Climate Change Coverage

Cooper administration releases another new climate report
Report lays out expected impacts from climate change and a road map for response.

COVID-19 could temporarily drop carbon emissions to their lowest since World War II
As predicted, carbon dioxide emissions have declined during the Covid-19 pandemic. But if past crises are any indication, the environmental gains may be short-lived.

After decades of devastation, a comeback for western NC forests
A long-term study in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park shows that the number of adult Fraser firs has increased over the last 30 years.

Coronavirus shutdowns could lead to unintended climate benefits
In countries that have been under strict lockdowns to limit the spread of coronavirus. there has been a noticeable drop in pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change could kill all of Earth's coral reefs by 2100, scientists warn
Climate change could destroy almost all of Earth's coral reef habitats by 2100, according to new research.

Bill Leslie: The winter that never was

Aging levees at risk for flooding, NC State research finds
New research out of North Carolina State University is showing how the United States' aging levee system could have hidden dangers inspectors may not be able to see.

NC State study finds levees are at risk with frequent flooding
New research out of North Carolina State University is showing how the United States' aging levee system could have hidden dangers inspectors may not be able to see.

Bezos launches $10 billion fund focusing on fight against climate change
The Bezos Earth Fund is here, a declared effort by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos who said Monday that he plans to spend $10 billion of his own fortune to help fight climate change.

Report warns sea levels are rapidly rising along America's coasts
Investigation findings were released by William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

AT&T, Appalachian State team up to examine climate change, community impacts
The Appalachian researchers will focus on assessing how socioeconomic disparities that affect rural communities contribute to climate vulnerability. The climate risk estimates produced by the team will better inform adaptation strategies, identify specific regional data needs and guide decision-making on disparities between risks in inland rural areas versus urban or coastal areas.

Photos of ‘king tides’ globally show risks of climate change
A network of volunteer photographers fans out around the globe during so-called king tides to capture how high the waterline gets and where the water goes. They then upload the images — many with geolocation data embedded — for use by scientists, policymakers and even city planners as they study and prepare for the effects of climate change.

Greta Thunberg receives Nobel Peace Prize nomination
The 17-year-old was nominated by two members of Sweden's Left Party, Jens Holm and Hakan Svenneling.

Injuries and fatalities will rise due to climate change, study says
Researchers analyzed U.S. fatalities from injuries over a 37-year period until 2017. The number of deaths were then associated with big temperature swings each month.

Earth clocks hottest decade on record
After looking at temperatures from the last 140 years, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found 2019 was the second hottest year on record and the 2010's were the hottest decade by far.

Big investment firm BlackRock to focus on sustainability deals
BlackRock, the massive asset manager in charge of $7 trillion, will ditch investments that it considers a sustainability risk, including thermal coal producers — part of an effort to put sustainability at the center of its approach to investing.

Industrial giant Siemens to allow new committee to stop projects for ‘sustainability’
Siemens is taking heat for sticking with a controversial coal mining project in fire-ravaged Australia. Its response? Give young people the power to veto future business on environmental grounds.

Sandbar Oyster Company promotes ecological balance in the face of climate change
Climate change has various effects on shorelines. It has caused water levels to rise and saltwater to move further into estuaries. However, Clammerhead and Lindquist developed a way to help recover and preserve North Carolina’s shorelines. Here’s how.

Science experiment: How carbon dioxide affects oceans
Astronomy Days at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences will explore Earth and ocean worlds on Jan. 25 and 26. Museum educator Chris Smith explains how carbon dioxide affects the world's oceans.