalanda Baker sees energy policy as the next domain for advancing civil rights. She says too many communities of color have experienced the harm - but not the benefits - of energy development.

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This 2019 photo provided by NOAA shows the Mauna Loa Atmospheric Baseline Observatory in Hawaii. Measurements taken at the station in May 2021 revealed the highest monthly average of atmospheric carbon dioxide in human history.

Environment

Carbon Dioxide, Which Drives Climate Change, Reaches Highest Level In 4 Million Years

9:55pm June 07, 2021

by Eric McDaniel

The amount of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere reached 419 parts per million in May, its highest level in more than four million years, according to NOAA. Fossil fuel use is driving the increase.

Blueberries In Danger: Temperatures In Maine Spike To Scorching 90s

4:34pm June 07, 2021

by Fred Bever

Temperatures are reaching into the 90s in Maine as the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern U.S bakes in unseasonably hot weather.

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A man walks past sacks containing debris washed ashore from the X-Press Pearl on a beach in Colombo on Thursday. The plastic pellets will break down and be more difficult to clean up over time, marine biologist Asha de Vos says.

The Ship Sinking Off Sri Lanka Looks Like A Lasting Environmental Disaster

4:47pm June 05, 2021

Waves of plastic pellets are washing up on beaches in Sri Lanka. Marine biologist Asha de Vos says the microplastics are spreading in the water and scientists don't yet understand the full effects.

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Sri Lankan Marine Biologist Explains The Environmental Repercussions Of Burning Barge

4:17pm June 04, 2021

A ship off the Sri Lankan coast has been burning, leaking acid and plastic pellets. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Sri Lankan marine biologist Asha de Vos on the environmental impact of this disaster.

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A Single California Fire Killed 10% Of The World's Giant Sequoia Trees

4:17pm June 04, 2021

At least 10% of the world's giant sequoia trees were destroyed in one California wildfire in the Sierra Nevada last year.

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Right Whales Are Shrinking In Numbers— New Study Shows They're Also Shrinking In Size

4:25pm June 03, 2021

by Eve Zuckoff

North Atlantic right whales now grow about three feet shorter than they did 40 years ago. Research suggests a leading cause is the damage human activity inflicts on the critically endangered mammals.

Scientists from NOAA Fisheries Service approach a young North Atlantic right whale in order to disentangle it. New research shows whales with severe entanglements in rope and fishing gear are experiencing stunted growth, and body lengths have been decreas

Endangered Right Whales Are Shrinking. Scientists Blame Commercial Fishing Gear

12:17pm June 03, 2021

by Eve Zuckoff

A new study concludes that endangered right whales born today will end up smaller than adult whales in the past. Researchers say stress from getting caught in fishing gear stunts the mammals' growth

Environment

Environmental Disaster Fears Grow As Chemical-Laden Ship Starts Sinking

6:38am June 03, 2021

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to journalist Omar Rajarathnam about the cargo ship sinking off the coast of Sri Lanka, sparking fears of an environmental disaster.

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