International: United States
US announces $3 billion pledge to green climate fund
4 Dec 2023
Vice President Kamala Harris announced COP28 that the US is pledging $3 billion to the Green Climate Fund — the world’s largest climate fund — created to help developing countries handle climate change.
How the US, oil industry plans to drastically cut methane emissions at the forefront of COP28
4 Dec 2023
The US government and the oil industry have announced plans to drastically reduce emissions of methane, one of the most dangerous GHGs, due to its heightened ability to raise global temperatures.
US expected to reach new record for fossil fuel production this year
1 Dec 2023
The year 2023 is already expected to be the hottest on record, following a record-hot summer. But despite this, the US is expected to reach record numbers in fossil fuel production for the year.
US moves to protect wolverines as climate change melts their mountain refuges
30 Nov 2023
The North American wolverine will receive long-delayed threatened species protections under a Biden administration proposal released in response to scientists warning that climate change will likely push them toward extinction.
US carbon emissions set to fall again, a key sign of progress
23 Nov 2023
A projected drop in US greenhouse gas emissions—one of the largest of the past decade—is still not enough to meet the country’s commitments under the Paris climate accord.
One solution to fight climate change? Fewer parking spaces.
20 Nov 2023
Less parking could pave the way for denser housing and more accessible public transportation.
New US climate report: land theft and colonisation amplify the climate crisis for Indigenous peoples
16 Nov 2023
The report concludes that Indigenous self-determination is a key climate solution — if the federal government can get behind it.
Defrosting US-China relationship offers tantalising hope for climate action
14 Nov 2023
Even though we now have the Paris agreement, cooperation between the world’s two biggest emitters, US and China, is still crucial.
‘Take it or leave it’: Acrimony flares amid tenuous agreement on climate aid
13 Nov 2023
The U.S. pushed for voluntary payments in a high-stakes negotiation over a global fund for climate disasters.
California startup to 'sponge' CO2 from atmosphere
3 Nov 2023
Scrubbing carbon dioxide from the air is imperative if humanity is to limit global warming, experts say, and a California startup says it can do just that, using limestone as a carbon-sucking sponge.
US pushes to ensure nuclear “is not forgotten” in COP renewables pledge
1 Nov 2023
The United States is working behind the scenes to ensure nuclear power is not excluded from an expected global pledge to boost renewables at the upcoming climate summit in Dubai.
How Hurricane Otis shocked forecasters in a "nightmare scenario"
30 Oct 2023
Hurricane Otis' extremely rapid intensification — so close to the Mexican coast — was one of the biggest, most high-stakes hurricane forecasting failures in years.
The climate crisis has a price — and it’s $391 million a day
25 Oct 2023
Damages from the global climate crisis have racked up costs amounting to $391 million per day over the past two decades, a report showed.
Carbon capture pipeline nixed after widespread opposition
24 Oct 2023
A company has abandoned plans to build a 1,300-mile pipeline across the US Midwest to collect and store carbon emissions from the corn ethanol industry following opposition from landowners.
To shut down the supply side of climate change, start here
20 Oct 2023
September was a scary month — or as one prominent climate scientist termed it, “gobsmackingly bananas.”
Climate change isn’t just about emissions. We’re ignoring a huge part of the fight.
17 Oct 2023
Last month, we heard yet again about the need to stop global warming at about 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre industrial levels.
How broken are corporate carbon pledges?
10 Oct 2023
Fortune 500 companies are responsible for nearly a third of all greenhouse gas emissions—and many of them would like you to think they’re doing their best to shrink that.
Coffee is in danger. Starbucks is working on solutions.
5 Oct 2023
Coffee is a finicky crop — arabica coffee, the most popular variety, in particular. And climate change poses a huge threat to the coffee business and to farmers.
Europe just launched the world’s first carbon tariff. Will the US follow suit?
4 Oct 2023
In the U.S., where climate policy has been highly politicized, the concept of a carbon tariff has recently emerged with rare bipartisan support.
New York floods: Basement rescues spark climate change concerns
4 Oct 2023
As flash floods inundated New York City, Mayor Eric Adams said: "If you're home, stay home." But for those living in below-ground apartments in basements and cellars, that was not an option.
Big European insurers ‘underwrite 30% of US coal despite net zero pledges’
3 Oct 2023
European insurers are underwriting almost a third of US coal production despite their net zero pledges, according to research.
Crucial for a clean energy economy, the aluminum industry’s carbon footprint is enormous
29 Sep 2023
A new report finds aluminum manufacturing worldwide emits more than a billion tons of carbon dioxide annually, as well as chemicals called perfluorocarbons that warm the planet for 50,000 years.
Researchers engineer marine bacteria to destroy plastics in seawater
28 Sep 2023
By combining key traits of two bacterial species, the team created a novel bug that can break down plastics in salty conditions—at room temperature.
Can ‘carbon offsets’ help to tackle climate change?
27 Sep 2023
Every day, people are invited to buy products and services with supposed climate benefits – whether this be “carbon-neutral flights”, “net-zero beef” or “carbon-negative coffee”.
Who’s to blame for the climate crisis? Journalist Amy Westervelt is on the case
26 Sep 2023
“I don't really think that you can separate the climate crisis from the power structure that we're dealing with," Amy Westervelt told EcoWatch.
Kerry and China envoy to co-chair first local climate summit
22 Sep 2023
The first local climate summit will take place at the U.N. climate meeting in Dubai later this year.
California sues major oil companies for ‘decades-long campaign of deception’
19 Sep 2023
California is suing five of the largest oil and gas companies in the world, alleging that they engaged in a “decades-long campaign of deception” about climate change.
Thousands march in New York to demand end to fossil fuels
18 Sep 2023
Helen Mancini remembers the last major climate march in New York City, when then-teenage activist Greta Thunberg spoke to a crowd of thousands, demanding world leaders take action on global warming.
Why did this climate scientist chain herself to a pipeline?
15 Sep 2023
Rose Abramoff is determined to stop fossil fuels from destroying a livable climate, no matter the personal cost.
US sets new record for billion-dollar climate disasters in single year
14 Sep 2023
The US has experienced 23 extreme weather events costing $1bn or more already this year, passing the previous record of 22 in 2020.
G20 countries agree to increase clean energy but no deal on phasing out fossil fuels
12 Sep 2023
Group of 20 leaders have agreed to triple renewable energy and try to increase the funds for climate change-related disasters but maintained the status quo with regards to phasing out carbon spewing coal.
Landmark UN study warns of widespread failure to meet climate goals
11 Sep 2023
A landmark United Nations assessment of global progress on cutting emissions shows countries are largely failing to meet their commitments, putting the planet on course for catastrophic global warming.
Four things to know about California’s wildfire smoke, climate change
11 Sep 2023
Wildfires and climate change are locked in a vicious circle: Fires worsen climate change, and climate change worsens fires.
Biden administration blocks oil and gas drilling in Alaska's arctic national wildlife refuge
7 Sep 2023
The US Interior Department canceled seven oil and gas leases in Alaska that were part of a sale held in the waning days of the Trump administration, arguing the sale was legally flawed.
'We're all Maui': Climate change tests emergency alert systems across US
28 Aug 2023
The US summer has tested how well prepared public safety officials and the emergency warning systems they oversee are for the changing climate.
How Hilary turned into a monster storm
23 Aug 2023
Mexico and the western US are reeling from record-shattering rainfall. Blame high ocean temperatures—and prepare for worse to come as the planet warms.
US Midwest is ground zero in the fight over carbon capture
23 Aug 2023
One after another, residents from across Iowa fired off their concerns at a meeting with federal and state representatives to discuss a technology that could help protect the climate — and reshape their backyards.
40% of US climate emissions attributed to richest households
22 Aug 2023
The wealthiest tenth of US households are the source of 40% of national greenhouse gas emissions, according to research published in the journal PLOS Climate.
A carbon tax on investment income could be more fair and make it less profitable to pollute
22 Aug 2023
About 10 years ago, a very thick book written by a French economist became a surprising bestseller.
California’s top methane emitter is a vast cattle feedlot
22 Aug 2023
A “kid gloves” approach to agricultural emissions, including burping cows, raises questions about an environmentally minded state’s commitment to combating climate change.
Oil giants fight climate deception suit at Hawaii supreme court
21 Aug 2023
Oil companies urged justices to dismiss a climate lawsuit they say falls outside of the scope of local law during oral arguments at the Hawaii Supreme Court.
Hawaii fires become deadliest in modern US history as ‘grim’ search for victims continues
16 Aug 2023
Hawaii governor warns of ‘fire hurricanes’ in age of climate change as questions raised about warning system.
Montana judge sides with youth in historic climate trial
15 Aug 2023
A state court said Montana is violating young people’s constitutional right to a clean environment by ignoring the climate effects of fossil fuels.
Can vacuums slow global warming? Biden administration bets $1.2 billion on it
14 Aug 2023
Texas and Louisiana will become a global testing ground for giant machines that suck carbon from the air.
Neo-Nazis are using climate disasters to recruit new members
14 Aug 2023
Experts have been sounding the alarm that the far-right are exploiting climate change and natural disasters.
Fast-moving Hawaii fires will take a heavy toll on the state’s environment
14 Aug 2023
The fast-moving wildfires that raked Maui this week took a heavy toll on humans and property, killing dozens of people and devastating the historic town of Lahaina.
Campaigner blasts climate-denying 'arsonists' as Maui fires kill at least 36
11 Aug 2023
The wildfires offer the latest evidence that President Joe Biden must declare a climate emergency, said one progressive economist.
Climate mitigation patent program boosts green tech financing
10 Aug 2023
The US Patent and Trademark Office’s newly expanded program aimed at accelerating patents for climate mitigation technology is critical to garnering the funding necessary to advance the clean energy transition, researchers say.
The climate wrecking ball striking food supply
9 Aug 2023
Extreme weather events and our warming planet are primed to strike commodities and the food supply like never before.
How many wheels should your next EV have?
8 Aug 2023
E-bikes are now preventing (a lot) more emissions than all the Teslas in the world.
‘Foolish’ CSIRO job cuts will mean Australia unable to provide climate projections to global reports, scientists warn
Thu 21 May 2026
Job cuts at the national science agency mean Australia will no longer be able to submit climate projections to form part of global reports and will have significantly reduced ability to forecast future damage to the country, leading researchers have warned.
At least 21 killed as heavy rains drench southern, central China
Thu 21 May 2026
Torrential rain continued across southern and central China on Tuesday with at least 21 people killed in widespread flooding that also closed schools and businesses, and disrupted transport and power supplies, authorities said.
EU keeps carbon border tax unchanged despite fertiliser price crisis
Thu 21 May 2026
Fertiliser producers argue that the EU's carbon pricing rules at the border protect the European industry from cheaper imports produced under weaker environmental rules. But farmers fear they are indirectly paying the bill through higher fertiliser costs.
The UK faces growing climate threats – where is the response to match?
Tue 19 May 2026
COMMENT: UK voters’ dissatisfaction with business as usual must be harnessed to address public concerns and build a country that is resilient to climate change impacts.
Natural gas to play key role in strategy to double Canada’s electricity grid by 2050
Mon 18 May 2026
A new national strategy will double the capacity of the country’s electricity grid by 2050, Prime Minister Mark Carney said as he announced the plan last week.
While the world hesitates, India must continue leading on climate
14 May 2026
India’s updated climate targets must translate into systems that secure growth, resilience, and autonomy.
The nation holding back the sea
Fri 22 May 2026
A Pacific island nation on the front line of the climate change threat is building land to try to hold back rising sea levels. But as the majority of Tuvalu’s population applies to relocate to Australia, a haunting question is being confronted: what happens to a country if the people have to leave?
‘Triple whammy of climate chaos’: Why Antarctica's sea ice collapse is no longer a mystery
11 May 2026
Scientists have finally identified the ‘triple whammy’ behind Antarctica’s dramatic collapse, shedding new light on the chain reaction that has pushed its sea ice to record lows.
Africa secures major clean energy deals as France deepens investment push
15 May 2026
French and African leaders have announced more than $11 billion in renewable energy investments across Africa, underscoring the continent’s growing importance in the global push for cleaner energy and industrial development.
Amazon deforestation at eight-year low, report shows
Wed 20 May 2026
Despite a drop in the size of deforested areas, the number of wildfires in the region increased by more than 30 percent.
UN backs historic climate crisis ruling, despite US attempts to stop resolution
Fri 22 May 2026
The UN has voted 141-8 to adopt a resolution backing a world court opinion that countries have a legal obligation to address climate change, with the US – which is the world’s biggest historical emitter – among the small group opposing it.
