News & Commentary

The Story of a Normal Car Factory: Abandoned by Gas Guzzlers, Soon to Be Buzzing With Electric Vehicles

November 13, 2019 DispatchIllinoisSusan Cosier

In Normal, Illinois, green startup Rivian plans to produce 100,000 delivery vans for Amazon, along with hundreds of jobs.

On California’s Fires, More Smoke and Mirrors From Trump

November 8, 2019 Latest NewsCaliforniaJeff Turrentine

While the state smoldered, the president lashed out at Governor Newsom—and completely ignored the role played by climate change.

Indiana Dunes Finally Gets Its Due, but Conservationists Are Clamoring for More

November 7, 2019 DispatchIndianaSusan Cosier

After a century of advocacy, the Hoosier State has a national park, and its immense popularity is making a case for more protected lakeshore.

Missoula, Montana, Proves That Tackling Car Culture Isn’t Just for Big-City Slickers

November 5, 2019 DispatchMontanaAlisa Opar

The streets are hardly choked with traffic, but this Northern Rockies locale sees plenty of other good reasons to get more of its commuters out from behind the wheel.

The Faces of Trump and Putin, Stenciled in Smog

November 1, 2019 PerspectivesUnited StatesSusan Cosier

From Chicago to Moscow, this artistic collaboration puts climate change on display—and world leaders on notice.

IEA: Renewable Energy Has Winning Potential

November 1, 2019 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

The International Energy Agency says solar is about to boom (some more) and offshore wind farms could power the whole world—18 times over! If we let them, that is.

Needing Water, Georgia Stirs Up a 200-Year-Old Dispute With Its Northern Neighbor

October 29, 2019 DispatchGeorgiaAustyn Gaffney

As droughts parch the Southeast, interstate squabbles heat up over the Tennessee River (and the Chattahoochee . . . and the Flint . . . and the Apalachicola).

The Fate of This Coral Species Rests in a Dark Room in Tampa

October 28, 2019 Latest NewsFloridaJason Bittel

Scientists have coaxed Atlantic pillar corals to spawn in captivity for the first time—a breakthrough that could save the species from extinction.

This Researcher Thinks It’s OK to Joke About Climate Change

October 25, 2019 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

In fact, he thinks laughing about it may help us put an end to it.

How Cincinnati Is Punching Above Its Weight in the Climate Fight

October 24, 2019 DispatchCincinnatiSarah Stankorb

For years this midsize city has been a leader in cutting carbon pollution. Now it’s raising its game with solar, energy efficiency, and electric cars.

These Environmental Artists Do the Mash—the Monster Mash

October 22, 2019 PerspectivesUnited StatesPatrick Rogers

Laura and Gary Dumm reanimate classic horror-flick monsters in bone-chilling scenes of the Anthropocene.

We Need a Just Transition—Because We Should Abandon Coal, Not Coal Workers

October 18, 2019 Latest NewsUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

Taking care of those communities distressed by the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy is an economic and ethical imperative.

America’s Dairyland May Have a PFAS Problem

October 11, 2019 DispatchMidwest, Wisconsin, MaineSusan Cosier

The toxic chemicals have been showing up in milk around the country, prompting midwestern farmers to take a closer look at their land.

Some of the Country’s Biggest Supporters of Climate Action? Latinos.

October 10, 2019 ExplainerUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

But since the larger climate movement has done a poor job of engaging them, the community is mobilizing itself.

The World’s Beauty and Destruction—Bound Together

October 8, 2019 PerspectivesUnited StatesPatrick Rogers

With thread, plastic, and reams of climate data, textile artist Tali Weinberg displays our dangerous entanglement with the fossil fuel industry.

What Can We Do to Fix the Drinking Water Problem in America?

October 7, 2019 ExplainerUnited States, Flint, Newark, Michigan, New Jersey

Seth Siegel, author of the new book “Troubled Water: What’s Wrong with What We Drink,” says we must change people’s mind-sets and get to the root of the issue to ensure safe drinking water for everyone.

New Mexico Has a Methane Cloud Visible by Satellite. It Also Has Bold Climate Plans.

October 2, 2019 DispatchNew MexicoTim Vanderpool

As greenhouse gasses fill the sky, a progressive governor and worried residents take on oil and gas—the state’s most powerful industry.

San Jose Ups Its Biking Game

September 30, 2019 DispatchSan Jose (California)Corey Binns

In this sprawling Bay Area city, more than half the carbon footprint comes from cars and trucks. So the city is focusing on growing its network of safe bike paths—and fast.

The Bomb Train Derailment That Sparked a Resistance in the Columbia River Gorge

September 30, 2019 DispatchOregon, CanadaLora Shinn

The fossil fuel industry maintains a strong presence in the Pacific Northwest thanks to its international export activity. But ever since a dangerous rail accident in 2016, local residents have served as a fierce check on its growth.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Climate—and Why It Needs Some Oomph

September 27, 2019 PerspectivesUnited StatesJeff Turrentine

The stories that really reach people are the ones with stirring scenes, suspense, and relatable characters.