As renewable energy becomes cheaper than hydropower and the presence of dams worsens the plight of salmon, pressure is mounting in the Pacific Northwest to take down four key dams on the lower Snake River that critics say have outlived their usefulness.
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Analysis
Open for Business: The Trump Revolution on America’s Public Lands
The Trump administration is systematically remaking U.S. policies toward public lands, moving aggressively to open protected areas for development – from the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, to the red rock country of Utah, to the nation’s largest national forest in Alaska.
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Biodiversity
Turkey’s Dam-Building Spree Continues, At Steep Ecological Cost
Nearly 90 miles of the historic Tigris River will soon be turned into a vast reservoir as Turkey completes the massive Ilisu Dam. While the government touts the project as a source of carbon-free electricity, it will displace 80,000 people and threaten a host of species.
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Biodiversity
In Israel, Questions Are Raised about a Forest that Rises from the Desert
Israel’s Yatir Forest has been hailed as a green refuge in the Negev that is helping fight climate change. But some Israeli ecologists now contend that it has wiped out important desert ecosystems and shows that forestation projects are not always an unalloyed environmental good.
Energy
Why China’s Renewable Energy Transition Is Losing Momentum
Growth of wind and solar in China is slowing as government funding for green energy falters and upgrades to the transmission infrastructure lag. With China’s CO2 emissions again on the rise, experts worry the world’s largest emitter may fall short of key climate goals.
E360 Digest
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Lawmakers’ Political Divide Over Climate Change Has Grown in the Trump Era
Donald Trump’s presidency has ushered in an era of unprecedented polarization between Republican and Democrat lawmakers when it comes to voting on measures to tackle the climate crisis, while the fossil fuel industry now almost entirely favors Republicans in campaign contributions. More about Lawmakers’ Political Divide Over Climate Change Has Grown in the Trump Era →
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Climate Change Threatens Hundreds of North American Bird Species: “It’s a Bird Emergency”
Two-thirds of bird species in North America are at risk of extinction if global temperatures continue to rise, according to a new report from scientists at the Audubon Society. A total of 389 species, out of 604 studied, could experience declines in their populations as a result of warmer temperatures, higher seas, loss of habitat, and extreme weather, all driven by climate change. More about Climate Change Threatens Hundreds of North American Bird Species: “It’s a Bird Emergency” →
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As Solar and Wind Become Cheaper, Japan Faces Billions in Stranded Coal Assets
The decreasing costs of solar and wind energy could generate $71 billion in stranded coal assets in Japan by 2025, according to a new report from the Carbon Tracker Initiative, a financial think tank, and the University of Tokyo. Offshore wind power will be cheaper than coal in Japan by 2022, new solar cheaper by 2023, and onshore wind less expensive by 2025. More about As Solar and Wind Become Cheaper, Japan Faces Billions in Stranded Coal Assets →
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In an e360 interview, Mary Nichols, the long-time chair of the California Air Resources Board, talks about California’s continued efforts to stop the Trump administration’s rollback of stricter fuel efficiency standards, and why the auto industry is largely on its side.
Climate
Could Massive Storm Surge Barriers End the Hudson River’s Revival?
As threats from major storms increase, authorities are proposing surge barriers to protect New York Harbor. Some ecologists are concerned these giant barriers could have serious consequences for the Hudson, now hailed for its much-heralded recovery, and for other area waters.
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Climate
As the Monsoon and Climate Shift, India Faces Worsening Floods
Extreme precipitation events are on the rise in India, driven by warming temperatures and changes in the monsoon. The resulting floods are being exacerbated by unplanned urban growth and environmental degradation, driving millions from their homes and causing widespread damage.
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Solutions
Can We Turn Down the Temperature on Urban Heat Islands?
Using citizen science volunteers, researchers are more accurately measuring temperature differences between city hot spots and their cooler surroundings. With heat waves intensifying, the results are now being used to develop a range of innovative urban planning strategies.
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Cities
An Increasingly Urbanized Latin America Turns to Electric Buses
From Colombia to Argentina, major cities in Latin America are starting to adopt electric bus fleets. In a region with the highest use of buses per person globally, officials believe the transition will help meet climate targets, cut fuel costs, and improve air quality.
2019 Yale Environment 360 Video Contest
The winners of our annual contest honoring the best short environmental films.
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E360 Video Contest Winner
Seldom Seen: A Poignant Look Back at Glen Canyon Before the Dam
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E360 Video Contest Winner — Second Place
In Ecuador, One Man’s Mission to Restore a Piece of the Rainforest
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E360 Video Contest Winner — Third Place
In Drought-Prone India, a Hard-Pressed Village Struggles to Survive