Biodiversity

As Jaguars Recover, Will the Border Wall Block Their U.S. Return?

Decades of conservation efforts in Central and South America are starting to pay off, with increased protections for jaguars and the corridors that connect them. But the construction of the border wall is creating a roadblock to the big cat’s return to the U.S. Southwest.

By Jim Robbins

WATER

An E.U. Plan to Slash Micropollutants in Wastewater Is Under Attack

Earlier this year, a European Union directive mandated advanced treatment of micropollutants in wastewater, with the cost to be borne by polluters. But the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, which are responsible for most of those contaminants, are now pushing back.

By Christian Schwägerl
INTERVIEW

This Data Scientist Sees Progress in the Climate Change Fight

Countries are falling short on reducing emissions, but British data scientist Hannah Ritchie looks at the numbers and sees the world making real gains on climate change. In an interview, she talks about the unheralded progress she sees in the global shift to clean energy.

By Jeremy Deaton
Climate

As Floods Worsen, Pakistan Is the Epicenter of Climate Change

This season’s intense monsoon rains caused flooding that killed hundreds and displaced millions of people in Pakistan — an increasingly frequent occurrence. Scientists who study extreme weather warn that Pakistan is more vulnerable to climate change than any other nation.

By Fred Pearce

Climate

Heat Stress Is a Major Driver of India’s Kidney Disease Epidemic

Cases of chronic kidney disease unrelated to pre-existing conditions are on the rise in India and other tropical nations. As climate change raises temperatures and humidity, the disease is increasingly prevalent among outdoor laborers without access to rest, shade, or hydration.

By Kanika Gupta

E360 Digest

Digest Archive →

When Pollution Spikes in Southeast Asia, Rainfall Shifts from Land to Sea

New research finds that heavy pollution in Southeast Asia is suppressing rainfall over land while intensifying it over the ocean. More about When Pollution Spikes in Southeast Asia, Rainfall Shifts from Land to Sea →
In Gaza, 95 Percent of Farmland Is in Ruins

As a tenuous ceasefire takes hold in the Gaza Strip, an analysis of satellite imagery reveals 95 percent of cropland has been damaged in the course of the war. More about In Gaza, 95 Percent of Farmland Is in Ruins →
The World Is Failing to Slow the Loss of Its Forests

Despite an international pledge to halt the destruction of forests by the end of this decade, the world continues to lose around 20 million acres a year, an area roughly the size of Ireland. That is the finding of a new report warning that global forests "remain in crisis." More about The World Is Failing to Slow the Loss of Its Forests →

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Damaged homes on Sanibel Island, Florida, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, September 2022.

Climate

How Climate Risks Are Putting Home Insurance Out of Reach

After years underestimating the risks posed by climate-fueled disasters, the U.S. home insurance industry is in turmoil. In vulnerable areas, rising insurance costs are upending housing markets and communities, as homeowners scramble to try to find insurance they can afford.

By Gilbert M. Gaul

Energy

It’s a ‘Golden Age’ for U.S. LNG Industry, But Climate Risks Loom

Under the Trump administration’s policies, new liquefied natural gas terminals are moving ahead, with exports of LNG expected to double by 2028. But as the U.S. pressures trade partners to buy more fossil fuels, analysts warn of the climate and economic risks of an LNG boom.

By Jonathan Mingle
INTERVIEW

Inside the Plastics Industry Playbook: Delay, Deny, and Distract

In an interview with e360, Saabira Chaudhuri, author of a new book on the history of the plastics industry, discusses how petrochemical companies worldwide have molded consumers to embrace convenience and disposability — no matter the environmental and public health costs.
Biodiversity

Freeing Captive Bears from Armenia’s Backyards and Basements

Ahead of a major biodiversity summit set for Armenia, the country has pledged to crack down on the practice of keeping wild bears in captivity. Rescuers are removing Syrian brown bears from hellish conditions in private homes and businesses and bringing them to a rehab center.

By Lori Youmshajekian