Yale Environment 360
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An online magazine offering reporting, opinion, and analysis on global environmental issues. Published at the Yale School of the Environment. Our newsletter: e360.yale.edu/newsletter
Researchers are seeing a disturbing rise in the trade of African hornbills, both in local voodoo markets and online on Instagram, Etsy, and eBay.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
A Troubling Rise in the Grisly Trade of a Spectacular African Bird
Researchers are finding a disturbing uptick in the trade of African hornbills and their body parts in West African voodoo markets and globally on the internet. Conservationists want international prot...
e360.yale.edu
November 24, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Researchers are seeing a disturbing rise in the trade of African hornbills, both in local voodoo markets and online on Instagram, Etsy, and eBay.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
The birds have scant legal protection, despite playing a key role in the seeding of African forests.
A new E.U. service will investigate the role of warming in weather disasters.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
New European Service Will Investigate Role of Warming in Weather Disasters
e360.yale.edu
November 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
A new E.U. service will investigate the role of warming in weather disasters.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
Its findings could help insurers better gauge climate risks and help advocates hold polluters accountable for climate damages.
As China has cut back on the extraction of rare earth minerals, Myanmar has seen a mining boom in borderlands ruled by ethnic armies.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
In Myanmar, Illicit Rare Earth Mining Is Taking a Heavy Toll
As China has cut back on domestic extraction of rare earth minerals, uncontrolled mining in Myanmar has boomed in areas ruled by ethnic armies. New reporting in Wa territory reveals the activity is da...
e360.yale.edu
November 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
As China has cut back on the extraction of rare earth minerals, Myanmar has seen a mining boom in borderlands ruled by ethnic armies.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
The surge in illicit mining is destroying forests, tainting water, and harming the health of workers and communities nearby.
Tech companies are turning to natural gas to help power U.S. data centers.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
How Batteries, Not Natural Gas, Can Power the Data Center Boom
Tech companies are turning to natural gas to help power the growing number of U.S. data centers. Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can help...
e360.yale.edu
November 19, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Tech companies are turning to natural gas to help power U.S. data centers.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
Jigar Shah, a former top Energy Department official, explains how installing batteries instead can strengthen the power grid, trim electric bills, and help curb emissions.
Race is a "potent predictor" of where petrochemical plants have been proposed in Texas, a report finds.
Race a 'Potent Predictor' of Where Texas Petrochemical Plants Will Be Built
e360.yale.edu
November 18, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Race is a "potent predictor" of where petrochemical plants have been proposed in Texas, a report finds.
By the end of this decade, U.S. data centers could consume as much water as 10 million Americans and produce as much carbon dioxide as 10 million cars, a study finds. via @insideclimatenews.org
U.S. Data Centers Could Consume as Much Water as 10 Million Americans by Decade's End
e360.yale.edu
November 17, 2025 at 3:52 PM
By the end of this decade, U.S. data centers could consume as much water as 10 million Americans and produce as much carbon dioxide as 10 million cars, a study finds. via @insideclimatenews.org
This year, new wind and solar will more than meet growing power demand globally, keeping fossil fuel consumption flat, analysts project.
Growth of Wind and Solar Keeping Fossil Power in Check
e360.yale.edu
November 14, 2025 at 11:45 AM
This year, new wind and solar will more than meet growing power demand globally, keeping fossil fuel consumption flat, analysts project.
National climate plans focus too much on “unrealistic” tree-planting schemes and too little on protecting existing forests, experts warn.
Climate Plans Focus on Planting Trees Over Protecting Forests, Experts Warn
e360.yale.edu
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 PM
National climate plans focus too much on “unrealistic” tree-planting schemes and too little on protecting existing forests, experts warn.
The International Energy Agency continues to project that demand for fossil fuels will peak before 2030, if countries push forward on their climate goals.
World Still Headed for 'Peak' Fossil Fuels Before Decade's End
e360.yale.edu
November 12, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The International Energy Agency continues to project that demand for fossil fuels will peak before 2030, if countries push forward on their climate goals.
For 18 months, China’s emissions have been trending down as renewables displace coal and EVs supplant gas-powered cars.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
China's Emissions Have Been Trending Down for 18 Months
e360.yale.edu
November 11, 2025 at 2:56 PM
For 18 months, China’s emissions have been trending down as renewables displace coal and EVs supplant gas-powered cars.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
That is the finding of a new analysis, which comes as China takes center stage at the U.N. climate negotiations now underway in Brazil.
Analysis: China is not only powering the shift to clean energy, but becoming a driving force in climate diplomacy, filling a vacuum left by the U.S. and E.U.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
As U.S. and E.U. Retreat on Climate, China Takes the Leadership Role
As U.N. talks get underway, China is emerging as a key leader in international climate efforts. It is empowering the global energy transition, and along with India and Brazil, is becoming the driving ...
e360.yale.edu
November 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Analysis: China is not only powering the shift to clean energy, but becoming a driving force in climate diplomacy, filling a vacuum left by the U.S. and E.U.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
As U.N. climate negotiations get underway, China is staking its claim to the leadership role.
A new study reveals how a tiny desert shrub manages to thrive in the searing heat of Death Valley, California.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
In a Death Valley Shrub, a Blueprint for Heat-Proof Crops
e360.yale.edu
November 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
A new study reveals how a tiny desert shrub manages to thrive in the searing heat of Death Valley, California.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
The findings could help scientists engineer more heat-resistant crops.
For the fourth year in a row, the world is projected to add a record amount of wind and solar.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
World Appears on Track to Triple Renewable Capacity by 2030
e360.yale.edu
November 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
For the fourth year in a row, the world is projected to add a record amount of wind and solar.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
Countries appear on track to reach an international goal to triple global renewable capacity by 2030, analysts say.
Last year Brazil saw its biggest drop in emissions in 15 years, new data show.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
As Brazil Cracks Down on Forest Clearing, Emissions Fall
e360.yale.edu
November 5, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Last year Brazil saw its biggest drop in emissions in 15 years, new data show.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
Analysts credit the decline to a crackdown on the illegal clearing of forest.
Russian attacks have produced more than a billion tons of debris across Ukraine.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
From Ruins to Reuse: How Ukrainians Are Repurposing War Waste
Russian bombardments have generated more than a billion tons of debris across Ukraine since 2022. Now, local and international efforts are meticulously sorting the bricks, concrete, metal, and wood, p...
e360.yale.edu
November 4, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Russian attacks have produced more than a billion tons of debris across Ukraine.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
Efforts are underway to recover concrete, metal, bricks, and wood from the rubble and reuse these materials in new buildings and roads.
From now through the end of the year, all donations to Yale Environment 360 will be doubled, thanks to NewsMatch.
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
November 3, 2025 at 3:03 PM
From now through the end of the year, all donations to Yale Environment 360 will be doubled, thanks to NewsMatch.
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
Please give today: e360.yale.edu/donate
The climate outlook has improved dramatically in the decade since the Paris Agreement, a report finds.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.
In Decade Since Paris Agreement, Climate Outlook Has Improved Dramatically
e360.yale.edu
November 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
The climate outlook has improved dramatically in the decade since the Paris Agreement, a report finds.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.
Still, the world remains far off track from its goal of keeping warming under 2 degrees C.
One of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, Hurricane Melissa has killed dozens of people and inflicted billions of dollars in damage.
Warming made the deadly hurricane four times more likely, a new analysis finds.
Warming made the deadly hurricane four times more likely, a new analysis finds.
Warming Made Hurricane Melissa Four Times More Likely
e360.yale.edu
October 31, 2025 at 2:55 PM
One of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, Hurricane Melissa has killed dozens of people and inflicted billions of dollars in damage.
Warming made the deadly hurricane four times more likely, a new analysis finds.
Warming made the deadly hurricane four times more likely, a new analysis finds.
Brazil is set to unveil an investment fund that would channel billions of dollars yearly to countries that safeguard tropical forests.
Proponents see a game-changer for conservation, but critics say the plan will benefit investors first, rather than forests and the countries that host them.
Proponents see a game-changer for conservation, but critics say the plan will benefit investors first, rather than forests and the countries that host them.
Carbon Offsets Are Failing. Can a New Plan Save the Rainforests?
Brazil is set to unveil an ambitious international plan that would provide up to $4 billion a year to countries that protect their tropical forests. Proponents see it as a potential game-changer for f...
e360.yale.edu
October 30, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Brazil is set to unveil an investment fund that would channel billions of dollars yearly to countries that safeguard tropical forests.
Proponents see a game-changer for conservation, but critics say the plan will benefit investors first, rather than forests and the countries that host them.
Proponents see a game-changer for conservation, but critics say the plan will benefit investors first, rather than forests and the countries that host them.
Glowing scale worms and a “death ball” sponge are among the dozens of new creatures discovered in the Southern Ocean.
'Death-Ball' Sponge and Glowing Worms Among Creatures Discovered in Southern Ocean
e360.yale.edu
October 29, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Glowing scale worms and a “death ball” sponge are among the dozens of new creatures discovered in the Southern Ocean.
Since 1990, China has added more than 170 million acres of forest, an area roughly the size of Texas, according to a new U.N. report.
China Has Added Forest the Size of Texas Since 1990
While the world is continuing to lose huge areas of forest, mostly in the tropics, woodlands are making a comeback in some countries. Since 1990, China has added more than 170 million acres of forest, an area roughly the size of Texas, according to a new U.N. report.
e360.yale.edu
October 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Since 1990, China has added more than 170 million acres of forest, an area roughly the size of Texas, according to a new U.N. report.
With lawmakers still at an impasse over spending, the U.S. government remains shut down.
Researchers warn that during the last shutdown, pollution from coal power plants spiked in the absence of federal oversight.
Researchers warn that during the last shutdown, pollution from coal power plants spiked in the absence of federal oversight.
During the Last Government Shutdown, Coal Pollution Spiked
e360.yale.edu
October 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
With lawmakers still at an impasse over spending, the U.S. government remains shut down.
Researchers warn that during the last shutdown, pollution from coal power plants spiked in the absence of federal oversight.
Researchers warn that during the last shutdown, pollution from coal power plants spiked in the absence of federal oversight.
Clean tech firms have scrapped $24 billion in planned projects across the U.S. this year, from solar farms to battery plants to EV factories.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
Dozens of Clean Tech Projects Cancelled in U.S. This Year, Costing More Than 20,000 Jobs
e360.yale.edu
October 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Clean tech firms have scrapped $24 billion in planned projects across the U.S. this year, from solar farms to battery plants to EV factories.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
The canceled projects would have created more than 20,000 jobs, most of them in Republican districts.
Offshore wind had been poised to take off on the East Coast, with about 30 large farms planned.
But as the Trump administration pulls support for the industry, most of those projects have been abandoned.
But as the Trump administration pulls support for the industry, most of those projects have been abandoned.
Facing a Hostile Administration, U.S. Offshore Wind Is in Retreat
Offshore wind had been poised to take off along the East Coast, with about 30 utility-scale farms planned. But the Trump administration’s opposition to wind power has caused most of those projects to ...
e360.yale.edu
October 23, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Offshore wind had been poised to take off on the East Coast, with about 30 large farms planned.
But as the Trump administration pulls support for the industry, most of those projects have been abandoned.
But as the Trump administration pulls support for the industry, most of those projects have been abandoned.
The five biggest meat and dairy producers are generating more methane than the largest oil and gas firms, according to a new report.
Biggest Meat Producers Unleashing More Methane Than Biggest Oil Firms
e360.yale.edu
October 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The five biggest meat and dairy producers are generating more methane than the largest oil and gas firms, according to a new report.