Healthy forests fight climate change, supply clean water, and boost our well‑being. Yet picturing a forest in a bustling city feels strange. That’s why micro‑forests—small, public green spaces planted with local species—are gaining popularity worldwide. These compact forests bring the benefits of
The state is seeing a major shake‑up as Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy plan to merge, creating the biggest utility in America. A local nonprofit warns that this deal could favor corporate profits over customers, especially as it aims to power the massive energy demands of AI data centers. Mea
Maine’s biggest challenges today aren’t just about money—they’re about stability. Families struggle with rising grocery bills while heating and gas prices climb. Renters face shrinking options as homes become harder to find. Parents juggle work with expensive childcare, and workers worry about keepi
Farmers growing rice in contaminated soil face a hidden dilemma. Tiny soil microbes control how mercury turns into a more dangerous form called methylmercury—a toxin that can build up in rice grains. Scientists wanted to see what happens when these microbes start disappearing, which climate change m
In Washington state, small towns like Lynden often set the example for big solutions. Located near the Canadian border, this farming community depends on the Nooksack River for water. But climate change is making summers drier, with less snow and rain to feed the river. The mayor recently pointed ou
Officials in Wyoming are debating a massive $4 billion project that promises to store energy using water. The plan involves building a giant reservoir near Seminoe Reservoir to pump water uphill when electricity is cheap and let it flow back down to generate power when demand rises. Sounds smart, ri
Jupiter Island isn’t just another stretch of sand in Florida—it’s a private strip where high-profile owners like Tiger Woods and Venus Williams keep homes behind guarded gates. But beneath the glamour, the island is shrinking. A thin strip of land near Peck Lake, just 460 feet wide at its narrowest,
Scientists warn that Earth’s temperature is likely to rise again and again in the next five years, breaking the safe limit agreed by countries in 2015. The new climate models show a high chance—about three‑quarters—that the average temperature from 2026 to 2030 will exceed 1. 5 °C above pre‑industri
Climate change is turning hail into a bigger, costlier threat. A new study shows that as the world warms, storms will produce more large hailstones—those bigger than a marble—and fewer smaller ones. By the end of this century, the frequency of large hail could rise between 38 % and 47 %, depending
Scientists have noticed something worrying about droughts lately. They’re not just lasting longer—they’re also starting suddenly and getting severe very quickly. This change didn’t happen by accident. Research shows the main causes of these fast-developing droughts have shifted. In the past, lack of
