Clare County Cleaver

Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage in Florida in 2022, estimated at over $112 billion. This scene was once a shopping center.

If FEMA didn’t exist, could states handle the disaster response alone?

FEMA pools national resources to help states quickly manage disasters. Without that federal support, each state would be left to build its own expensive response capabilities.

Curious kids ask questions

Will we eventually have to send our trash into space if we run out of room on Earth?

Humans generate a lot of trash, but there are cheaper and safer ways to handle it than loading it on rockets.

Why does the Earth spin?

An astronomer takes us on a tour of the universe to learn about the birth of stars and planets and how they get their spin.

Why do we use gasoline for small vehicles and diesel fuel for big vehicles?

Both gasoline and diesel fuel are refined from crude oil, but they are good for different things and can’t be used interchangeably.

Thinking green

Chocolate prices spiked amid very dry conditions in Africa.

Why the price of your favorite chocolate will continue to rise

Aridity is silently spreading through many of the world’s cocoa-producing regions. There are steps we can take to save them.

NOAA’s vast public weather data powers the local forecasts on your phone and TV – a private company alone couldn’t match it

A forecaster monitors incoming data for Hurricane Irma in 2017 at the National Hurricane Center, part of the NOAA.

NOAA operates fleets of satellites, sensors on airplanes and ocean-going buoys, as well as radar, providing the data used by weather forecasters nationwide – and freely available to anyone.

Drought can hit almost anywhere: How 5 cities that nearly ran dry got water use under control

Las Vegas' water supplier offers rebates to residents who tear out their grass lawns to save water.

Cities across the normally wet Northeast scrambled to reduce water use amid a 2024 drought. It was a reminder that drought isn’t a problem only in the West.

As erosion and floods swallow buildings, Washington's coastal communities strain to adapt

The Daily Yonder covers tribal and rural communities on the coast of the Pacific Northwest that are taking action to survive climate-change induced changes to their landscape.

How satellites and AI help fight wildfires today

The wind and terrain can quickly change how a fire, like this one near Los Angeles in January 2025, behaves.

Fire spotters used to watch with binoculars from forest towers. Now, technology can help forecast fire behavior, but human experience is still essential.

Solar energy innovations consumers will love from CES 2025

(BPT) - Eager to discover the latest and greatest technology? If so, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the highlight of the year, and the 2025 offerings were bolder than ever. Consumers seeking …

Firefighting planes are dumping ocean water on the Los Angeles fires − why using saltwater is typically a last resort

A firefighting plane dumps water on one of the fires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025.

In emergencies, dumping ocean water on fires may be the best option. But seawater can have long-term effects on equipment and ecosystems, as a novel coastal experiment shows.

How the world fell in love with plastic without thinking through the consequences – podcast

Plastic waste expert Mark Miodowonik explains the history of plastic and why he believes manufacturers must be responsible for making sure plastic is recycled.

Ambitious L.A. water recycling plan could serve half a million households

LA Post reports on a new UCLA study that confirms LA's ambitious wastewater recycling initiative would strengthen the city's water security amid growing climate challenges and potential natural disasters.

A Greener Home Starts Today: Save on ENERGY STAR Appliances with New Home Rebates

(BPT) - Energy efficiency isn't a trendy buzzword — it's quickly becoming the new normal for everyday Americans across the country. Beginning this fall and throughout next year, consumers will …

Coal plants are closing. What can be done with them?

(BPT) - The next generation of energy technologies is coming online, delivering energy that is more affordable, reliable and cleaner than ever before. But what happens to the older generation of …

Make a New Year's resolution to prepare your home

(BPT) - When it comes to goal setting for the new year ahead, why not put prepping your home for unexpected life moments top of the list? After all, your home is the center of your life, and the …

3 Reasons to Ditch Your Laundry Detergent for Eco Strips

(NewsUSA) - The laundry industry would have you believe that in order to get brilliant, clean laundry, you need to use powders, liquids and pods that are diluted with water, and come in bulky, …

End your year meaningfully with a gift that grows

(BPT) - With one year coming to a close and another about to begin, this is the perfect time to reflect on how you've been blessed this year, as well as ways to best live your values going forward. …