Climate in crisis: Everything you need to know about the current climate change

A Durham business fights climate change with soap

Plastic consumption skyrocketing. People go through 122 pounds a year, but barely recycle any. What's the impact? Liz McLaughlin investigates.

Durham business fights climate change with soap

Plastic containers that hold soap, cleaners, and other household products require energy and create greenhouse gases to produce and dispose of. Now, one Durham business is offering an alternative.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Report: Climate change will make you poorer

Record-breaking heat waves, severe floods and acute wildfires, exacerbated by climate change, carry a colossal price tag: an approximately 19% reduction in global income over just the next 26 years, a new study published Wednesday found.

Climate change will make you poorer, according to a new report

The United States, a historically large polluter, will take a smaller economic hit than some neighboring countries, according to the study.

By Samantha Delouya, CNN

Free climate anxiety workshop at NC State on Wednesday

Recent studies show climate anxiety is on the rise, but a free workshop at NC State is aiming to help people with those feelings.

Free climate anxiety workshop at NC State

A free workshop at NC State aims to help the public cope with distressing feelings about climate change. Recent studies show climate anxiety is on the rise, especially among young people.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

UN says NC water pollution violates human rights

The United Nations declaration specifically calls out Chemours and parent company DuPont for contaminating drinking water with toxic chemicals called PFAS disregarding the rights and wellbeing of downstream residents.

New EPA rule to impact three NC chemical plants

More than 200 chemical plants nationwide will be required to reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer under a new rule issued Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Agency.

New EPA rule says 218 US chemical plants must reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than 200 chemical plants nationwide will be required to reduce toxic emissions that are likely to cause cancer under a new rule issued Tuesday by the Environmental Protection Agency. The rule advances President Joe Biden's commitment to environmental justice by delivering critical health protections for communities burdened by industrial pollution from ethylene oxide, chloroprene and other dangerous chemicals, officials said.

By Matthew Daly, Associated Press and Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Are Pervasive in Water Worldwide, Study Finds

They're in makeup, dental floss and menstrual products. They're in nonstick pans and takeout food wrappers. Same with rain jackets and firefighting equipment, as well as pesticides and artificial turf on sports fields.

Delger Erdenesanaa, New York Times

A Breakthrough in Plastic Recycling Is Coming Up Short

By 2025, Nestle promises not to use any plastic in its products that isn’t recyclable. By that same year, L’Oreal says all of its packaging will be “refillable, reusable, recyclable or compostable.”

Hiroko Tabuchi, New York Times

Mosquito season expanding in NC

Researchers say climate change is making Raleigh more hospitable to mosquitoes, increasing the risk of the insects spreading diseases.

Mosquito season expanding in Raleigh, posing health risks from disease transmission

Researchers say climate change is making Raleigh more hospitable to mosquitoes, increasing the risk of the insects spreading diseases.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

EPA sets strict emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks and buses in bid to fight climate change

The new standards will especially benefit an estimated 72 million people in the United States who live near freight routes used by trucks and other heavy vehicles and bear a disproportionate burden of dangerous air pollution, the agency said.

North Carolina surpasses electric vehicle goal two years ahead of schedule

The state aims to boost infrastructure to support a goal of 1.25 million EVs on the road by 2030.

NC hits electric vehicle registration goal two years early with more than 80,000 on the road

Governor Roy Cooper's office announced today that the state surpassed 80,000 electric vehicle registrations in November, two years ahead of the 2025 goal.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

High surf in Outer Banks exposes debris, leeching contaminants into sand

A stretch of beach in Cape Hatteras is closed due to petroleum contamination suspected to be from Cold War-era Navy infrastructure.

What does "net-zero" really mean for climate goals?

The United States and North Carolina have goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reach "net zero" by 2050. But what does "net zero" really mean?

What does "net-zero" really mean for climate goals?

The United States and North Carolina have goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reach "net zero" by 2050. But what does "net zero" really mean?

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Planting, planning can help NC get to 'net zero' emissions

The United States and North Carolina have goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions and reach "net zero" by 2050. Here's what that really means.

EPA relaxes emissions standards to ensure longevity of rules

EPA Administrator Michael Regan spoke about new emissions standards at the UNC Cleantech Summit.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Allergy season increased by 31 days in Triangle since the 1970s, according to data

A new analysis shows the allergy season is getting longer and more intense thanks in part to climate change.

Data: Allergy season now a month longer in Triangle due in part to climate change

Climate change is making pollen season longer and more intense, worsening health effects for millions of Americans with seasonal allergies and asthma - including children.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

MICHAEL SCHWALBE: N.C. needs a governor who understands science

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 -- Being scientifically literate, in the role of a state leader, means understanding several basic things: how scientific knowledge can be brought to bear on solving problems of public policy; the importance of scientific research for promoting a thriving economy; the difference between honest scientific disagreements and partisan attacks on science; and the evidence-dependent processes by which scientific consensus is achieved.

Surge in power use -- for EVs, data centers, more -- threatens U.S. climate goals

Demand for electricity, which has stayed largely flat for two decades, has begun to surge.