International: United States
A veteran adviser is taking over as top US climate diplomat
2 Feb 2024
John Podesta, a Democratic political strategist and energy expert, will succeed John Kerry at a crucial time for President Biden’s climate agenda.
What does Biden’s LNG ‘pause’ mean for global emissions?
1 Feb 2024
In a surprise move, US president Joe Biden has announced a “temporary pause” on liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal expansion.
New York’s first all-electric skyscraper doesn’t use a drop of fossil fuel
31 Jan 2024
The architects behind this 44-story tower explain how they designed it to run on electricity alone.
Chicago could be first major Midwestern city to ban gas in new construction
30 Jan 2024
Buildings are Chicago’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but efforts to decarbonize them are facing union opposition.
Electric vehicles use half the energy of gas-powered vehicles
30 Jan 2024
US residents are collectively burning about 8.9 million barrels of gasoline a day, or a little over one gallon each for every person in the country.
Biden administration reportedly pauses approval of ‘carbon mega bomb’ gas export hub
26 Jan 2024
The Biden administration will reportedly pause a decision on approving what would be one of the world’s largest gas export hubs, amid concern from climate experts that greenlighting the project would create a “carbon mega bomb”.
Carbon startups pin hopes on future regulation to boost their fortunes
26 Jan 2024
Carbon credits startup, Ceezer, is part of the new wave of tech-driven offsetting and/or removal platforms trying to bring transparency and cohesion to a sector that has been rocked by charges of “green-washing”.
Extreme cold still happens in a warming world – in fact climate instability may be disrupting the polar vortex
23 Jan 2024
Extremely cold Arctic air and severe winter weather swept southward into much of the US in mid-January, breaking daily low temperature records from Montana to Texas.
Americans abandoning neighbourhoods due to rising flood risk
21 Dec 2023
Rising risk of floods is hollowing out counties across the United States — creating abandoned pockets in the hearts of cities.
Plan to stash planet-heating carbon dioxide under U.S. national forests alarms critics
19 Dec 2023
Around 140 groups have called for an extension of public comment period over U.S. Forest Service proposal amid questions about safety and impact.
This start-up hopes to use old tyres to power electric cars
18 Dec 2023
According to a report from the Federal Highway Administration, in the United States alone, around 280 million used tires are tossed away each year, with only 30 million of those getting recycled, retreaded, or reused.
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.
“Dirty and expensive:” City of Sydney bans gas as it votes to electrify all new big buildings
Thu 6 Nov 2025
The City of Sydney has followed the example of the ACT and Victoria governments and voted unanimously to require all newly built residential buildings, medium to large commercial buildings, hotels, and serviced apartment buildings, to be all-electric.
Why climate change now threatens China’s future
Tue 4 Nov 2025
Extreme weather is hurting its economy and worrying its leaders.
EU ministers agree to 90% emissions reduction target
Today 11:45am
European environment ministers have reached an agreement on a contentious plan to cut the bloc's greenhouse gas emissions but with caveats.
How climate change worsens heatwaves, droughts, wildfires and floods
Thu 6 Nov 2025
Many extreme weather events are becoming more common and more intense around the world, fuelled by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels.
Canada could eliminate oil and gas emissions cap, budget plan says
Thu 6 Nov 2025
Canada could scrap a cap on oil and gas emissions in favor of other measures like strengthened industrial carbon pricing and the deployment of carbon capture and storage technology, the government said in a budget plan unveiled on Tuesday.
From mapping high-risk areas to building ‘sponge cities’: How Vietnam is adapting to climate extremes
Thu 6 Nov 2025
Vietnam is rethinking how it copes with floods after a year of relentless storms has collapsed hillsides and turned streets into rivers.
Mystery heatwave warms Pacific Ocean to new record
21 Oct 2025
The waters of the north Pacific have had their warmest summer on record, according to BBC analysis of a mysterious marine heatwave that has confounded climate scientists.
Scientists discovered something alarming seeping out from beneath the ocean around Antarctica
13 Oct 2025
Planet-heating methane is escaping from cracks in the Antarctic seabed as the region warms, with new seeps being discovered at an “astonishing rate".
Nigerian billionaire plans expansion of Africa’s biggest oil refinery
31 Oct 2025
The billionaire owner of Africa’s largest refinery plans to expand its capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day to meet growing fuel needs in the continent and beyond.
Brazil’s Lula puts forward new vision for protecting the Amazon rainforest
Today 11:45am
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva put forward his vision for how the Amazon rainforest should be protected, a future that didn’t depend on donations from wealthy nations and large philanthropies but instead included a major fund that paid countries to keep forests standing.
UN chief scolds nations for failing climate goals ahead of COP30 summit
Today 11:45am
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres tore into nations for their failure to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, as Brazil hosted world leaders for a summit ahead of the COP30 climate conference in the rainforest city of Belem.
