The planet is getting hotter, and people are paying the price. Over the past few decades, the number of deaths caused by extreme heat has shot up by 23%. That means around 546, 000 people die each year because of it. And it's not just heat; wildfire smoke is also taking a toll. In 2024 alone, 154, 000 people died due to air pollution from wildfires. Burning fossil f...
The sun, our solar system's star, has been a reliable energy source for billions of years. It provides heat, light, and drives weather patterns. This natural powerhouse supports life and inspires people across the political spectrum. In recent times, humans have relied on fossil fuels, but solar technology has advanced significantly. Photovoltaic (PV) systems now co...
A major decision has just come down from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. They've said that governments can't just ignore climate change. Countries have to cut emissions and help out nations that are getting hit hard by it. Vanuatu, a small island country, asked the court for this ruling. They're worried their whole country might disappear beca...
Imagine a CEO from a fossil fuel company becoming the nation's energy boss. This is exactly what happened when Chris Wright, a prominent figure in the energy world, was approved by the Senate to lead the Department of Energy. His appointment is a big deal because it aligns with a certain administration’s push for “energy dominance” globally. Wright, who heads up Den...
In the year before the Los Angeles county wildfires, major fossil fuel companies fought hard against a bill that would have made them pay for climate disasters. This bill, known as the Polluters Pay Climate Cost Recovery Act of 2024, was aimed at requiring the state's biggest carbon polluters to contribute to a fund that would help prevent or clean up disasters. Big ...
President-elect Donald Trump’s energy policy, often summarized as “drill, baby, drill, ” is expected to get more complex. His cabinet picks, including Doug Burgum for Interior Secretary and Chris Wright, a natural gas fracking CEO, hint that fossil fuels will be the focus. Both have experience with renewable energy, too. Burgum saw wind power soar in North Dakota dur...
In a significant move, Montana's highest court has backed a lower court decision that the state must consider the impact of greenhouse gases when approving oil, gas, and coal projects. This landmark ruling, supported by a 6-1 vote, asserts that Montana residents have a constitutional right to a clean environment. The case, brought forth by young environmentalists, hi...
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today. President Biden has been working hard to address this issue. He brought the U. S. back into the Paris Agreement and invested a lot in clean energy. Now, with a new president-elect coming in, it's more important than ever to do something about the expansion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. The U. S...
When Donald Trump returns to the White House, he plans to make significant changes to the country's environmental policies. Some of the biggest changes include withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, opening more areas for oil and gas drilling, and weakening rules that control power plant emissions. Trump's goal is to boost economic growth, but these changes come at a ...
Ever thought about how warmer days could lead to stronger storms? Let's take a look at what happened recently in Valencia, Spain. A powerful storm swept through, leaving over 150 people dead and many others missing. Scientists from World Weather Attribution (WWA) are taking a closer look at this tragedy. They believe climate change might be a big part of the problem....