Feb 15 Watch 6:04 Western states face a bleak future amid the worst drought in more than 1,000 years The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week. It has dried up water supplies, threatened ranchers and fueled wildfires. Park Williams, the lead author of the… Continue watching
Feb 14 West’s megadrought worsens to driest in at least 1,200 years By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press Monday's study says the megadrought is now the worst-case scenario officials and scientists worried about in the 1900s. The drought deepened so much in 2021 that it is 5 percent worse than the old record in the late 1500s. Continue reading
Feb 11 How heat waves, exacerbated by climate change, will be worst for the world’s poorest nations By Mojtaba Sadegh, John Abatzoglou, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, The Conversation The risk from heat waves is about more than intensity – being able to cool off is essential, and that’s hard to find in many low-income areas of the world. Continue reading
Feb 10 Watch 8:26 Biologists take drastic measures to save Florida manatees at risk of starvation By Miles O'Brien, Will Toubman Last year was the deadliest on record for manatees, many of whom starved to death because of a lack of seagrass. A die-off is happening again this year, and federal and state officials as well as volunteers in Florida are… Continue watching
Jan 28 One former NASA astronaut’s view on what is next in space exploration By Nicole Ellis "It's a good time to be a human being because, you know, these things are starting to open up and everybody is going to be able, or more people at least are going to be able to see what it's… Continue reading
Jan 14 Watch 7:23 Kenya’s worst drought in decades creates humanitarian crisis By Jack Hewson, Georgina Smith The worst drought in decades is gripping eastern Africa -- parching landscapes, killing livestock and creating a humanitarian crisis. Driven by climate change, it's also leading to civil strife, as shepherding communities battle each other for scarce resources. Special correspondent… Continue watching
Jan 14 Ocean heat is at record levels, with major consequences By Kevin Trenberth, The Conversation While surface temperatures were about the 6th warmest on record in 2021, the upper oceans were at their hottest – and they’re a stronger indicator of global warming. Continue reading
Jan 13 For 6th straight year, Earth sets record for hottest in history By Seth Borenstein, Associated Press Two U.S. science agencies say 2021 was the sixth hottest year on record globally, part of a long-term warming trend. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday released measurements showing how hot last year was. Continue reading
Dec 15 States volunteer to take more cuts in Colorado River water By Brittany Peterson, Felicia Fonseca, Associated Press Water leaders in California, Arizona and Nevada have signed an agreement to further reduce their take of Colorado River water to help stave off wider, mandatory cuts in the future. Continue reading
Dec 14 How climate change exacerbates conditions that can spawn lethal tornadoes By John Allen, The Conversation Climate models can’t see tornadoes yet, but they can recognize the conditions for tornadoes to form. An atmospheric scientist explains what that means for forecasting future risks. Continue reading