All Environment
Points of ProgressFor safer drinking water, the ingenuity of simple solutionsProgress roundup: Researchers develop an elegantly simple filter for microplastics, and a nonprofit is giving access to potable water to millions in East Africa. 聽
First LookMarch to End Fossil Fuels: 75,000 protestors descend on NYCAs many as 75,000 people in New York City have begun a week of demonstrations seeking to end the use of fossil fuels and demand policy change. The march marked the beginning of New York鈥檚 Climate Week, where world leaders are gathering for a U.N. summit.
They moved to Vermont for climate safety. Then came floods.Extreme weather events have been persistent and global. They are bringing home the effects of climate change, even in areas of relative safety.
First LookNo more to-go cups? Starbucks to discontinue disposables by 2030.Starbucks plans to discontinue disposable cups by 2030 to reach its environmental goals of decreasing waste. Its store at Arizona State University has been reusing plastic cups with success, but can those practices be replicated at stores worldwide?
First LookNew environmental ruling shifts stewardship back to tribes and statesThe Biden administration鈥檚 decision will give back power to states and tribes to review federally regulated projects that could potentially pollute waterways. Proponents of the ruling claim it will help end 鈥渞egulatory chaos.鈥�
First LookNew England, already saturated by heavy rain, awaits Hurricane LeeCoastal New England is under a tropical storm watch in anticipation of Hurricane Lee making landfall later this week. The region braces for another storm as it still deals with the aftermath of extreme weather, including recent flash flooding and sinkholes.
If you map it, they will come: The effort to chart the seafloorJournalist聽Laura聽Trethewey plunges into the intense race to map the oceans 鈥� and the potential for exploitation of one of the planet鈥檚 few remaining frontiers.聽
Helping bays become 鈥榓 better spot鈥� for oysters 鈥� and farmersA partnership between conservationists and oyster farmers is expanding after a promising start.聽
First LookStunned Libya reels from flash flood, with 10,000 reportedly missingMediterranean storm Daniel caused floodwaters to rise and break through dams in Libya鈥檚 eastern city of Derna, smashing through the city, and washing away entire neighborhoods. An estimated聽700 people have been killed and 10,000 are reported missing.聽
For community built atop former landfill, a long wait for justiceThe Gordon Plaza community in New Orleans, built on a former landfill, symbolizes how the legal 鈥渂urden of proof鈥� is often stacked against people harmed by pollution.
Points of ProgressSignaling what matters: Indigenous representation, free school lunchProgress roundup: Brazil鈥檚 census finds more Indigenous people with new counting methods. And Africa鈥檚 largest school meals program aims to fight hunger.
First LookBiden cancels remaining Alaska fossil fuel leases amid criticismThe remaining seven oil and gas leases in Alaska鈥檚 Arctic National Wildlife Refuge have been canceled. The move comes after the Biden administration drew criticism from environmental groups when it approved the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve.
In Pictures: Making a living on the world鈥檚 largest desert lakeMaking a living has become increasingly difficult around Kenya鈥檚 Lake Turkana. Adapting and sharing, these pastoralists hold on.聽
Sea ice is shrinking. These maps show by how muchHeat waves this summer from the U.S. to Europe and Asia have caught the world鈥檚 attention. But it鈥檚 also been unseasonably warm in the Antarctic winter 鈥� with visible effects.
First LookGlobal thermometer soars: Summer 2023 sets unprecedented recordsAugust 2023 has been by far the hottest month measured by scientists since the invention of modern equipment 鈥� it鈥檚 the second hottest month after July 2023, according to the World Meteorological Organization.
Points of ProgressHotlines, foreign policy, and monkeys: Where empathy drives progressProgress roundup: Chile makes gender a part of its foreign policy, and scientists in China are using butterfly-inspired nanofilms to cool objects.聽
Letter from Moab, Utah: Where Colorado River is musical museThe Colorado River is often viewed as a place of crisis. One Utah festival showcases the artistic creativity the river can inspire.聽
Hurricane Idalia tests resilience of Florida鈥檚 Nature CoastThe coastal village of Cedar Key has an 鈥淥ld Florida鈥� identity. Now it adapts to new risks as hurricane season combines with rising sea levels.
Points of ProgressSolar panels get a reputation boost, and a green container ship sailsProgress roundup: A cargo ship runs on biomethanol, and solar power lowers demand on a grid, allowing the third-largest power plant in New England to be safely retired.
First LookHurricane Idalia reaches Florida's west coast as Cat 3 stormHurricane Idalia came ashore early Wednesday in the lightly populated Big Bend, Florida. Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a morning news conference, 鈥淭his thing鈥檚 powerful. If you鈥檙e inside, just hunker down until it gets past you.鈥�