Today: September 20, 2024
Today: September 20, 2024

Environment

Environment

The nuclear arms race's legacy at home: Toxic contamination, staggering cleanup costs and a culture of government secrecy

Packaging excavated radioactive materials at the Hanford site in Washington state. USDOE Christopher Nolan’s film “Oppenheimer” has focused new attention on the legacies of the Manhattan Project – the World War II program to develop nuclear weapons. As the anniversaries of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9, 1945, approach, it’s a timely moment to look further at dilemmas wrought by the creation of the atomic bomb. The Manhattan Project spawned a trinity of interconnected legacies. It initiated a global arms race that threatens the survival of humanity and the planet as we know it.

August 01, 2023
The nuclear arms race's legacy at home: Toxic contamination, staggering cleanup costs and a culture of government secrecy
Environment

Ever-larger cars and trucks are causing a safety crisis on US streets – here's how communities can fight back

Retractable bollards can be used to signal priority areas on streets for smaller vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Eugene Nekrasov/Getty images Plus Deadly traffic incidents have declined in most developed countries in recent years. But in the U.S. they’re becoming more common. Deaths in motor vehicle crashes rose more than 33% from 2011 to 2021. Since 2010, pedestrian deaths nationwide have climbed a shocking 77%, compared with a 25% increase in all other types of traffic fatalities. Light trucks injure pedestrians more severely than passenger cars in crashes, and the size of cars and trucks sold in the U.S. continues to

August 02, 2023
Ever-larger cars and trucks are causing a safety crisis on US streets – here's how communities can fight back
Environment

Computer science can help farmers explore alternative crops and sustainable farming methods

Chick peas intercropped with flax on a farm in Stanford, Mont. USDA NRCS Montana Humans have physically reconfigured half of the world’s land to grow just eight staple crops: maize (corn), soy, wheat, rice, cassava, sorghum, sweet potato and potato. They account for the vast majority of calories that people around the world consume. As global population rises, there’s pressure to expand production even further. Many experts argue that further expanding modern industrialized agriculture – which relies heavily on synthetic fertilizer, chemical pesticides and high-yield seeds – isn’t the right way to feed a growing world population. In their view,

August 07, 2023
Computer science can help farmers explore alternative crops and sustainable farming methods
Environment

Yellow jerseys of the fireline: A day fighting wildfires can require as much endurance as riding the Tour de France

Ruby Mountain hotshots construct a fire line during the Dixie Fire in 2021. Joe Bradshaw/BLM For three weeks in July, the world’s most elite bike racers climb steep mountains and sprint along historic cobblestones to capture the coveted yellow jersey or the race leader in the Tour de France. It’s a 22-day feat of human endurance that requires constant eating and drinking to manage the average daily energy demand of about 6,000 calories, equivalent to around 12 McDonald’s Happy Meals, and just over 1.5 gallons of water. Nearly 5,000 miles away in the mountains of North America, radios crackle with

August 08, 2023
Yellow jerseys of the fireline: A day fighting wildfires can require as much endurance as riding the Tour de France
Environment

AI can help forecast air quality, but freak events like 2023's summer of wildfire smoke require traditional methods too

Thick smoke rolling in from Canada’s 2023 wildfires was a wakeup call for several cities. Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images Wildfire smoke from Canada’s extreme fire season has left a lot of people thinking about air quality and wondering what to expect in the days ahead. All air contains gaseous compounds and small particles. But as air quality gets worse, these gases and particles can trigger asthma and exacerbate heart and respiratory problems as they enter the nose, throat and lungs and even circulate in the bloodstream. When wildfire smoke turned New York City’s skies orange in early June 2023, emergency

August 09, 2023
AI can help forecast air quality, but freak events like 2023's summer of wildfire smoke require traditional methods too
Environment

The heroic effort to save Florida’s coral reef from devastating ocean heat

Elkhorn coral fragments rescued from overheating ocean nurseries sit in cooler water at Keys Marine Laboratory. NOAA Armed with scrub brushes, young scuba divers took to the waters of Florida’s Alligator Reef in late July to try to help corals struggling to survive 2023’s extraordinary marine heat wave. They carefully scraped away harmful algae and predators impinging on staghorn fragments, under the supervision and training of interns from Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education, or I.CARE. Normally, I.CARE’s volunteer divers would be transplanting corals to waters off the Florida Keys this time of year, as part of a national effort to

August 09, 2023
The heroic effort to save Florida’s coral reef from devastating ocean heat
Environment

A heroic effort to save Florida’s coral reef from extreme ocean heat is underway as corals bleach across the Caribbean

Elkhorn coral fragments rescued from overheating ocean nurseries sit in cooler water at Keys Marine Laboratory. NOAA Armed with scrub brushes, young scuba divers took to the waters of Florida’s Alligator Reef in late July to try to help corals struggling to survive 2023’s extraordinary marine heat wave. They carefully scraped away harmful algae and predators impinging on staghorn fragments, under the supervision and training of interns from Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education, or I.CARE. Normally, I.CARE’s volunteer divers would be transplanting corals to waters off the Florida Keys this time of year, as part of a national effort to

August 09, 2023
A heroic effort to save Florida’s coral reef from extreme ocean heat is underway as corals bleach across the Caribbean
Environment

The heroic effort to save Florida’s coral reef from extreme ocean heat as corals bleach across the Caribbean

Elkhorn coral fragments rescued from overheating ocean nurseries sit in cooler water at Keys Marine Laboratory. NOAA Armed with scrub brushes, young scuba divers took to the waters of Florida’s Alligator Reef in late July to try to help corals struggling to survive 2023’s extraordinary marine heat wave. They carefully scraped away harmful algae and predators impinging on staghorn fragments, under the supervision and training of interns from Islamorada Conservation and Restoration Education, or I.CARE. Normally, I.CARE’s volunteer divers would be transplanting corals to waters off the Florida Keys this time of year, as part of a national effort to

August 09, 2023
The heroic effort to save Florida’s coral reef from extreme ocean heat as corals bleach across the Caribbean
Environment

Maui wildfires burn through Lahaina – it's a reminder of the growing risk to communities that once seemed safe

Fires burn in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 8, 2023. Zeke Kalua/County of Maui via AP Thousands of people were evacuated along Maui’s popular west coast as wildfires spread through buildings and hillsides starting Aug. 8, 2023, powered by strong winds from an offshore hurricane. Much of Lahaina, a tourist town of over 13,000 residents, was in flames. Most fires in the U.S. are suppressed before they have a chance to threaten communities, but the winds from Hurricane Dora were too strong to send helicopters to help contain the blazes on the first day, leaving firefighters to battle the fires from

August 09, 2023
Maui wildfires burn through Lahaina – it's a reminder of the growing risk to communities that once seemed safe
Environment

Deadly wildfires burn across Maui – it's a reminder of the growing risk to communities that once seemed safe

Fires burn in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 8, 2023. Zeke Kalua/County of Maui via AP Thousands of people were evacuated along Maui’s popular west coast as wildfires spread through buildings and hillsides starting Aug. 8, 2023, powered by strong winds from an offshore hurricane. Large parts of Lahaina, a tourist town of over 13,000 residents that was once the royal capital, burned, and at least six people died, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen told reporters. Most fires in the U.S. are suppressed before they have a chance to threaten communities, but the winds were too strong to send helicopters to help

August 09, 2023
Deadly wildfires burn across Maui – it's a reminder of the growing risk to communities that once seemed safe
Environment

Maui's deadly wildfires burn through Lahaina – it's a reminder of the growing risk to communities that once seemed safe

Fires burn in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 8, 2023. Zeke Kalua/County of Maui via AP Wildfires, pushed by powerful winds, raced through Lahaina, Hawaii, on Aug. 8 and 9, 2023, leaving a charred and smoldering landscape across the tourist town of about 13,000 residents that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii. At least 36 people died, Maui County officials said. Others were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard after going into the ocean to escape the flames. Fires were still burning on Aug. 10, both in Maui’s tourist-filled west coast and farther inland, as well as on

August 09, 2023
Maui's deadly wildfires burn through Lahaina – it's a reminder of the growing risk to communities that once seemed safe
Environment|WrittenByLAPost

A Sea Otter's Epic Surfboard Heist

Sea otters, known for their cute appearance and playful antics, have gained national attention for their unusual behavior. Otter 841, a 5-year-old female in Santa Cruz, California, steals surfboards and attacks kayakers, raising public safety concerns. Wildlife officials are working to rehome and capture her, with implications for sea otter conservation. Otter 841, commonly known by her nickname Laverna, has quickly gained the attention of locals and the online community alike due to her audacious surfboard thefts and encounters with water sports enthusiasts. Memes, petitions and merchandise supporting this ungovernable otter have sprouted in support of this charismatic creature; yet

August 10, 2023
A Sea Otter's Epic Surfboard Heist
Environment

Maui wildfires: Extra logistical challenges hinder government's initial response when disasters strike islands

A wildfire burns in Kihei, Hawaii, on Aug. 9, 2023. AP Photo/Ty O’Neil Wildfires destroyed the Hawaiian tourist town of Lahaina on Aug. 8 and 9, 2023, leaving many of its roughly 13,000 residents homeless and causing at least 36 deaths, local officials said. Fires also burned in other areas on Maui, Hawaii’s second-largest island, and its Big Island. President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration on Aug. 10 that authorizes federal aid to communities in harm’s way. The Conversation asked Ivis García, an urban planner who has researched disaster recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, to explain how the U.S.

August 10, 2023
Maui wildfires: Extra logistical challenges hinder government's initial response when disasters strike islands
Environment

Wildfires are a severe blow to Maui's tourism-based economy, but other iconic destinations have come back from similar disasters

Destroyed homes and buildings in Lahaina on Aug. 10, 2023, in the aftermath of wildfires on western Maui, Hawaii. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images Major wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui have killed dozens of people and caused heavy damage, particularly in the historic town of Lahaina, as of Aug. 10, 2023. The state has asked all visitors to leave Maui and those planning to travel there to reschedule their trips – a harsh blow to a destination whose economy relies heavily on tourism. University of South Carolina research professor Rich Harrill, an expert on hospitality

August 11, 2023
Wildfires are a severe blow to Maui's tourism-based economy, but other iconic destinations have come back from similar disasters
Environment

After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings

Fire sites like Lahaina, where residents were allowed in on Aug. 11, 2023, are filled with hazards, both obvious and unseen. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer People returning to what remains of the beachside town of Lahaina, Hawaii, and other Maui communities after one of the nation’s deadliest wildfire disasters face more dangers, beyond the 1,700 buildings and dozens of lives already lost. The fires also left lingering health risks for humans and wildlife. When fires spread through communities, as we’ve seen more often in recent years, they burn structures that contain treated wood, plastics, paints and hazardous household wastes. They burn

August 12, 2023
After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings
Environment

Montana kids win historic climate lawsuit – here's why it could set a powerful precedent

The young plaintiffs in Held v. State of Montana, ages 5 to 22, walk to the courthouse with their lawyer. William Campbell/Getty Images Sixteen young Montanans who sued their state over climate change emerged victorious on Aug. 14, 2023, as a judge ruled in a first-of-its-kind climate trial. The case, Held v. State of Montana, was based on allegations that state energy policies violate the young plaintiffs’ constitutional right to “a clean and healthful environment” – a right that has been enshrined in the Montana Constitution since the 1970s. The plaintiffs claimed that state laws promoting fossil fuel extraction and

August 15, 2023
Montana kids win historic climate lawsuit – here's why it could set a powerful precedent
Environment

Hawaii's climate future: dry regions get drier with global warming, increasing fire risk − while wet areas get wetter

Hawaii has very dry landscapes, such as parts of the west coast of Oahu. Maria Ermolova/iStock/Getty Images Plus The islands of Hawaii are world renowned for their generally pleasant and tranquil weather. However, the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire tragedy on Maui was a stark reminder that Hawaii also can experience drought and hot, dry, windy weather, providing the conditions for destructive fires. Hawaii has seen a generally rising trend in the amount of land that burns each year as the local climate warms. Climate change was one of several contributors to Maui’s wildfire catastrophe, and rising temperatures and associated rainfall

August 16, 2023
Hawaii's climate future: dry regions get drier with global warming, increasing fire risk − while wet areas get wetter
Environment

Hawaii's climate future: dry regions get drier with global warming, increasing fire risk − while wet areas get wetter

Hawaii has very dry landscapes, such as parts of the west coast of Oahu. Maria Ermolova/iStock/Getty Images Plus The islands of Hawaii are world renowned for their generally pleasant and tranquil weather. However, the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire tragedy on Maui was a stark reminder that Hawaii also can experience drought and hot, dry, windy weather, providing the conditions for destructive fires. Hawaii has seen a generally rising trend in the amount of land that burns each year as the local climate warms. Climate change was one of several contributors to Maui’s wildfire catastrophe, and rising temperatures and associated rainfall

August 16, 2023
Hawaii's climate future: dry regions get drier with global warming, increasing fire risk − while wet areas get wetter
Environment

Hawaii's climate future: Dry regions get drier with global warming, increasing fire risk

Hawaii has very dry landscapes, such as parts of the west coast of Oahu. Maria Ermolova/iStock/Getty Images Plus The islands of Hawaii are world renowned for their generally pleasant and tranquil weather. However, the Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire tragedy on Maui was a stark reminder that Hawaii also can experience drought and hot, dry, windy weather, providing the conditions for destructive fires. Hawaii has seen a generally rising trend in the amount of land that burns each year as the local climate warms. Climate change was one of several contributors to Maui’s wildfire catastrophe, and rising temperatures and associated rainfall

August 16, 2023
Hawaii's climate future: Dry regions get drier with global warming, increasing fire risk
Environment

Michigan pipeline standoff could affect water protection and Indigenous rights across the US

A ferry arrives at Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan’s largest tourist draw. AP Photo/Anick Jesdanun Should states and Indigenous nations be able to influence energy projects they view as harmful or contrary to their laws and values? This question lies at the center of a heated debate over Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline, which carries oil and natural gas across Wisconsin and Michigan. Courts, regulatory agencies and political leaders are deciding whether Enbridge should be allowed to keep its pipeline in place for another 99 years, with upgrades. The state of Michigan and the Bad River Tribe

August 16, 2023
Michigan pipeline standoff could affect water protection and Indigenous rights across the US
Environment

Michigan pipeline standoff could affect water protection and Indigenous rights across the US

A ferry arrives at Mackinac Island in the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan’s largest tourist draw. AP Photo/Anick Jesdanun Should states and Indigenous nations be able to influence energy projects they view as harmful or contrary to their laws and values? This question lies at the center of a heated debate over Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 pipeline, which carries oil and natural gas across Wisconsin and Michigan. Courts, regulatory agencies and political leaders are deciding whether Enbridge should be allowed to keep its pipeline in place for another 99 years, with upgrades. The state of Michigan and the Bad River Tribe

August 16, 2023
Michigan pipeline standoff could affect water protection and Indigenous rights across the US
Environment

A carbon tax on investment income could be more fair and quickly make it less profitable to pollute − here's why

Investor pressure could drive down greenhouse gas emissions. Tippapatt/iStock/Getty Images Plus About 10 years ago, a very thick book written by a French economist became a surprising bestseller. It was called “Capital in the 21st Century.” In it, Thomas Piketty traces the history of income and wealth inequality over the past couple of hundred years. The book’s insights struck a chord with people who felt a growing sense of economic inequality but didn’t have the data to back it up. I was one of them. It made me wonder, how much carbon pollution is being generated to create wealth for

August 17, 2023
A carbon tax on investment income could be more fair and quickly make it less profitable to pollute − here's why
Environment

A carbon tax on investment income could be more fair and make it less profitable to pollute – a new analysis shows why

Investor pressure could drive down greenhouse gas emissions. Tippapatt/iStock/Getty Images Plus About 10 years ago, a very thick book written by a French economist became a surprising bestseller. It was called “Capital in the 21st Century.” In it, Thomas Piketty traces the history of income and wealth inequality over the past couple of hundred years. The book’s insights struck a chord with people who felt a growing sense of economic inequality but didn’t have the data to back it up. I was one of them. It made me wonder, how much carbon pollution is being generated to create wealth for

August 17, 2023
A carbon tax on investment income could be more fair and make it less profitable to pollute – a new analysis shows why
Environment

Tropical Storm Hilary pounds Southern California with heavy rain, flash flooding

Forecasters warned of ‘potentially historic rainfall’ and ‘dangerous to locally catastrophic flooding.’ A hurricane scientist explains what El Niño, a heat dome and mountains have to do with the risk.

August 18, 2023
Tropical Storm Hilary pounds Southern California with heavy rain, flash flooding
Environment

Hurricane Hilary triggers California's first tropical storm watch ever, with heavy rain and flash flooding forecast

Hurricane Hilary was a powerful Category 4 storm as it headed for Baja California on Aug. 18, 2023. NOAA NESDIS Hurricane Hilary headed for Mexico’s Baja peninsula as a powerful Category 4 storm, and was on track to speed into Southern California at or near tropical storm strength as early as Aug. 20, 2023. The storm is so unusual that for the first time ever, the National Hurricane Center issued a tropical storm watch for both San Diego County and Orange County, as well as Catalina Island. Hurricane scientist Nick Grondin explains how Hurricane Hilary, with help from El Niño

August 18, 2023
Hurricane Hilary triggers California's first tropical storm watch ever, with heavy rain and flash flooding forecast

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