Inside Climate News
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Pulitzer Prize-winning, nonprofit, non-partisan newsroom dedicated to covering climate, energy and the environment. Our newsletters: http://bit.ly/3mcVORO
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We're Inside Climate News. We are a nonprofit, non-partisan newsroom dedicated to covering climate, energy and the environment.
Make sure to follow our starter pack to stay up-to-date with ICN's reporters and editors: go.bsky.app/Dp5kru3
A pioneering atmospheric scientist who helped shape global environmental policy, Michael McElroy, dies at 86.
Trailblazing Atmospheric Scientist Was ‘a Titan in the Scientific World’ - Inside Climate News
Harvard University researcher Michael McElroy made groundbreaking contributions to climate science and helped shape global environmental policy.
insideclimatenews.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:44 PM
A pioneering atmospheric scientist who helped shape global environmental policy, Michael McElroy, dies at 86.
The federal government proposed listing 11 South Florida plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act but never finalized their status—until an environmental group filed suit.
Trump Administration to Finalize Protections for 11 South Florida Plants and Animals - Inside Climate News
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service settled federal litigation over the species’ plight. But the wood stork will lose its listing under the Endangered Species Act.
insideclimatenews.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:42 PM
The federal government proposed listing 11 South Florida plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act but never finalized their status—until an environmental group filed suit.
In Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, distilleries and breweries are partnering with organic farms to build a closed-loop, grain-to-glass system to support regenerative agriculture and keep resources local.
Local Barley Becomes Local Booze at a Wisconsin Distillery Prioritizing Ag Sustainability - Inside Climate News
Farmers, distillers and other businesses are taking part in a “grain to glass” sourcing system that eliminates waste and keeps agriculture business within communities.
insideclimatenews.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:35 PM
In Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, distilleries and breweries are partnering with organic farms to build a closed-loop, grain-to-glass system to support regenerative agriculture and keep resources local.
To power data centers, Georgia regulators approved an expansion of natural gas power plants that could add up to 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution each year despite climate concerns.
Georgia Power Gas Expansion Would Drive Significant Climate-Damaging Pollution - Inside Climate News
The expansion could add millions of tons of carbon pollution annually while polluting the air near vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
insideclimatenews.org
February 9, 2026 at 7:16 PM
To power data centers, Georgia regulators approved an expansion of natural gas power plants that could add up to 20 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution each year despite climate concerns.
“The best kept secret in western Colorado”: A geothermal heating and cooling network saves Colorado Mesa University millions of dollars on energy bills, and millions of gallons of Colorado River water.
A Groundbreaking Geothermal Heating and Cooling Network Saves This Colorado College Money and Water - Inside Climate News
When a former oil and gas developer partnered with Colorado Mesa University on geothermal, the school saved millions and set a new standard for energy-efficient buildings.
insideclimatenews.org
February 9, 2026 at 6:17 PM
“The best kept secret in western Colorado”: A geothermal heating and cooling network saves Colorado Mesa University millions of dollars on energy bills, and millions of gallons of Colorado River water.
As data-center growth accelerates, Pennsylvania’s governor outlines what he wants them to do in order to receive the state’s “full support.”
Pennsylvania Governor Courts Data Centers While Seeking Consumer Protections - Inside Climate News
Critics say the complexes will boost gas demand and fracking-related pollution.
insideclimatenews.org
February 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
As data-center growth accelerates, Pennsylvania’s governor outlines what he wants them to do in order to receive the state’s “full support.”
The dairy and livestock industries produce most of California’s methane—a climate super pollutant. Now, the state is exploring a first step toward regulating these emissions after years of relying on incentives encouraging voluntary reductions to meet its 2030 climate goals.
California Explores First-Time Regulation on Dairy Methane Emissions - Inside Climate News
The state took a first small step toward requiring that dairies and livestock operations reduce their emissions of the climate super pollutant.
insideclimatenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 7:13 PM
The dairy and livestock industries produce most of California’s methane—a climate super pollutant. Now, the state is exploring a first step toward regulating these emissions after years of relying on incentives encouraging voluntary reductions to meet its 2030 climate goals.
An advanced methane-sensing satellite promised a new era of climate accountability before researchers lost contact with the spacecraft last year. Now, previously collected data from the spacecraft shines a light on oil and gas industry pollution.
MethaneSAT Releases First Global Assessment of Oil and Gas Climate Pollution - Inside Climate News
Nearly a year after the Environmental Defense Fund lost contact with an $88 million satellite, data from the spacecraft reveal higher-than-expected methane emissions from the oil and gas industry.
insideclimatenews.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:27 PM
An advanced methane-sensing satellite promised a new era of climate accountability before researchers lost contact with the spacecraft last year. Now, previously collected data from the spacecraft shines a light on oil and gas industry pollution.
For years, wildlife refugees and cultural sites in the Rio Grande Valley were safeguarded by Congress. Now, those protections are gone—and advocates are calling to restore them as construction for the border wall accelerates.
Rio Grande Valley Advocates Urge Congress to Restore Protections for Public Lands In Path of Border Wall - Inside Climate News
After years of bipartisan carveouts from Congress, plans for the border wall now cut through wildlife refuges and cultural sites in the Texas Rio Grande Valley.
insideclimatenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:18 PM
For years, wildlife refugees and cultural sites in the Rio Grande Valley were safeguarded by Congress. Now, those protections are gone—and advocates are calling to restore them as construction for the border wall accelerates.
Gas stations could face a financial reckoning sooner than we think.
Is the gas station heading towards extinction? New research looks at the unstable footing for these businesses and what leaders may need to do if the business model collapses.
Is the gas station heading towards extinction? New research looks at the unstable footing for these businesses and what leaders may need to do if the business model collapses.
Looking Ahead to When Gas Stations Vanish - Inside Climate News
Leaders should plan for declining demand that will undermine the viability of fossil fuel businesses. New research says it could happen sooner than we think.
insideclimatenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Gas stations could face a financial reckoning sooner than we think.
Is the gas station heading towards extinction? New research looks at the unstable footing for these businesses and what leaders may need to do if the business model collapses.
Is the gas station heading towards extinction? New research looks at the unstable footing for these businesses and what leaders may need to do if the business model collapses.
In eastern Angola, a highland wetland system feeds rivers, wildlife and millions of people across Africa. Long protected by local communities, it has now gained international recognition as Angola’s first Ramsar site.
One of Africa’s Most Important Water Sources Just Got Some Very Good News - Inside Climate News
Angola’s vast highland wetlands feed rivers that deliver freshwater to millions. They just gained global recognition that could help keep it that way.
insideclimatenews.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:00 PM
In eastern Angola, a highland wetland system feeds rivers, wildlife and millions of people across Africa. Long protected by local communities, it has now gained international recognition as Angola’s first Ramsar site.
Wildfires are getting worse. Republicans are pushing legislation that would weaken environmental protections and open vast swaths of land to logging. Scientists say policies should focus on making infrastructure and landscapes fire-resilient.
Wildfire Urgency Unites Congress. The ‘Fix Our Forests’ Act Does Not. - Inside Climate News
A House hearing exposed sharp divisions over whether loosening environmental laws and expanding logging will protect communities from catastrophic fires. Scientists urged a shift toward investing in f...
insideclimatenews.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Wildfires are getting worse. Republicans are pushing legislation that would weaken environmental protections and open vast swaths of land to logging. Scientists say policies should focus on making infrastructure and landscapes fire-resilient.
Lost in the discussion of the federal budget: The country’s largest EV charging program would be gutted.
EV Charging Program Faces the Axe in Budget Bill - Inside Climate News
Legislation that could end the partial government shutdown would slash funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.
insideclimatenews.org
February 3, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Lost in the discussion of the federal budget: The country’s largest EV charging program would be gutted.
Scientists say increasing shipping traffic in the Arctic is interfering with narwhals’ ability to hunt and communicate. Conservation groups are urging the International Maritime Organization to instate mandatory measures to reduce underwater noise.
As the Arctic Grows Noisier, Narwhals Are Becoming Quieter - Inside Climate News
For most of their evolutionary history, narwhals have relied more on sound than sight to survive in the Arctic’s dark icy waters. The speckled toothed whales—sometimes referred to as “unicorns of the ...
insideclimatenews.org
February 2, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Scientists say increasing shipping traffic in the Arctic is interfering with narwhals’ ability to hunt and communicate. Conservation groups are urging the International Maritime Organization to instate mandatory measures to reduce underwater noise.
Heat, drought, and high winds exacerbated deadly blazes in Chile this weekend and stoked fires that continue to smolder in Argentina.
Patagonia Is Burning - Inside Climate News
Heat, drought, and high winds exacerbated deadly blazes in Chile this weekend and stoked fires that continue to smolder in Argentina.
insideclimatenews.org
January 21, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Heat, drought, and high winds exacerbated deadly blazes in Chile this weekend and stoked fires that continue to smolder in Argentina.
Zillow scrubbed climate risk data under pressure from California’s real estate brokers and agents who were concerned about its impact on home prices. A plugin in development would restore that data.
A California Climate Expert Is Working to Restore Climate Risk Scores Deleted by Zillow - Inside Climate News
The real estate website scrubbed the data under pressure from California’s real estate brokers and agents who were concerned about its impact on home prices. Neil Matouka thinks prospective buyers hav...
insideclimatenews.org
January 20, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Zillow scrubbed climate risk data under pressure from California’s real estate brokers and agents who were concerned about its impact on home prices. A plugin in development would restore that data.
As Wyoming faces larger and costlier blazes, scientists warn that the flames could make many of the state’s iconic landscapes unrecognizable within decades.
A Record Wildfire Season Inspires Wyoming to Prepare for an Increasingly Fiery Future - Inside Climate News
As the Cowboy State faces larger and costlier blazes, scientists warn that the flames could make many of its iconic landscapes unrecognizable within decades.
insideclimatenews.org
January 19, 2026 at 8:55 PM
As Wyoming faces larger and costlier blazes, scientists warn that the flames could make many of the state’s iconic landscapes unrecognizable within decades.
West Texas cities are scrambling for water. But decades of oil and gas drilling has impacted the region’s water quality.
A Small Oil Company Polluted Midland’s Water Reserve. The Cleanup Has Dragged on for Years. - Inside Climate News
Cleaning up oilfield pollution in arid West Texas is costly and complicated. The bankruptcy process allows companies to move on while the public pays the price.
insideclimatenews.org
January 18, 2026 at 5:25 PM
West Texas cities are scrambling for water. But decades of oil and gas drilling has impacted the region’s water quality.
The EPA’s rejection of Colorado’s regional haze plan and orders from the Trump administration to keep coal plants online in the state have advocates worried about damage to protected areas.
Trump’s Push for Coal in Colorado Could Bring ‘Massive’ Harm to Public Lands and Rural Communities, Advocates Say - Inside Climate News
The EPA’s rejection of Colorado’s regional haze plan and orders from the Trump administration to keep coal plants online in the state have advocates worried about damage to protected areas.
insideclimatenews.org
January 18, 2026 at 12:54 AM
The EPA’s rejection of Colorado’s regional haze plan and orders from the Trump administration to keep coal plants online in the state have advocates worried about damage to protected areas.
The Trump administration and Mid-Atlantic governors urged the nation’s largest grid operator to hold down consumer electricity prices and make data centers cover the cost of powering their operations.
Clean Energy Advocates Criticize ‘Glaring’ Omission in White House Plan to Fuel Data Centers in PJM Region - Inside Climate News
Environmentalists warn that the proposal, signed by a bipartisan group of 13 governors, could increase reliance on fossil fuels and fail to bring consumer prices down.
insideclimatenews.org
January 17, 2026 at 8:22 PM
The Trump administration and Mid-Atlantic governors urged the nation’s largest grid operator to hold down consumer electricity prices and make data centers cover the cost of powering their operations.
Hundreds of workers who finish luxury countertops have developed silicosis, an irreversible but preventable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. But it’s the manufacturers that Republicans want to protect.
As Artificial Stone Countertops Kill Workers, House Republicans Discuss Protections—for Manufacturers - Inside Climate News
Sponsors of a new bill want to give the industry immunity from lawsuits brought by injured employees. That will kill even more workers, experts warn.
insideclimatenews.org
January 17, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Hundreds of workers who finish luxury countertops have developed silicosis, an irreversible but preventable lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust. But it’s the manufacturers that Republicans want to protect.
As nitrate levels once again soared in Des Moines’ drinking water sources, lawmakers gathered in the Iowa capital offered few plans to tackle mounting agricultural pollution.
Cleaner Water a Hope, Not a Given, for Iowa in 2026 - Inside Climate News
As the 2026 legislative session began in Des Moines, mixed signals suggest that the state’s approach to rampant water-quality issues may be more business as usual.
insideclimatenews.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:54 PM
As nitrate levels once again soared in Des Moines’ drinking water sources, lawmakers gathered in the Iowa capital offered few plans to tackle mounting agricultural pollution.
Duke Energy could build a new natural gas plant near North Carolina’s wine region in Davidson County.
Duke Energy Plans to Build a Massive Natural Gas Power Plant in Davidson County. But Where, Exactly? - Inside Climate News
The powerful North Carolina utility is cagey about the exact location, but there are clues, and environmentalists want to know. In any event, a fossil fuel buildout is on.
insideclimatenews.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Duke Energy could build a new natural gas plant near North Carolina’s wine region in Davidson County.
A new Florida law that blocked local efforts to be more sustainable and resilient is a top issue as the legislative session begins this week.
In Hurricane-Prone Florida, Legislators Reconsider New Growth and Development Law - Inside Climate News
Three bills have been introduced, as the annual legislative session begins this week, that would revise SB 180, last year’s controversial new law that blocked local resiliency efforts.
insideclimatenews.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:50 PM
A new Florida law that blocked local efforts to be more sustainable and resilient is a top issue as the legislative session begins this week.
As protests spread across Iran, experts say decades of environmental mismanagement and repression of scientists and environmental activists are driving the unrest.
Iran’s Regime Has Survived War, Sanctions and Uprising. Environmental Crises May Bring It Down. - Inside Climate News
Decades of water depletion, dam building and repression of scientists and environmentalists have driven Iran toward ecological crises that are fueling protests rocking the country.
insideclimatenews.org
January 15, 2026 at 1:44 AM
As protests spread across Iran, experts say decades of environmental mismanagement and repression of scientists and environmental activists are driving the unrest.