News

The Park Fire north of Chico, California, has burned 428,744 acres as of August 9, according to Cal Fire. (https...Read more about The Park Fire: Northern California

A recent article in the journal Nature reports that "Coral Sea heat extremes in 2024, 2017 and 2020 (in order of descending mean SST anomalies) were the warmest in 400 years..," causing "mass coral bleachings." These extreme temperatures pose an "existential threat" to the Great Barrier...Read more about The Great Barrier Reef and High Surface Temps

In "Experiment Traces Bird Flu Spread in Cows to Milking Machines", New York Times author Carl Zimmer reviews recent research on how bird flu spreads in dairy herds. Prior research has indicated that the virus is not spread as a respiratory infection. Instead, new, and as yet...Read more about Research Suggests Bird Flu Spreads Via Milking Machines

In the New York Times, Joseph Goldstein investigates New York City's preparations for a potential bird flu outbreak. While the H5N1 virus has not been found to spread between people, it has been found in dairy cattle (though not in New York). Although the article suggests that H5N1 is...Read more about Preparing for Bird Flu

in "Aging Dams Decay Storms Increase Danger," New York Times writer Mitch Smith discusses some of the broader challenges exemplified by the near failure of the Rapidan Dam in southern Minnesota, which occurred as the result of recent near-record flooding on the Blue Earth River.

...Read more about Aging Dams and Flooding

The New York Times continues its coverage of heat waves around the world.

In "Failing to Heed Threat of Heat," Damien Cave and Somini Sengupta write that there is a "dangerous cultural lag" as heat rises. Referring to recent heat-related deaths in Saudi Arabia and India, the...Read more about More on Heat Waves

As reported by Erich Wagner in Government Executive ("Senate Bill Aims to Streamline How Agencies Respond to Wildfires"), two bipartisan bills addressing wildfire risks are advancing in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Both bills are responses to...Read more about Wildfire Bills Advance in Congress

Rachel Nuwer, in the New York Times ("In a Surprise, Monkeys React To a Disaster By Being Nicer") reports on a recently published study of primate behavioral change after a disaster. The disaster was Hurricane Maria, a category 5 hurricane that devasted the northeastern Caribbean,...Read more about Primate Cooperation After Disaster

The New York Times continues its coverage of heat waves around the world.

An article by Soomini Sengupta ("Well Beyond the U.S., Heat and Climate Extremes Hit Billions"), reports on an estimate by the World Metreological Organization that 489,000 people have died of extreme heat...Read more about Heat Waves Continued

The heat wave descending on major parts of the U.S. as summer begins has prompted a number of articles from the New York Times.

An article by Dionne Searcey talks about how rural regions in the U.S. may be less prepared to handle heat waves than urban regions. The article argues...Read more about Heat Wave Reflections

The New York Times ("How Paramedics Prepare for Heat Waves") describes how emergency medical workers in Arizona, Texas and other states are using large plastic bags or body bags to serve as "ice cocoons" that zip up around overheated patients. The article reports that the Phoenix Fire Department...Read more about New Strategies for Heat Waves

New Mexico Fire Information reports that the South Fork Fire in southern New Mexico has burned 13,921 acres and has impacted 500 structures. It is zero percent contained. The town of Ruidoso has been evacuated and 270 individuals have checked in to shelters in Roswell, and 120 in Capitan. New...Read more about New Mexico Wildfires Lead to Evacuation

The California Insurance Commissioner, Ricardo Lara, has proposed a new plan to provide insurance for homes in areas that are at high risk for wildfires. The plan addresses the problem that insurers have been canceling policies for these homes. While the State cannot force insurers to provide...Read more about California Insurance Commissioner Proposes Insurance Strategy

The New York Times reports that a new unpublished study has found evidence of transmission of bird flu between mammals ("Bird Flu Virus Adapted to Sea Mammals, New Sudy Finds," June 7, 20204). The study is based on a genetic analysis of elephant seals, which died in great numbers off...Read more about New Study Finds Bird Flu Spreads Between Mammals

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released a report that predicts an "80 percent likelihood that the annual average global temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for at least one of the next five years" (WMO Media Release, June 5, 2024) and an...Read more about World Meteorological Organization Predicts Temperature Rise

The New York Times ("Insiders Warn of OpenAI's Reckless Race to No. 1," June 5, 2024) reports that a group of current and former OpenAI employees are criticizing OpenAI for putting profits and growth ahead of safety. A senior employee formerly involved with managing risk at OpenAI, Dr....Read more about Current and Former OpenAI Employees Warn of Safety Concerns

The New York Times ("Papua New Guinea Landslide Said to Kill at Least 670") reports that a landslide in Papua New Guinea has killed at least 670 people and displaced another 1250.

The article reports that search-and-rescue efforts have been difficult due to access and conditions...Read more about Major Landslide in Papua New Guinea

In "Dangers Grow as Workplaces Become Hotter," the New York Times points out that "Heat kills more people each year than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined, according to the National Weather Service."

The article argues that policy is misaligned with the rising threat. As...Read more about Extreme Heat in Workplaces

The World Health Assembly is meeting in Geneva to develop a treaty to address future pandemics. In "Countries Are Stalled in Talks for Treaty to Prespare World for the Next Pandemic," the New York Times reports that "A major bone of contention in the draft treat is a section called...Read more about World Health Assembly Meets to Discuss Pandemic Treaty

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that the EPA and the Department of Justice had reached a $310 million settlement with Norfolk Southern for the February, 2023 train derailement in East Palestine, Ohio. During the incident, thirty-eight freight cars derailed, dumping vinyl...Read more about Norfolk Southern Derailement Settleement