climate change Archives - Page 9 of 27 - TPR: The Public's Radio

A cluster of people stand in the shallow waters of the Virgin River in St. George, Utah. An open cooler sits on a sand bar in between the grassy banks. The river provides the desert community with water, but climate change and a growing population threaten that supply. Local leaders are looking toward recycled sewage as a solution.

NPR

This city is exploring an unconventional solution to water scarcity: sewage

by David Condos June 9, 2025June 9, 2025

A booming population and changing climate have strained water supplies in St. George, Utah. Local leaders are betting that recycled wastewater can keep the city’s taps flowing.

James Henriksen, an environmental microbiologist at Colorado State University, holds up a water sample for Braden Tierney, a microbiologist at Harvard Medical School. The bag is teeming with microbes, a group of organisms that these researchers hope may hold the solutions to some of humanity’s big problems.

NPR

These researchers think the sludge in your home may help save the planet

by Ari Daniel June 2, 2025June 2, 2025

What if the solutions to some of Earth’s biggest problems could be found in some of its smallest creatures? That bet has led a team of researchers to places both remote and — lately — rather familiar.

Clownfish swim at the Ocearium in Le Croisic, western France, on December 6, 2016.

NPR

Some clownfish are shrinking, according to new study. Here’s why

by Kaity Kline June 2, 2025June 2, 2025

Clownfish in Papua New Guinea are temporarily shrinking in response to heat stress caused by climate change, a new study found. Here’s how that might help them deal with warmer water temps.

The sun sets behind an oil refinery in California.

NPR

Oil companies face a wrongful death suit tied to climate change

by Michael Copley May 30, 2025May 30, 2025

Julie Leon died of hyperthermia in Seattle on June 28, 2021 — the hottest day in the city’s history. A lawsuit claims she was a victim of oil companies’ “misrepresentations” about climate change.

Saul Luciano Lliuya in front of Lake Palcacocha, located at 4,650 meters above sea level at the Huascaran National Park, in Huaraz, northeastern Peru, on May 23, 2022.

NPR

Peruvian farmer loses landmark climate case against German energy giant

by Simeon Tegel May 28, 2025May 28, 2025

A Peruvian farmer has lost a decade-long legal climate case against Germany energy giant RWE. Saúl Luciano Lliuya claimed the company’s emissions had contributed to glacial melt threatening his Andean hometown.

Family friends of Kristie and James Sexton, help look through the debris of Sexton's home after a tornado passed through the area, Saturday, May 17, 2025, in London, Ky. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

NPR

Large tornado outbreaks are becoming more common. But it’s unclear why

by Rebecca Hersher May 20, 2025May 20, 2025

It’s getting more common for a lot of tornadoes to form over a big area in a short period of time. But the total number of tornadoes each year in the U.S. is stable.

A woman with a red umbrella walks past mud and debris on a street in Studio City, Calif. in 2024.

NPR

Where does your weather forecast come from?

by Rebecca Hersher May 19, 2025May 19, 2025

Whether you get your forecast from an app on your phone, a website or a meteorologist on TV, most of the underlying information comes from the federal government.

Lindsey Williamson learned about efficient heat pump water heaters on a home improvement television show. However, “My main problem was finding somebody locally who could actually install what I was looking for,” Williamson says.

NPR

Need help switching appliances from gas to electric? A ‘coach’ can help

by Jeff Brady May 12, 2025May 12, 2025

Government incentives for climate-friendly upgrades are confusing to navigate, and it can be hard to find businesses that sell them. So a new industry is emerging to help: the decarbonization coach.