The land below many U.S. cities is sinking, including New Orleans, New York City, Miami and south San Francisco. This phenomenon, known as land subsidence, can severely affect the integrity of buildings and infrastructure. When coupled with a sea-level rise, it can greatly increase the incidence of flooding. Problems associated with land subsidence can cost … Read more
Right now, generative artificial intelligence is impossible to ignore online. An AI-generated summary may randomly appear at the top of the results whenever you do a Google search. Or you might be prompted to try Meta’s AI tool while browsing Facebook. And that ever-present sparkle emoji continues to haunt my dreams. This rush to add … Read more
Next to water, concrete is the most commonly used material on earth. But the traditional way to create its prime ingredient, cement, is not kind to the planet. The global cement production industry accounts for about 8% of carbon emissions annually. It’s usually made by heating limestone, a carbonate rock, using fossil fuel-fired kilns. That’s … Read more
Brad Reinhart, Senior Hurricane Specialist at the National Hurricane Center, works on tracking Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 season, at the National Hurricane Center on July 01, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images News | Getty Images Hurricane Beryl has been declared the strongest-ever hurricane in July, breaking the … Read more
An insurance crisis that has sent premiums skyrocketing and caused carriers to flee coastal states like Florida and California is spreading, and it is fundamentally changing the real estate market in states across the country. “Not only is the cost higher than people anticipated, but just the inability to secure insurance at all makes deals fall through … Read more
Coal-fired power plants in Mariveles, Bataan, the Philippines, on June 6, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Philippines’ dependency on coal-fired power surged 62% last year, overtaking China, Indonesia and Poland, according to London-based energy think-tank Ember. The Philippines was also the most coal-dependent country in Southeast Asia in 2023, as adoption of … Read more
A view of the Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, on April 16, 2024. Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu | Getty Images Google‘s emissions surged nearly 50% since 2019, the company said Tuesday in its 2024 environmental report, marking a notable setback in its goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030. Google’s emissions also increased 13% … Read more
Some states, municipalities and private-sector companies are pushing to make composting as commonplace as recycling. But it’s a long-haul effort. Composting has many benefits for the environment. It keeps food out of landfills, leading national food chains including Chipotle to expand its use at restaurants, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Composted materials improve soil health, … Read more
Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to strengthen and become a “dangerous major hurricane” by Monday, bringing high winds and strong rain to the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center said on Saturday. The storm, which formed on Friday, is forecast to hit the Windward Islands late Sunday. The NHC said the storm’s impact could be “destructive,” … Read more
Shoppers are seen at the parking lot of a Tractor Supply Co. store near Bloomsburg. Paul Weaver | SOPA Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Tractor Supply, a retail chain that sells home improvement equipment, livestock and agricultural supplies for farmers and pet owners, is eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion roles; withdrawing carbon emission goals; … Read more
