ClimateWire News
Sand and dust storms affect 330M people in 150 countries, UN says
In the Middle East and North Africa, the annual cost of dealing with dust and sand storms is $150 billion, roughly 2.5 percent of GDP.
Climate alliance for banks sees another big departure
With London-based HSBC Holdings now no longer a member of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, the commitment of other lenders may now be questioned.
Texas failed to spend federal aid for disaster protection
States across the country have not used billions of dollars from FEMA intended to reduce damage from flooding and other disasters.
State Department’s gutting of climate staff hamstrings US agenda, former diplomats say
Friday's mass firing included climate and energy staff, potentially thwarting U.S. global engagement as China grabs the reins on clean energy development.
California lost $3B by delaying cap-and-trade overhaul, report says
A delay in strengthening the California program caused the state to take in less money for climate projects, a climate advocacy group says.
Trump megalaw will increase emissions, slow clean energy growth
Household energy expenses will rise too, according to analysis from the Rhodium Group.
Missouri AG investigates shareholder advisory firms over climate
Andrew Bailey says Glass Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services present themselves as neutral but push "aggressive climate activism policies.”
Von der Leyen vs. Weber: The EU’s climate fight reaches its endgame
The two EU conservative heavyweights’ growing divisions are coming to a head over a crucial 2040 climate target.
Elon Musk faces a new threat in Canada
Prime Minister Mark Carney is under pressure from Washington to make an EV U-turn.
Breaking down the force of water in the Texas floods
A small amount of water — less than many might think — can sweep away people, cars and homes. Six inches is enough to knock people off their feet.
How hot can it get? Scientists struggle to find an answer.
The answer has grave implications for humanity as climate change makes heat more intense and frequent.
Megalaw complicates Trump’s plans to quickly ax renewable credits
Many planned solar and wind projects slated to go online by 2030 may still qualify for Biden-era credits under the new law.
Marjorie Taylor Greene pledges probe into geoengineering
The Georgia Republican said she spoke with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and will hold a hearing on weather-changing technology.
Texas Legislature to consider flood measures in special session
Lawmakers also will debate proposals related to abortion, hemp and redistricting when they convene July 21.
GOP attorneys general seek to intervene in climate case against Trump
They say the youth-led lawsuit — which targets three of the president's energy-related executive orders — would cost money and jobs.
California scales back plan to cool prisons
A budget deficit prompted state lawmakers to trim — but not eliminate — funding for a pilot program that will pay for air conditioning and insulation at three correctional facilities.
European Parliament rejects EU anti-deforestation black list
It’s yet another blow for the European Commission in its effort to get the anti-deforestation law up and running.
Climate change makes South Asia’s monsoons more erratic and intense
Monsoon season is now punctuated with intense flooding and dry spells, rather than sustained rain throughout.
US faces more extreme weather, but attitudes and actions aren’t keeping up
People and governments are generally living in the past and haven’t embraced that extreme weather is now the norm, to say nothing about preparing for a nastier future.
BYD, other EV battery makers face more pressure to cut emissions
Many leading suppliers have battery production hubs in China and Poland, where power systems remain heavily reliant on polluting fossil fuels, said a Greenpeace report.