Denver’s Downtown Energy Transformation Denver plans to heat and cool several downtown buildings using a novel system that incorporates water, geothermal energy, and heat derived from sewage. This approach offers a green alternative to the current reliance on fossil fuels, primarily used to power, heat, and cool the city’s structures. The initiative aims to address...
The PDX Community Solar project benefits from a grant exceeding $4 million, sourced from the Portland Clean Energy Fund. This project delivers power to qualified, low-income residents in Portland, Oregon, particularly in the Cully neighborhood. These efforts highlight the broader initiative, with NPR dedicating a series to explore community-led climate solutions amidst political challenges. Portland’s...
In Utah, a coalition of communities, from large cities to small rural towns like Coalville, are collaborating to increase renewable energy in the electric grid. This initiative could serve as a model for other U.S. cities to pursue climate action, especially as federal support wanes. NPR has dedicated coverage to how these communities are addressing...
Mexican officials announced their decision to reject the proposal by Royal Caribbean to construct a large water park along the Caribbean coast. The decision followed strong opposition from local residents and environmental advocates who expressed concerns about the potential harm to the region’s delicate ecosystem and the community of Mahahual. At a press conference on...
Starbucks recently proclaimed that their cold-beverage cups are “widely recyclable.” Yet, an investigation by the advocacy group Beyond Plastics has challenged this assertion. According to their findings, none of the tracked cups reached a recycling facility. The coffee company disagrees with the methodology used by Beyond Plastics. Starbucks argues that the tracking devices, which are...
On May 20, 2026, a study published in Royal Society Open Science revealed unprecedented journeys made by humpback whales between eastern Australia and Brazil. Researchers documented the longest distances recorded for these marine giants. The study involved international scientists identifying whales using tens of thousands of images. These photos revealed two humpback whales traversing oceans...
Soft, stretchy plastics, like grocery bags and bubble wrap, are common in daily life. Disposing of them can be challenging. If left in landfills, these materials take centuries to break down, releasing harmful microplastics. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 3 million tons of plastic bags, sacks, and wraps ended up in U.S. landfills...
Scientists are reassessing climate scenarios, acknowledging that some of the extreme outcomes for global warming are now unlikely. This shift reflects modest gains in carbon reduction efforts. However, they agree that limiting warming to the 1.5 degrees Celsius target set in 2015 is unachievable. Revised Carbon Pollution Scenarios New carbon pollution scenarios replace the extreme...
Historically, significant events have changed the course of human history. One such phenomenon is El Niño, which researchers are observing closely due to its potential impact. Understanding El Niño El Niño refers to significant changes in Pacific Ocean winds and water temperatures. These shifts can dramatically alter global weather patterns. Historically, El Niño has been...