Latest News
Wildfires prompt state of emergency declarations in Northern California. -
About a dozen active fires are blazing through the drought-stricken state. The Valley Fire alone rapidly grew out of control after igniting Saturday, burning through at least 50,000 acres, killing one person, and forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. USA Today
Scientists are predicting Hawaii's worst-ever coral bleaching event. -
Abnormally warm ocean temperatures are causing stressed coral around the islands to expel the algae they depend on for food. And bouncing back from this bleaching event may be difficult (the reefs are still recovering from last year's whiteout). The Guardian
All the effort and all the genius poured into humanity's bold exploration of the solar system have found their deepest expression in the science of climate.
—Adam Frank, astrophysicist and writer, makes the case that climate science is on par with humanity's greatest achievements—like putting a man on the moon and discovering DNA.
Duke Energy agrees to pony up $5.4 million for power plant pollution. -
The EPA says the country's largest utility violated the Clean Air Act (you may remember the company also paid big bucks for Clean Water Act violations back in May). After a 15-year court battle, Duke settled on a $975,000 fine and spending $4.4 million for environmental programs in North Carolina. New York Times
A new initiative aims to keep sea life out of abandoned fishing nets. -
Old fishing gear makes up an estimated 10 percent (!) of all ocean litter and is a death trap for many a marine animal that gets entangled. That's why the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, launched Friday, is looking to get local ports, government, and industry to recycle fishing lines and nets. The Guardian
Appeals court overturns EPA's approval of insecticide. -
In 2013, the agency approved the use of Dow Chemical's sulfoxaflor on a wide range of crops despite initial findings that it was toxic to honeybees. Beekeeping groups took to the courts, arguing that the decision could make the pollinator's decline go from bad to worse. Yesterday, the court agreed. Los Angeles Times