Natural Disasters
More Frequent, Severe Climate-Fueled Disasters Exacerbate Humanitarian Crises
People have little time to recover when extreme events happen back-to-back, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warns
Stories by Nathanial Gronewold
Climate Change
Climate Change and COVID Threaten to Sink Small Island Nations
With international tourism virtually non-existent, countries are missing out on income to help fund climate adaptation
Conservation
Australia Floats Plan to Better Protect Great Barrier Reef
The proposal aims to control water pollution and coastal development that can damage the diverse ecosystem
Energy
To Boost Renewable Energy, Australia Looks to Water and Gravity
Pumped storage hydropower could store intermittent energy from wind and solar power to de-carbonize the nation’s electricity supply
Climate Change
E.U.’s Coronavirus Recovery Plan Also Aims to Fight Climate Change
The proposed package would boost clean energy and transport to help the continent become carbon neutral by 2050
Environment
To Track Massive Locust Swarms, Officials Use Tool that Forecasts Smoke Plumes
The pests that have been laying waste to crops across Africa follow the winds, just like smoke
Natural Disasters
Smoke from Australia’s Bushfires Killed Hundreds
Exposure to particulate matter led to heart and lung problems for thousands
Public Health
U.N. Shifts from Climate Change to Coronavirus
Secretary-General António Guterres still urged countries not to lose sight of the global warming challenge
Public Health
Coronavirus Spurs Mass Cancellation of Climate Meetings
The outbreak could also complicate the rollout of an airline emissions trading program
Environment
Desert Locust Swarms Continue to Spread in Africa, Middle East
The infestation is the worst U.N. officials say they have seen in 25 years, despite chemical spraying to combat the insects
Public Health
“Unprecedented” Locust Invasion Approaches Full-Blown Crisis
The spreading swarms, triggered by cyclone rains, threaten crops in East Africa
Energy
This Material Could Squeeze More Energy from Solar Panels
Perovskite may be more efficient, and cheaper, than traditional silicon, but durability remains an issue
Climate Change
To Adapt to Climate Change, Vulnerable Areas Need Better Forecasts
Failures to predict drought and other weather extremes put people in African and small island nations at particular risk
EARTH
CO2 Emissions Will Break Another Record in 2019
The recent increase in emissions from fossil fuel burning did slow down, but huge cuts are needed to avoid dangerous warming
EARTH
Carbon Emissions Show No Signs of Peaking
Without deep, fast cuts to greenhouse gases, global temperatures will shatter a 2-degree Celsius threshold a dire new U.N. report says
Climate Change
Planned Fossil Fuel Extraction Would Blow Past Warming Limits
As governments discuss how to keep warming below 2 degree Celsius, they continue to plan for coal, oil and natural gas production
Policy
European Investment Bank Will Stop Lending to Fossil Fuel Projects
Money will be redirected to clean energy innovation, efficiency and renewables
Automobiles
Momentum Builds for Hydrogen Fuel in Japan, Australia
Lowered costs and the availability of renewable energy to produce hydrogen are raising interest in the fuel source
Climate Change
Olympic Marathon Moved out of Tokyo over Heat Concerns
Longer and hotter summer heat waves in the city pushed organizers to move the race to a cooler region of Japan
Energy
World’s Largest Nuclear Fusion Experiment Clears Milestone
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor is set to launch operations in 2025
