By Kate Yoder, Grist Talking about climate change may be politically radioactive, but adjusting to its effects is no longer optional. Joe Raedle / Getty Images Last May, as blistering-hot weather broke records across South Florida and smoke from distant wildfires in Mexico turned the sky hazy, Ron DeSantis, Florida’s Republican governor, signed legislation erasing …
‘The tigers are hungry’: endangered but deadly, the world’s largest big cat is sowing fear in Siberia’s villages
By Patrick Greenfield, The Guardian The spread of African swine flu among the wild boars the animals eat has led to the deadliest winter for attacks on people in the Russian region for decades – and a spike in tiger killings. Amur tigers are leaving the forest in larger numbers …
Why one of the world’s greenest countries is betting its future on oil
By Jake Bittle, Grist The rainforest nation of Suriname says it can build an oil industry without harming the planet. Is it climate pragmatism — or wishful thinking? A fisherman works on a boat in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. The tiny South American country is preparing for an inflow …
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health
By Phoebe Weston, The Guardian Jade Maksimainen (front) and Aurora Nikula play outside at the Humpula daycare centre in Lahti, Finland. Photograph: Liisa Takala/The Guardian In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss – and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity …
Toxic wastewater from oil fields keeps pouring out of the ground. Oklahoma regulators failed to stop it.
By Nick Bowlin, Grist Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drinking water. During his time at Oklahoma’s oil and gas regulator, Danny Ray worked to contain pollution …
Evacuating Remote Alaska Was Hard. Rebuilding Will Be Even Harder.
By Kiley Price, Inside Climate News Villages in Western Alaska were hit by the remnants of a violent typhoon last week. Many survivors are unlikely to return home for more than a year. Following catastrophic flooding in October, Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III aircrew, assigned to the 176th …
Don’t even think about decking! How to create a nature-friendly low-maintenance garden
By Emine Saner, The Guardian Stop mowing the lawn, and it will become much more biodiverse – and attractive. Photograph: Jean Williamson/Alamy Garden getting you down? Tempted to just pave or concrete over the whole thing and put your feet up? There are more enjoyable and eco-friendly alternatives, from miniature meadows …
This Patagonian village has glacier-fed rivers and majestic scenery. The only problem? Sewage
By Soledad Dominguez, The Guardian The population of El Chaltén dramatically increases in high season when tourists arrive to enjoy the spectacular scenery and Patagonia’s hiking trails. Photograph: Natali Ormazabal El Chaltén is a paradise for hikers. But the seasonal influx of tourists stretches the sanitation infrastructure to breaking point – …
Detroit Is the Nation’s Most Challenging City for People with Asthma, a New Report Suggests
By K.R. Callaway, Inside Climate News Already plagued by industrial pollution and health care access issues, experts say climate change is making things even more difficult for people with asthma in Detroit. An aerial view of southwest Detroit featuring a Marathon petroleum refinery. Credit: Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty …
The Santa Claus effect: how expanding tourism ate into Lapland’s green space
By Pamela Duncan, Raphaëlle Aubert, Léopold Salzenstein, Zeynep Sentek, Lotta Närhi, Hanna Nikkanen and Anna Ruohonen, The Guardian The number of visitors to the region has risen 160% in 30 years as concerns grow for its fragile ecosystem and indigenous practices. In popular ski resorts like Saariselkä, expanding tourism has …