Climate in Crisis

Rare earth mineral supply is sufficient to power switch to renewable energy, study says

The world has enough rare earth minerals and other critical raw materials to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy to produce electricity and limit global warming, according to a new study that counters concerns about the supply of such minerals.

Outer Banks homes at risk, funds to build back beaches in Rodanthe run out

Dare County leaders said communities are at risk from coastal erosion, but state law is holding them back from finding potential solutions.

Cumberland County schools still using bottled water

Students at Gray's Creek Elementary and Alderman Road Elementary schools in Cumberland County have been drinking bottled water for three years due to safety concerns after thousands of wells in the area were tainted with "forever chemicals" from a Chemours plant.

'It's reaching a crisis point': Outer Banks leaders say they're out of funding to save threatened beach communities

Dare County leaders said communities are at risk from coastal erosion, but state law is holding them back from finding potential solutions.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

Lenovo aims to hit net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

Lenovo, the world's top PC manufacturer, says it aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and says it has scientific support to validate progress.

Study finds toxic chemicals in freshwater fish eaten in NC

Exposure to 'forever chemicals' from eating just one serving of freshwater fish is equivalent to drinking contaminated water for an entire month, according to an analysis of data from the Environmental Protection Agency.

"This is heartbreaking": Study finds dangerous chemicals in freshwater fish

Exposure to 'forever chemicals' from eating just one serving of freshwater fish is equivalent to drinking contaminated water for an entire month, according to an analysis of data from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Red Hat unveils 'ambition' for net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions

Rad Hat on Wednesday spelled out its "ambition" for achieving net-zero operational greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. Here are the details.

Lighting upgrades in NC schools saves hundreds of thousands annually

Sixty-nine schools across the state received replacement high-efficiency lights thanks to funding from the DEQ and NC Greenpower. The upgrades will save an estimated $250,000 each year.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Climate change conundrum: Ants aren’t adjusting behaviors as temperatures rise

Researchers at North Carolina State University found that ants did not adjust their behavior in response to warming temperatures and persisted in sub-optimal microhabitats even when optimal ones were present. The finding suggests ants may not be able to adjust their behavior in response to warming ecosystems.  

Report: NC at 'forefront' of clean energy transformation which could mean more jobs, investment

A new report on economic development argues that NC is likely to continue to attract major investment, due to an expanding clean energy sector across the state.

NC Water and Equity Summit focuses on serving underserved communities

North Carolina has earmarked more than 3 billion dollars to upgrade water infrastructure in the state, but Shadi Eskaf, director of the DEQ Division of Water Infrastructure, says there are far more applications than grants available.

Water woes: Underserved communities in North Carolina struggle to upgrade infrastructure

North Carolina has earmarked more than 3 billion dollars to upgrade water infrastructure in the state, but Shadi Eskaf, director of the DEQ Division of Water Infrastructure, says there are far more applications than grants available.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

$2.5B investment + 2,500 jobs head to Georgia in solar plant deals

A South Korean solar panel maker will invest more than $2.5 billion to build factories in Georgia, hiring 2,500 new employees and making components usually manufactured outside the United States, the company announced Wednesday.

How to manage water as Triangle grows? Buffers are no magic bullet, NCSU study warns

North Carolina State University researchers behind a recent study warn that so-called “riparian buffers” of trees and other growth would not be a magic bullet for managing water as development increases and the climate grows warmer and wetter.

Tree diversity key to helping slow climate change

North Carolina communities are anticipating an influx of federal funds to plant more trees in urban areas. WRAL News has more on why cities need more trees and more diversity due to climate change

Experts say trees need more diversity

Experts say trees need more diversity

New urban landscapes need to survive climate changes decades away

As communities prepare to receive $1.5 billion in federal funding to support urban forestry, experts say it's important to plant diverse and resilient trees to avoid mass mortality events from climate change.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

Experts say trees need more diversity

North Carolina communities are anticipating an influx of federal funds to plant more trees in urban areas. WRAL climate reporter Liz McLaughlin reports on how not only does the state need more trees, but more tree diversity.

The end of free returns could be good for the environment

Returns have been growing year over year, creating millions of pounds of waste and needless emissions from shipping. Major retailers are starting to charge for returns, which could have a positive impact on the environment.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Climate change making it more expensive to insure homes, experts say

As climate change threatens the U.S. with more natural disasters, it's becoming increasingly costly for Americans to insure their homes, experts say.

Climate change is making some homes too costly to insure

As climate change threatens the U.S. with more natural disasters, it's becoming increasingly costly for Americans to insure their homes, experts say.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Former white house chef on climate change

Former White House chef Sam Kass has a message: food and agriculture is the "frontlines" of climate change. And scientists agree, how we farm and treat the land has a direct impact on how much carbon it can remove from the air.

Water shutoffs report: Black communities more likely to lack access to clean water in America

More than 2 million Americans are living without access to clean water. A new report from the U.S. Water Alliance analyzed water shutoffs in eight cities and found that shutoffs are four times longer in majority-black communities.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change reporter

Water shutoffs report: Pollution driving up water costs

More than 2 million Americans are living without access to clean water. A new report from the U.S. Water Alliance analyzed water shutoffs in eight cities and found that shutoffs are four times longer in majority-black communities.