Environment

3551 Stories

New homes in Washington state will have to include energy efficient heating and cooling

In Washington state, new buildings could soon become a lot more energy efficient. This week, the Washington State Building Code Council voted to require heat pumps in new homes, by raising efficiency standards so that only heat pumps can satisfy them. To withstand legal threats, the group chose a path that discourages gas appliances without outlawing them.
- Joshua McNichols
Biden administration proposes strictest lead pipe rules in more than three decades

Most cities would have to replace lead water pipes within 10 years under new rules proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency aimed to prevent like the ones in Flint, Mich. and Washington, D.C.
- The Associated Press
What happens when El Niño rolls into Seattle?

If you’re in the Pacific Northwest right now, it’s cold outside. There’s frost on the ground in the morning — sometimes a freezing mist in the air. And lately, very little rain. Winter doesn’t technically start for another three weeks. But if this is all feeling off to you, you may need to prepare for more weirdness; it’s an El Niño year.
- Jason Burrows
In Venezuela, harmful oil spills are mounting as the country ramps up production

After the U.S. lifted its sanctions, Venezuela is trying to revive its beleaguered oil industry. But ramping up production is causing more oil spills.
- John Otis
U.S. moves to protect wolverines as climate change melts their mountain refuges

The North American wolverine would receive threatened species protections under a Biden administration proposal. Warming temperatures are expected to shrink the mountain snowpack wolverines rely on.
- The Associated Press
3 climate impacts the U.S. will see if warming goes beyond 1.5 degrees

Climate science shows that beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, impacts in the U.S. get substantially worse. The world is on track for almost double that level of warming by the end of the century.
- Lauren Sommer
Armed with barriers made of human hair, Venezuelans take on massive oil slicks

Venezuelans attempt to tackle the massive oil slicks that are clogging up one of South America's largest bodies of inland water — by using human hair.
- John Otis
Rush-hour traffic in Seattle increases blood pressure, but not for the reason you think

It will come as no surprise to anyone who braves I-5 on a weekday at either 8 a.m. or 5 p.m. (or practically any time in between) that your blood pressure tends to increase during sudden slowdowns and bumper-to-bumper backups. But a new study from University of Washington researchers suggests that it’s not just the Tesla changing lanes without using a directional that is causing your heart to pound. Ultrafine particles circulating on and near congested freeways — a toxic mixture of exhaust from tailpipes, brake and tire wear, and road dust — could increase blood pressure and lead to other health problems.
- Stephen Howie
Climate funding is in short supply. So some want to rework the financial system

Efforts to boost climate financing have moved beyond national pledges. Now the focus is on overhauling organizations like the World Bank and providing countries debt relief.
- Michael Copley
Incoming: King tides to Puget Sound

The highest tides of the year are on their way.
- John Ryan

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Environment

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