Jan 16 The 16 ‘billion dollar disasters’ of 2017 By Jennifer Hijazi Three massive hurricanes, severe storms and wildfires across the U.S. caused more than $306 billion in damage last year, making 2017 the most expensive year for climate disasters on record. Continue reading
Dec 08 California struggles to breathe after year of climate-fueled wildfires By John Upton, Climate Central, Barbara Feder Ostrov, Kaiser Health News From Puget Sound to Disneyland and east over the Rockies, Americans have coughed and wheezed, rushed to emergency rooms and shut themselves indoors this year as pollution from wildfires darkened skies and rained soot across the landscape. Continue reading
Dec 06 Extreme winds are fueling uncontrollable fires in Southern California. Here’s what we know By Rashmi Shivni Massive wildfires that burned across Southern California on Wednesday have destroyed hundreds of homes, closed schools and set off mass evacuations. Continue reading
Oct 06 Watch 4:59 News Wrap: Hurricanes deal temporary blow to U.S. job market By PBS News Hour In our news wrap Friday, the Labor Department reported the economy shed 33,000 jobs in September, citing the damaging impact hurricanes Harvey and Irma had on the job market. Also, the White House would neither confirm or deny whether President… Continue watching
Oct 06 Human activity can trigger earthquakes, but how many? This number might surprise you By Rashmi Shivni Earthquakes can now be caused by people thanks to fracking, drilling and wastewater disposal. A new database shows how common these human-made earthquakes are. Continue reading
Aug 29 Can Congress fix the troubled federal flood insurance program? By Lisa Desjardins As the largest flooding event in modern U.S. history affects millions across Texas, members of Congress face a political crisis over how to handle the nation’s largest insurance plan for floods. Continue reading
Aug 29 Analysis: Why moving inland might not keep you safe from floods By Nina Lam, The Conversation Hurricane Harvey shows that inland communities also are at risk as flood zones increase. Continue reading
Feb 13 Watch 6:13 Precarious Oroville Dam highlights challenges of California water management By PBS News Hour At Northern California’s Lake Oroville, water levels receded Monday, stopping the overflow of water from the dam’s emergency spillway. This reduced the risk of immediate uncontrolled flooding -- but longer-term concerns remain. William Brangham speaks with Jeffrey Mount of the… Continue watching
Dec 23 Watch 5:28 Tijuana welcomes Haitian immigrants stuck at U.S.-Mexico border By PBS News Hour In the wake of late September’s Hurricane Matthew, Haitians are increasingly desperate to reach the United States, which has recently reinstated deportations to Haiti for the first time since 2010's earthquake. But residents of Tijuana, Mexico, are showing an unusual… Continue watching
Oct 05 Watch 2:52 U.S. officials brace for powerful hit from Hurricane Matthew By PBS News Hour Hurricane Matthew is the worst natural disaster to hit Haiti since the earthquake in 2010, prompting Haitian officials to postpone the presidential election set for next week. After causing damage in Cuba, the storm is next headed for the Bahamas… Continue watching