Today: September 21, 2024
Today: September 21, 2024

Environment

Environment

Invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage worldwide: 4 essential reads

Invasive species – including plants, animals and fish – cause heavy damage to crops, wildlife and human health worldwide. Some prey on native species; other out-compete them for space and food or spread disease. A new United Nations report estimates the losses generated by invasives at more than US$423 billion yearly and shows that these damages have at least quadrupled in every decade since 1970. Humans regularly move animals, plants and other living species from their home areas to new locations, either accidentally or on purpose. For example, they may import plants from faraway locations to raise as crops or

September 06, 2023
Invasive species cause billions of dollars in damage worldwide: 4 essential reads
Environment

The US is spending billions to reduce forest fire risks – we mapped the hot spots where treatment offers the biggest payoff for people and climate

A forest-thinning project in Arizona leaves more open canopy and clearer ground. David McNew/Getty Images The U.S. government is investing over US$7 billion in the coming years to try to manage the nation’s escalating wildfire crisis. That includes a commitment to treat at least 60 million acres in the next 10 years by expanding forest-thinning efforts and controlled burns. While that sounds like a lot – 60 million acres is about the size of Wyoming – it’s nowhere close to enough to treat every acre that needs it. So, where can taxpayers get the biggest bang for the buck? I’m

September 06, 2023
The US is spending billions to reduce forest fire risks – we mapped the hot spots where treatment offers the biggest payoff for people and climate
Environment|News|Science

Hurricane Lee is charting a new course in weather and could signal more monster storms

Experts say that Hurricane Lee is rewriting old rules of meteorology

September 09, 2023
Hurricane Lee is charting a new course in weather and could signal more monster storms
Environment|News|Political|Science|World

Group of 20 countries agree to increase clean energy but reach no deal on phasing out fossil fuels

Group of 20 leaders have agreed to triple renewable energy and try to increase the funds for climate change-related disasters but maintained the status quo with regards to phasing out carbon spewing coal

September 09, 2023
Group of 20 countries agree to increase clean energy but reach no deal on phasing out fossil fuels
Economy|Environment|News|Science|Technology

As US East Coast ramps up offshore wind power projects, much remains unknown

As the U.S. races to build offshore wind power projects that will transform coastlines from Maine to South Carolina, much remains unknown about how the facilities could affect the environment

September 11, 2023
As US East Coast ramps up offshore wind power projects, much remains unknown
Environment|Health|WrittenByLAPost

Breath Easier with these Air Quality Insights

The air we breathe affects our health and quality of life. Knowing your home’s weather may protect you and your family. This article discusses air quality monitoring and data analysis. How does the Air Quality Index (AQI) function? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Air Quality Index is used as a barometer to assess air quality in a specific area. An AQI can be used to determine whether the air is polluted or not on any given day. It takes into account five major categories of air contaminants, with fine particle pollution (PM2.5) being particularly significant during calamities

September 11, 2023
Breath Easier with these Air Quality Insights
Environment|News|Political|World

Thousands are feared dead and thousands more are missing in flood-ravaged eastern Libya

Emergency workers uncovered more than 1,500 bodies in the wreckage of Libya’s eastern city of Derna, and it was feared the toll could surpass 5,000 after floodwaters smashed through dams and washed away entire neighborhoods of the city

September 12, 2023
Thousands are feared dead and thousands more are missing in flood-ravaged eastern Libya
Environment|News

Massachusetts city got nearly 10 inches of rain in 6 hours, flooding homes and eroding dams

Heavy rainfall has flooded parts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, with two communities declaring a state of emergency as water poured into homes, creating moats around their foundations and leading to boat rescues of residents

September 12, 2023
Massachusetts city got nearly 10 inches of rain in 6 hours, flooding homes and eroding dams
Environment

What Arizona and other drought-ridden states can learn from Israel's pioneering water strategy

Suburban development in Maricopa County, Arizona, with lakes, lush golf courses and water-guzzling lawns. Wild Horizon/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the U.S., with an economy that offers many opportunities for workers and businesses. But it faces a daunting challenge: a water crisis that could seriously constrain its economic growth and vitality. A recent report that projected a roughly 4% shortfall in groundwater supplies in the Phoenix area over the next 100 years prompted the state to curtail new approval of groundwater-dependent residential development in some of the region’s fast-growing suburbs. Moreover,

September 12, 2023
What Arizona and other drought-ridden states can learn from Israel's pioneering water strategy
Environment|News|World

Cyclone that devastated Libya is latest extreme event with some hallmarks of climate change

Scientists say the Mediterranean storm that dumped torrential rain on the Libyan coast is just the latest extreme weather event to carry some hallmarks of climate change

September 12, 2023
Cyclone that devastated Libya is latest extreme event with some hallmarks of climate change
Environment|Health|News|Science|World

Special mosquitoes are being bred to fight dengue. How the old enemies are now becoming allies

Preventing dengue fever has long meant teaching people to fear mosquitoes and avoid their bites

September 13, 2023
Special mosquitoes are being bred to fight dengue. How the old enemies are now becoming allies
Environment|Health|News|Science|World

Special mosquitoes are being bred to fight dengue. How the old enemies are now becoming allies

Preventing dengue fever has long meant teaching people to fear mosquitoes and avoid their bites

September 13, 2023
Special mosquitoes are being bred to fight dengue. How the old enemies are now becoming allies
News|Environment|Science

Rain-soaked New England hit by likely tornado amid wild weather ahead of Hurricane Lee's arrival

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for portions of Maine and a tropical storm watch for a large area of coastal New England as Hurricane Lee heads to the region

September 13, 2023
Rain-soaked New England hit by likely tornado amid wild weather ahead of Hurricane Lee's arrival
Environment|News|Political|World

Searchers race to recover bodies in Libyan city where 5,100 died in flooding after 2 dams collapsed

Search teams are combing streets, wrecked buildings and even the sea to look for bodies in a coastal Libyan city where the collapse of two dams unleashed a massive flash flood that killed at least 5,100 people

September 13, 2023
Searchers race to recover bodies in Libyan city where 5,100 died in flooding after 2 dams collapsed
Entertainment|Environment|News|World

Ox-pulled floats with sacred images of Mary draw thousands to Portugal’s wine-country procession

In the small town of Lamego in Portugal's Douro River Valley, where harvesting grapes for wine is in full swing in early September, one of Portugal’s largest and oldest religious festivals draws thousands

September 13, 2023
Ox-pulled floats with sacred images of Mary draw thousands to Portugal’s wine-country procession
Environment|News|Science|World

Earth is outside its 'safe operating space for humanity' on most key measurements, study says

A new study of Earth's health says the planet is outside its “safe operating space for humanity” on six out of nine key measurements

September 13, 2023
Earth is outside its 'safe operating space for humanity' on most key measurements, study says
Environment|Health|News|Political

Biden's rules on clean cars face a crucial test as Republican-led challenges go to DC appeals court

Efforts by the Biden administration to limit tailpipe pollution from automobiles face a crucial test as legal challenges brought by Republican-led states head to a federal appeals court

September 14, 2023
Biden's rules on clean cars face a crucial test as Republican-led challenges go to DC appeals court
Environment|News

After days of heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes in New England, Hurricane Lee up next

After several days of torrential rain, flooding, sinkholes and tornadoes, New England is preparing for something more dangerous lurking offshore — Hurricane Lee

September 14, 2023
After days of heavy rain, flooding and tornadoes in New England, Hurricane Lee up next
Economy|Environment|News|Political

Offshore wind energy plans advance in New Jersey amid opposition

Two major offshore wind power projects are taking steps forward in New Jersey

September 14, 2023
Offshore wind energy plans advance in New Jersey amid opposition
Environment|News|World

Spain records its third hottest summer since records began as a drought drags on

Spain has recorded its third hottest summer since official records began 62 years ago

September 14, 2023
Spain records its third hottest summer since records began as a drought drags on
Environment|News|Political|World

Venice and its lagoon again escape inclusion on UNESCO list of heritage sites in danger

The storied Italian lagoon city of Venice escaped inclusion on UNESCO’s list of world heritage in danger during a meeting of the World Heritage Committee in Saudia Arabia on Thursday, as member states commended efforts to preserve both the storied and fragile city and its lagoon

September 14, 2023
Venice and its lagoon again escape inclusion on UNESCO list of heritage sites in danger
Environment|News|Political|World

France sends the army to ensure water to drought-stricken Indian Ocean island of Mayotte

France is sending military forces to distribute water on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte

September 14, 2023
France sends the army to ensure water to drought-stricken Indian Ocean island of Mayotte
Environment|News

Fire at Michigan paper mill closes roads, residents told to shelter in place while air monitored

Residents near a northern Michigan paper mill that caught fire Wednesday have been told to shelter in place until Thursday afternoon as environmental officials continue monitoring local air quality

September 14, 2023
Fire at Michigan paper mill closes roads, residents told to shelter in place while air monitored
Environment|News|Political

As climate risks increase, New York could require flood disclosures in home sales

New York could soon require people selling their homes to disclose whether their properties have been flooded or are at risk for future flooding

September 14, 2023
As climate risks increase, New York could require flood disclosures in home sales
Environment

As climate change warms rivers, they are running out of breath – and so could the plants and animals they harbor

When water warms, it holds less oxygen, and this can harm aquatic life and degrade water quality. A new study finds that climate change is driving oxygen loss in hundreds of US and European rivers.

September 14, 2023
As climate change warms rivers, they are running out of breath – and so could the plants and animals they harbor

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