Climate Change

As greenhouse gas emissions rise, so does the intensity and weirdness of our climate system. This is what you need to know.

Latest in Climate Change

Crab in ocean reaching with pincher.

Environment

As oceans become more acidic, creatures could struggle to smell As oceans become more acidic, creatures could struggle to smell

By Ethan Freedman/Hakai Magazine

Did plastic straw bans work? Yes, but not in the way you’d think.

Environment

Did plastic straw bans work? Yes, but not in the way you’d think. Did plastic straw bans work? Yes, but not in the way you’d think.

By Harvin Bhathal/Grist

Deer tick passing tick-borned diseases to a young person by biting back of the neck

Health

6 tick-borne diseases you really don’t want to get 6 tick-borne diseases you really don’t want to get

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Smoke rises as teams try to extinguish wildfires on Rhodes island, Greece on July 25, 2023. Some 19,000 people have been evacuated from the Greek island of Rhodes as wildfires continued burning for a sixth day, authorities said on Sunday. As many as 266 firefighters and 49 fire engines were on the ground battling the blazes, assisted by five helicopters and 10 airplanes.

Environment

July 2023 was likely the hottest month in 120,000 years July 2023 was likely the hottest month in 120,000 years

By Laura Baisas

A scanning electron picture of a female Panagrolaimus kolymaensis nematode.

Environment

Recently awoken 46,000-year-old nematodes already have 100 generations of babies Recently awoken 46,000-year-old nematodes already have 100 generations of babies

By Laura Baisas

electric vehicle at charger

Technology

7 automakers team up to cover the US and Canada with fast EV chargers 7 automakers team up to cover the US and Canada with fast EV chargers

By Sara Kiley Watson

Wind turbine with red base in the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel

Environment

An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health

Dead elkhorn coral at Sombrero Reef in the Florida Keys. The white areas are bleached coral, the brownish orange patches are "tissue slough", coral tissue that has died before it has a chance to bleach.

Environment

Mass coral reef bleaching in Florida as ocean temperatures hit 100 degrees Mass coral reef bleaching in Florida as ocean temperatures hit 100 degrees

By Laura Baisas

A billboard displays a temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit during a record heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona on July 18, 2023. Swaths of the United States home to more than 80 million people were under heat warnings or advisories, as relentless, record-breaking temperatures continued to bake western and southern states.

Environment

July’s extreme heat waves ‘virtually impossible’ without climate change July’s extreme heat waves ‘virtually impossible’ without climate change

By Laura Baisas

Streets of New York City.

Environment

How ‘underground climate change’ affects life on the Earth’s surface How ‘underground climate change’ affects life on the Earth’s surface

By Carla Delgado

Amazon package at fulfillment center.

Environment

Amazon might finally be cutting down on plastic waste Amazon might finally be cutting down on plastic waste

By Joseph Winters / Grist

first road constructed with plastic waste in Agartala

Environment

Turning plastic waste into streets faces roadblocks Turning plastic waste into streets faces roadblocks

By James Bruggers/Inside Climate News

Wind turbines on green hills

Environment

US climate efforts look promising, but there’s more to do US climate efforts look promising, but there’s more to do

By Sara Kiley Watson

The sun sets over a large ice berg in Greenland, with a large chunk of fallen ice floating in the ocean. Greenland’s continental glacier covers about 80 percent of the 836,3000-square-mile land mass.

Environment

Greenland’s ice sheets aren’t as old—or as resilient—as scientists expected Greenland’s ice sheets aren’t as old—or as resilient—as scientists expected

By Laura Baisas

turmeric at spice market

Health

For decades, turmeric’s ultra-golden glow had a deadly secret For decades, turmeric’s ultra-golden glow had a deadly secret

By Wudan Yan/Undark

Arco del Tiempo (Arch of Time) mockup

Technology

This art installation will tell time and produce solar energy This art installation will tell time and produce solar energy

By Sara Kiley Watson

Study author shows off the compressed mycelium sheets she created for the project

Technology

This fungi-based substance might protect homes from ever-worsening wildfires This fungi-based substance might protect homes from ever-worsening wildfires

By Sara Kiley Watson

Environment

No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste No guts left behind: Iceland’s quest to repurpose fish waste

By Lela Nargi/Hakai Magazine

person holding latest fairphone

Environment

The most sustainable phone on the market is the one in your pocket The most sustainable phone on the market is the one in your pocket

By Carla Delgado

Fervo Energy Project Red geothermal mining site in Nevada

Technology

An American start-up claims it just set a geothermal energy record An American start-up claims it just set a geothermal energy record

Limousine and private jet on landing strip.

Technology

A cap on ‘luxury’ emissions could make a clean energy transition fairer A cap on ‘luxury’ emissions could make a clean energy transition fairer

A green sea turtle swims in the ocean.

Environment

Hungry green sea turtles have eaten in the same seagrass meadows for about 3,000 years Hungry green sea turtles have eaten in the same seagrass meadows for about 3,000 years

By Laura Baisas

A protester stands next to a digital display of an unofficial heat reading at Furnace Creek Visitor Center during a heat wave in Death Valley National Park in Death Valley, California, on July 16, 2023. The signs read “this is the climate emergency,” and “happy death day.”

Environment

Extreme heat warning extends to more than 100 million people in the US Extreme heat warning extends to more than 100 million people in the US

By Laura Baisas

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

Health

EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children EPA plan to eliminate lead in buildings could help half a million young children

By Kate Yoder/Grist

Ocean waves crashing.

Environment

How climate change is pushing oxygen out of the world’s oceans How climate change is pushing oxygen out of the world’s oceans

By Carla Delgado

An image of the northern Gulf of Mexico created from remote-sensing reflectance and chlorophyll measurements taken from newly reprocessed VIIRS data. Green water is seen closer to the coast, while it gets darker and more blue further out.

Environment

Scientists say the ocean is changing color—and it’s probably our fault Scientists say the ocean is changing color—and it’s probably our fault

By Laura Baisas

Heavy rain sends mud and debris down the Ottauquechee River in Quechee, Vermont on July 10, 2023.

Environment

Dangerous inland flooding will last for days in some Northeast states Dangerous inland flooding will last for days in some Northeast states

By Laura Baisas

Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Carlsbad, CA

Environment

How energy from waves might simplify desalination How energy from waves might simplify desalination

By Becki Robins/Hakai Magazine

The giant Douglas firs in British Columbia forests are examples of so-called mother trees

Environment

Are ‘mother trees’ real? Are ‘mother trees’ real?

AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked

Technology

AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked AI’s climate consequences are often overlooked

By Akielly Hu/Grist

Charles Chee Surya holding perovskite/silicon solar cell.

Environment

Solar panels are getting more efficient, thanks to perovskite Solar panels are getting more efficient, thanks to perovskite

By Sara Kiley Watson

Beach-goers seeking relief from the heat at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach California, on July 1, 2023.

Environment

July 3 may have marked the hottest day ever recorded July 3 may have marked the hottest day ever recorded

By Laura Baisas

Fast fashion might be making us sick

Environment

Fast fashion might be making us sick Fast fashion might be making us sick

By Danielle Renwick / Nexus Media News

Fourth of July partygoers playing in red, white, and blue confetti, which could be a fireworks alternative

Environment

Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons Celebrate a firework-less Fourth of July with drones, bubble guns, or confetti cannons

By Carla Delgado

Young climate defenders bring hope in an unprecedented US lawsuit

Environment

Young climate defenders bring hope in an unprecedented US lawsuit Young climate defenders bring hope in an unprecedented US lawsuit

By Richard Forbes/High Country News

Marine microplastics chemicals may make microbes more resistant

Environment

Marine microplastics chemicals may make microbes more resistant Marine microplastics chemicals may make microbes more resistant

By Michael Allen / Hakai Magazine

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

Environment

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining? How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

By Carla Delgado

Coastal flooding predictions triple

Environment

Coastal flooding predictions triple Coastal flooding predictions triple

By J. Besl/Hakai Magazine

Supreme Court rules the US is not required to ensure access to water for the Navajo Nation

Environment

Supreme Court rules the US is not required to ensure access to water for the Navajo Nation Supreme Court rules the US is not required to ensure access to water for the Navajo Nation

By Robert Glennon/The Conversation

Extreme heat to blanket Texas with ‘no end in sight’

Environment

Extreme heat to blanket Texas with ‘no end in sight’ Extreme heat to blanket Texas with ‘no end in sight’

By Sara Kiley Watson

The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 has an MPGe of 140.

Technology

What an electric vehicle’s MPGe rating really means What an electric vehicle’s MPGe rating really means

Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls

Technology

Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls Why scientists want to banish barnacles from ship hulls

By Chris Baraniuk / Hakai Magazine

A summer sunrise over a grassy meadow.

Environment

‘Unprecedented’ ocean temperatures and extreme heat waves pop up around the globe ‘Unprecedented’ ocean temperatures and extreme heat waves pop up around the globe

By Laura Baisas

Line of rocks letting water leak through to represent a different approach to water management during drought

Environment

‘Slow water’ could transform the Southwest, one little rock wall at a time ‘Slow water’ could transform the Southwest, one little rock wall at a time

Deer and other animals in wildfire smoke during California Dixie fire in 2021

Environment

Clouds of wildfire smoke are toxic to humans and animals alike Clouds of wildfire smoke are toxic to humans and animals alike

By Carla Delgado

Young longleaf pines growing healthily in a burnt landscape

Environment

Longleaf pine forests in Alabama are making a comeback—thanks to fire Longleaf pine forests in Alabama are making a comeback—thanks to fire

By Jamie Dickman

Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico

Environment

Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico

By Katherine Rapin/Nexus Media

The planet has 8 measures of stability—and we’re pushing past most of them

Environment

The planet has 8 measures of stability—and we’re pushing past most of them The planet has 8 measures of stability—and we’re pushing past most of them

By Carla Delgado

People wearing masks for wildfire smoke and bad air quality in front of White House

Health

How to mask up to protect yourself from wildfire smoke How to mask up to protect yourself from wildfire smoke

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

air purifiers composited

Gear

These air purifiers are actually on sale right now at Amazon and Best Buy These air purifiers are actually on sale right now at Amazon and Best Buy

By Stan Horaczek

Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid

Environment

Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid

By Cadence Bambenek / Hothouse

Rear side of sweating robot

Technology

This very sweaty robot measures how heat affects humans This very sweaty robot measures how heat affects humans

Mountains and a pine forest covered in wildfire smoke.

DIY

What to do when wildfire smoke fills the air What to do when wildfire smoke fills the air

By Natalie Wallington

A popular ‘compostable’ bioplastic isn’t as biodegradable as it seems

Environment

A popular ‘compostable’ bioplastic isn’t as biodegradable as it seems A popular ‘compostable’ bioplastic isn’t as biodegradable as it seems

By Carla Delgado

The Downtown Manhattan skyline stands shrouded in a reddish haze as a result of Canadian wildfires on June 6, 2023 in New York City. Over 100 wildfires are burning in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and Quebec resulting in air quality health alerts for the Adirondacks, Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York, and Western New York.

Environment

Wildfire smoke is choking the eastern United States Wildfire smoke is choking the eastern United States

By Laura Baisas

Factory emitting pollution at sunset

Environment

675 million people still didn’t have access to electricity in 2021 675 million people still didn’t have access to electricity in 2021

Computer illustration of ISS with docket spacecraft

Technology

The ISS’s latest delivery includes space plants and atmospheric lightning monitors The ISS’s latest delivery includes space plants and atmospheric lightning monitors

These species were discovered in museum collections. They might already be extinct.

Science

These species were discovered in museum collections. They might already be extinct. These species were discovered in museum collections. They might already be extinct.

By Katarina Zimmer / Undark

It will cost up to $21.5 billion to clean up California’s oil sites. The industry won’t make enough money to pay for it.

Environment

It will cost up to $21.5 billion to clean up California’s oil sites. The industry won’t make enough money to pay for it. It will cost up to $21.5 billion to clean up California’s oil sites. The industry won’t make enough money to pay for it.

By Mark Olalde/ProPublica

Colorado River low water levels after drought and evaporation in Lake Powell, Utah, seen from above

Environment

Every drop of the Colorado River counts. So what about evaporation? Every drop of the Colorado River counts. So what about evaporation?

1 in 5 people are likely to live in dangerously hot climates by 2100

Environment

1 in 5 people are likely to live in dangerously hot climates by 2100 1 in 5 people are likely to live in dangerously hot climates by 2100

By Kristoffer Tigue/Inside Climate News

Recycling bins with symbol

Environment

Why the recycling symbol is part of a ‘misinformation campaign’ Why the recycling symbol is part of a ‘misinformation campaign’

By Carla Delgado

Scientists and Indigenous people team up to build a kelp seed bank

Environment

Scientists and Indigenous people team up to build a kelp seed bank Scientists and Indigenous people team up to build a kelp seed bank

By Natalia Mesa/Hakai Magazine

Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas

Environment

Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas Plant-covered roofs could help chill Brazil’s heat-stricken favelas

By Jill Langlois/Undark