Climate Change

Wildfire blazes through Maui, killing at least 53 people and destroying historic Hawaiian town

By Ty O'Neil, Audrey McAvoy, Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Christopher Weber, Associated Press

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Thursday that 53 people were killed in the devastating Maui wildfires, and the death toll will likely continue to rise.

Scientists look for additional factors beyond climate change and El Nino in July heat wave

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Researchers say by far the biggest cause of the recent extreme heat is human-caused climate change, with a smaller contribution from a natural El Nino. But some scientists are searching for an additional factor.

The race to rescue corals from a blistering marine heat wave

By Michael Childress, The Conversation

While corals can recover from mass bleaching events like this, long periods of high heat can leave them weak and vulnerable to disease that can ultimately kill them.

Unprecedented levels of damage from storms this year is upending U.S. towns, insurance industry

By Michelle Chapman, Associated Press

Waves of thunderstorms in the U.S. during the first half of this year led to $34 billion in insured losses, an unprecedented level of financial damage as climate change contributes to the frequency and severity of violent meteorological events.

Millions struggle to pay AC bills amid increasing heat waves. Federal aid reaches only a fraction

By Jesse Bedayn, Associated Press

While President Joe Biden has invested billions into federal programs that subsidize the poorest Americans' energy costs, the help reaches only a fraction of the most vulnerable during the sweltering summer months.

European scientists officially declare July as record-breaking hottest month ever recorded

By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Now that last month's sizzling numbers are all in, the European climate monitoring organization made it official: July 2023 was Earth's hottest month on record by a wide margin.

Biden to showcase work on climate change, veterans on trip in western U.S.

By Chris Megerian, Associated Press

The Democrat is seeking to draw an implicit contrast between his administration’s accomplishments and former President Donald Trump’s legal troubles. Biden leaves on Monday for a three-night trip to Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

After helping prevent extinctions for 50 years, the Endangered Species Act itself may be at risk

Opposition has grown from industry and landowner groups who say it hampers economic growth and property rights. Supporters are fighting back, saying the law is more important than ever.

Mojave Desert wildfire threatens California’s iconic Joshua trees

By Shoshana Dubnow, Stephanie Sy

Firefighters are working to control a massive blaze that swept through the California desert and into Nevada. A wildfire of this scale is not common in the Mojave Desert landscape, known for its unique vegetation and animal species. Stephanie Sy…

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Winter waves off of California are getting higher as the climate changes, research finds

By Julie Watson, Associated Press

The research shows average winter wave heights have grown by as much as a foot since 1970, when global warming is believed to have started accelerating.