All Environment
The Climate Generation: Our landmark series, one year laterThe Monitor's聽Climate Generation聽series featured a host of youth-driven solutions. Our team checks back in, finding triumphs and setbacks.
First LookAs wildfires threatened Malibu, the Pepperdine students didn鈥檛 panic. They had a plan.Wildfires are threatening Southern California again, this time near Malibu. One college in the Santa Monica Mountains lay directly in the path of the Franklin Fire, but extensive safety plans have saved buildings from burning down and students from getting hurt.
Points of ProgressSquat lobsters and filtering fungi: Discoveries from the ocean deep to an African labIn our progress roundup,聽an underwater mountain in the Southern Pacific yields new species and South Africa researchers grow fungi to fight river pollution.
Record drought and blazes? The US Northeast awakens to new wildfire risks.After a record drought this fall, and increased wildfires, in the U.S. Northeast, people in this region are talking about better ways to prepare for threats to forests.聽
Robots and entrepreneurs work to green the US housing industryThe carbon-intensive U.S. construction industry is scrambling to help ease a nationwide housing shortage. Startups are trying to find climate-friendly solutions, but the challenges they face are emblematic of the barriers to industrywide change.
First LookTowns around the Great Lakes are used to snow. Why did this storm bring so much?The Great Lakes region has been buried in snow after days of storms, yet more could be on the way with forecasters predicting another storm system to hit the area.聽Snow totals since Thanksgiving are nearing 6 feet in some places.
Points of ProgressNew turtle moms hit the beach in Greece, and the school buses making electricityProgress roundup: New turtle moms hit the beach, a school bus fleet sends power back to the grid, and food waste is fermented into livestock feed.
First Look鈥業t is a matter of survival鈥�: UN court begins hearing for threatened island nationsAlmost 100 small island nations say their existence is threatened by climate change. The largest case in its history, the top United Nations court will determine whether聽major polluting nations should be held responsible.
After a Canadian orca pod鈥檚 decline, now 鈥榶ou can see the whales coming back鈥�A decades-old habitat preservation effort in British Columbia, Canada, is showing positive signs for one type of orcas that live there.
In Delhi, life beats on under toxic smog. But residents say this year is different.Delhi's air pollution is among the worst in the world, far exceeding World Health Organization safety limits. Residents share what that feels like for them on the ground.
Wild animals are disappearing in Latin America. Colombia is fighting back.Latin America鈥檚 animal populations have fallen drastically over the past 50 years. Will recapturing trafficked animals be enough to rewrite the future of wildlife?
First LookUN climate talks finally reach deal, hoping for more, settling for lessIn a late session at the United Nations climate talks, countries finally agreed on how rich nations can help poor ones in the face of climate change.聽
Loggers were stealing the forest. These women started stealing their chain saws.As the world鈥檚 leaders discuss the planet鈥檚 future at COP29, in Nigeria, a group of local women is defending its own forests, vigilante-style.
Overwhelmed by climate change? I started by changing me.How can we counter climate change? Turn off the lights. Buy secondhand toys. We can鈥檛 fix it alone, but we can start right where we are.
Points of ProgressSaving lives with reduced pollution, fewer pesticides, and less worker exploitationProgress roundup: Governments around the world protect workers from exploitation, poor air quality, and pesticides that harm people.
First LookWhat is a 鈥榖omb cyclone,鈥� and how hard will it hit the West Coast?Local officials across the West Coast are bracing for flash floods, power outages, and possible blizzards at high altitudes after announcing heavy rain from Nov. 19 to Nov. 22. Powerful winds also raise concerns about the increased risk of wildfires.聽
$1.3 trillion price tag for climate? These charts show why.At the COP29 summit, diplomats are debating how to finance action on climate change 鈥� and what role the private sector could play.
First LookAfrican women protest COP29 and organize to seek reparations from mining companiesAfrican women activists are protesting the ongoing U.N. COP29 climate summit by attending a 鈥渃ounter-COP鈥� to share the harmful impacts of mining on women and children. They seek reparations and a greater say in the extraction of minerals from their continent.
Difference MakerAbandoned 鈥榞host gear鈥� kills sea life. A Myanmar nonprofit is turning the tide.In 2018, Thanda Ko Gyi launched the nonprofit Myanmar Ocean Project, Myanmar鈥檚 first registered marine conservation organization.
Points of ProgressMost of the world wants action on climate change. Here鈥檚 what鈥檚 going right.Progress roundup: Most of the world wants action on climate change, and would be willing to pay for it. Here鈥檚 where clean energy is making gains.