A few days ago, the United Nations Earth Summit 2012 concluded in Rio, 20 years after the first summit in 1992. The UN officially billed this conference as the one that would deliver to us a clear road map to the future we want. Now that the conference has wrapped up, the consensus seems to be that political leaders from around the world failed to move nations in the right direction. But that’s not the whole story.
Who were the real leaders in Rio?
Last Stand on the Island: What happens when your livelihood washes away?
Isle de Jean Charles would be washing away even if the seas weren’t rising due to climate change. However, sea level rise will only speed up the process, making this story a stark reminder of the vulnerability of our low-lying coastal communities.
Alaska natives move on as their village washes out to sea
Officially, the process of moving the entire town of Newtok, Alaska began in 2006. Unofficially, it began more than 30 years ago.
Melting sea ice leads to battle for the Arctic
Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton paid a visit to Norway as competition over the Arctic and its natural resources heats up. Secretary Clinton stressed the need for international cooperation as countries line up to secure a foothold in the rapidly warming Arctic.
Why are there bigger wildfires in the American West?
Both NASA and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have predicted that wildfires are likely to be more frequent and widespread because of climate change. That happens for two reasons: Higher temperatures, and also a drier climate.
Thousands of deaths expected across America due to increasing heat this century
This year, Americans have experienced the warmest spring on record , and as we enter summer we’re continuing to see record-high temperatures all across the country.
Climate change leaves a bad taste for low-income families – or no taste at all
Is climate change affecting your local food supply – either food you buy or harvest yourself? Tell us your story below.
The United States is making history. You can help.
You and I both know that climate change is real. And here in the United States, our leaders are finally [...]
Greenland losing ice faster than before
A recent story on NPR claimed to have “reassuring” news about melting ice in Greenland. Right after it was published, climate deniers jumped on the story. According to them, we don’t have to worry about Greenland’s melting glaciers anymore. I’d love for this to be true — but it isn’t. In fact, Greenland is losing ice faster than it used to 10 years ago. And that’s bad news for all of us.
A non-wonk guide to sea level rise
Sea level rise isn’t a problem for tomorrow. It is here today. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be complicated. Even the most basic understanding of sea level rise will help you and your community prepare for its impacts.