Lauren Sommer
Stories
-
Nations must act on climate change or could be held responsible, top U.N. court rules
The International Court of Justice ruled that nations have an obligation to act on climate change under international laws protecting the environment and human rights.
-
Floods are getting more dangerous around the country, not just in Texas
The deadly floods in Central Texas were caused by extremely heavy rain. Climate change is causing even more rain to fall during the heaviest storms.
-
How homeowners are saving on insurance by upgrading their houses against disasters
Home insurance is getting pricier as hurricanes and wildfires get worse. States are trying new incentives, encouraging homeowners to retrofit homes against disasters to get an insurance discount.
-
Penguins in Antarctica could actually be helping cool the climate… with their poop
In places like Antarctica, small things can make a difference. Scientists are finding that penguin waste is helping form clouds, which could be offsetting the effects of climate change.
-
FEMA leader is out amid questions over future of the agency
The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cameron Hamilton, has been replaced. The shake up comes weeks before the start of the Atlantic hurricane season.
-
Rural communities were promised millions in disaster funds. Trump is ending it
Rural communities are scrambling after the Trump administration canceled billions in disaster grants. Many were counting on the funds for infrastructure fixes meant to withstand future disasters.
-
Why some Los Angeles homes are being built to resist wildfires — and some aren't
The wildfires in LA were so large, they burned areas that weren't considered at risk. That means as residents start the process of rebuilding, thousands of them won't be required to use fire-resistant building materials. Experts say those materials dramatically reduce the chance a house will burn. But now, Los Angeles officials are changing the rules to require more homeowners to use these materials - a rare example of tightening the rules post-disaster, instead of loosening them.
-
Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared
President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.
-
Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather, hurricanes
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the National Weather Service. Experts warn the consequences of employee cuts could be drastic.
-
This rare, intelligent species of crow is taking flight in Hawaii again
An endangered crow, found only in Hawaii, is flying free again. The alala has survived only in captivity after almost going extinct. Now, a small group has been returned to the forest of Maui. But its survival is not guaranteed – showing how hard it is to re-introduce species at the brink of extinction.
