El Niño is strengthening across the tropical Pacific, and its effects could reach far beyond the region. Sea temperatures in key areas are now more than 1°C above average, while NOAA’s Niño-3.4 index has reached about +1.2°C. NOAA expects El Niño to intensify through late 2026, with a 97% chance it will continue into early […]
A Strong El Niño Is Forecast and Global Weather Could Feel the Impact Read More »
After Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in September 2024, many mountain wetlands were buried under sediment, debris, and fallen trees. These fragile habitats are home to the bog turtle, the smallest turtle in the United States. The storm added even more pressure to a species already threatened by habitat loss, illegal collection, invasive plants,
America’s Smallest Turtle Is Fighting for Survival After Hurricane Helene Read More »
These endangered giraffes are getting a fresh start, showing what conservation can achieve when action comes before it is too late. Ugandan wildlife officials are moving 12 critically endangered Nubian giraffes from Murchison Falls National Park to Ajai Wildlife Reserve as oil drilling, machinery, and other human activity expand near their habitat. The relocation offers
Endangered Nubian Giraffes Get a Fresh Start in Uganda’s Ajai Wildlife Reserve Read More »
Watching a rocket rise can make me hopeful about the future. Space exploration drives discovery, communication, security, and new technology. But progress should not turn the ocean into an industrial zone. Whales, sea turtles, seabirds, fish, and coastal communities all depend on these waters. The United States is now considering offshore areas for rocket launches,
How Offshore Rocket Launches Could Affect Whales, Sea Turtles, and Coastal Ecosystems? Read More »
Far from major cities, factories, and crowded coastlines, Midway Atoll appears to be protected from the waste created by modern life. It sits in the central North Pacific, surrounded by open ocean and used as a nesting ground by one of the world’s largest colonies of Laysan albatrosses. Yet every year, plastic bottle caps, cigarette
How Ocean Plastic Is Turning Midway’s Albatross Nests Into Death Traps Read More »
Extreme heat is changing the way I think about cooling. An air conditioner may seem like a basic household appliance, but during a dangerous heatwave, it can become essential protection. Cooling also keeps food fresh, protects medicines and vaccines, and helps people work and study safely. The difficult part is that the world needs more
The Hidden Climate Cost of Staying Cool Read More »
