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Space industry pollution above could have serious consequences for the environment below

Feb 5, 2024
Damage to the ozone layer could raise the risk of skin cancer, cataracts and immune disorders, says science reporter Shannon Hall.
Decommissioned satellites are designed to burn up in Earth's atmosphere, but they leave behind pollutants in their wake.
Chadan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Climate change effects likely to include long-term inflation

Nov 14, 2023
The fifth National Climate Assessment says climate change will continue to nudge household spending higher in many categories — including health, food and home repair.
In June, smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted over New York City and obscured the Manhattan skyline. Increased air pollution could lead to higher health care costs.
Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images

More wildfires mean worsening air quality. How do we adapt?

Jun 8, 2023
Some pandemic-related tools get a second life, while investors look at more high-tech solutions.
A person wears a face mask as smoke from Canada wildfires blankets Manhattan on June 7, 2023 in New York City.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Fossil fuel pollution is killing 8.7 million people a year, study says

Feb 9, 2021
Further investment in fossil fuels, even for a pandemic recovery, could have devastating human costs, the study says.
"One of the worst things we could be doing is stimulating our economy with measures that then lead to more deaths on the fossil-fuel front," says climate economist Gernot Wagner.
Brook Mitchell/Getty Images

GM makes U-turn in Trump's fight over California emissions

GM had previously sided with the Trump administration in a legal fight over California setting its own emissions standards.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra speaks to the news media before the automobiile maker's annual meeting of shareholders at GM world headquarters June 12, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan.
Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Environmental groups prepare for fight over methane proposal

Aug 30, 2019
A Trump administration proposal to roll back Obama-era rules to limit methane emissions is likely to face multiple legal challenges.
Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images

The path left by your online purchases

Dec 27, 2018
You might have done a lot of online shopping this holiday season, and you’re not alone — more than 1 billion items were shipped for free in the United States this holiday with Amazon Prime, the company reported. And with the rise of online shopping comes a lot more warehouses popping up in rural communities […]

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Study links air pollution to early death

Nov 19, 2018
A new report ranks air pollution as the greatest threat to human life, above war and disease.
A Chinese man wears a mask as he waits to cross the road near the CCTV building during heavy smog on November 29, 2014 in Beijing, China. 
Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Climate alliance states have significant leverage

Jul 18, 2017
Following withdrawal from Paris accord, states take the lead on emissions targets.
California Gov. Jerry Brown speaks during an energy policy conference in Beijing in June.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Dairy industry weighs California's new regulations

Sep 20, 2016
The state wants farmers to do more to cut methane emissions from cows and cowpats.
David Silverman/Getty Images