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Yale Environment 360
For the First Time in a Century, the Atlantic May See No Hurricanes
August and September passed without a single Atlantic hurricane, thanks in part to a powerful El Niño. Forecasters are now raising the prospect that the season could conclude with zero Atlantic hurricanes.
When Bolsonaro Tweeted, Amazon Deforestation Surged
As president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro not only weakened environmental regulations and gutted agencies charged with protecting the Amazon, he also railed against conservation. An analysis of his tweets and those of his ministers finds a link between their rhetoric and the acres of forest lost.
Short on Land, Japan Is Building Solar Farms on Old Golf Courses
Mountainous, densely populated Japan has little land available for large solar farms, so developers are erecting arrays on many of the now disused golf courses that proliferated during the country's 1980s economic boom.
Alaska's ‘Rusting’ Waters More Acidic Than Mining Wastewater
As the Arctic warms and tundra thaws, minerals long trapped in frozen soil are leaching into rivers, turning them orange and acidic. A study from northern Alaska found “rusting” waters to be more metallic and acidic than drainage from metal mines.
This Map Shows Where Warming Has Accelerated
Some parts of the globe are not just heating up, but heating up faster than they were just a few decades ago. A new analysis reveals where warming has gained pace.
The Solar Boom in Developing Nations: Fast, Chaotic, and Unequal
Soaring energy costs are driving a solar rush in developing countries, but as households unplug from the grid, those who remain face higher electricity bills. If governments fail to manage the buildout, the growth of solar could destabilize power systems and deepen economic inequality.
To Deter Seals, Tasmanian Salmon Farmers Have Set Off 1,800 Bombs This Year
In the first half of this year, salmon farmers on the Australian island of Tasmania detonated nearly 1,800 underwater explosives to scare away fur seals intent on nabbing fish, government figures show.
In India, a Surge of Solar Is Keeping Coal Power in Check
India, a country of nearly 1.5 billion people, has long relied on coal to power its growing economy. But over the last two years, it has seen a remarkable shift: The rapid buildout of renewable energy has halted the growth of coal.
Microplastics in Soil a ‘Trojan Horse’ for Toxins
Microplastics act like a “Trojan horse,” delivering pollutants, pesticides, and bacteria through the soil, a five-year multinational research project has found.
Why Germany Is Building an Ark for U.S. Climate Data
As researchers around the world begin work on the next U.N. climate assessment, fears are growing that the Trump administration could meddle with critical U.S. climate data. In response, scientists are preparing to transfer vast troves of that data to repositories in Germany.
At Least 124 Environmental Defenders Killed Worldwide Last Year
At least 124 people were murdered last year for defending their forests, farms, or waterways from destruction or degradation, according to a stark new report. Its authors say that deep cuts to foreign aid by wealthy nations have weakened human rights groups that support environmental defenders.
From Indigenous Loss, a Potent Legal Argument on Climate
Human rights lawyer Julian Aguon explores how warming threatens not only the survival of small island nations but also the traditions of their Indigenous peoples. He is citing these injuries in legal actions, including in a major victory at the International Court of Justice last year.
Iceland, One of Three Countries That Still Hunts Whales, Considers Ban
Iceland is one of just three countries, along with Norway and Japan, that still allows commercial whaling in its waters, but that may be about to change. The Icelandic government will put forward a bill in February that could ban the practice.
The Breakdown of Natural Systems Could Intensify Warming by 30 Percent
As the planet heats up, tundras are thawing, wetlands are fermenting, and forests are succumbing to larger and more frequent wildfires. The breakdown of these natural systems is unleashing huge volumes of emissions, further intensifying warming from the burning of fossil fuels. According to new research, such feedback loops could amplify human-driven warming by 20 to 30 percent.
Sargassum Superbloom: Seaweed Scourge or Ecological Boon?
Stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico, a massive bloom of sargassum seaweed is swamping beaches and killing coastal wildlife. But scientists have discovered the floating algae also shelters a vast array of ocean creatures, and some are now calling for its protection.
Chinese Industry Is Starting to Wean Off Fossil Fuels
By several measures, Chinese industry is becoming less dependent on fossil fuels, according to a new analysis.
Nearly Half of Farmers Globally Poisoned by Pesticides Each Year
Almost half of the world’s farmers are poisoned by pesticides every single year, a study has found.
Satellite Images of Penguin Droppings Reveal Impact of Antarctic Warming
Penguin colonies are so large that their masses of excrement can be seen from space, offering scientists a useful means of studying the Antarctic birds. An analysis of 30 years of satellite images of penguin guano shows how the birds' diets are shifting in response to warming.
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