Climate Change

How extreme heat can hinder effectiveness of pregnancy tests, some contraception

By Shefali Luthra, The 19th

Many states with abortion bans are experiencing broiling summers — and the heat could damage supplies such as emergency contraception and condoms.

Why people in Maui were caught off guard by the deadly wildfires

By Stephanie Sy, Eliot Barnhart, Solveig Rennan, Courtney Norris, Dorothy Hastings

At least 55 people are now confirmed dead after fast-moving wildfires ravaged the Hawaiian island of Maui this week. Those who did manage to survive now face the daunting task of piecing their lives back together. Stephanie Sy reports on…

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Antarctic sea ice at record lows as global temperatures rise

By William Brangham, Shoshana Dubnow

As temperature records fall all over the planet this summer, scientists are also increasingly concerned about what’s happening to the sea ice around Antarctica. William Brangham reports.

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A billion-dollar coastal restoration project begins in Louisiana. Will it work as sea levels rise?

By Kevin McGill, Associated Press

If the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion project works as intended, solids in the river water will settle out in the basin and gradually restore land that has been steadily eroding for decades.

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.