Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

NPR @npr.org · 5d

The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries. By @lsommer.bsky.social

Why scientists are using corals from other countries to help save Florida's reefs

The past three summers have been the worst on record for Florida's coral reefs. To try to restore them, scientists are breeding corals that can handle heat better, using coral from other countries.

n.pr

9 51 260

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

NPR @npr.org · 28d

Many of New Zealand's unique birds are heading toward extinction. So the country is taking on an ambitious conservation project: eradicating the invasive species that prey on them.

New Zealand's bold plan to save endangered animals: kill millions of invasive animals

Many of New Zealand's unique birds are heading toward extinction. So the country is taking on an ambitious conservation project: eradicating the invasive species that prey on them.

n.pr

15 56 370

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Jun 11

With home insurance getting pricier and millions of houses unprepared for disasters, states are starting incentive programs. Strengthen your house, get an insurance discount. Alabama has led the way, but programs in other states, like CA, aren't as popular. Here's why: www.npr.org/2025/06/11/n...

How homeowners are saving on insurance by upgrading their houses against disasters

Home insurance is getting pricier as hurricanes and wildfires get worse. States are trying new incentives, encouraging homeowners to retrofit homes against disasters to get an insurance discount.

www.npr.org

4

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

Jeff Brady @jeffbradynews.bsky.social · May 12

Do you need a climate or decarbonization coach? Enough people are having trouble making climate-friendly purchases that companies, nonprofits and agencies are stepping in to help. Here's my @npr.org story: www.npr.org/2025/05/07/n...

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

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.

www.npr.org

6 29 100

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · May 2

Communities around the country were awarded billions in FEMA grants and have spent years planning infrastructure projects to prepare for future disasters. Now, the Trump Administration has cancelled the grants. Rural communities have few other options. On @npr.org today
www.npr.org/2025/05/01/n...

Rural communities were promised millions in disaster funds. Trump is ending it

Rural communities are scrambling after the Trump administration canceled billions in disaster grants. Many were counting on the funds for infrastructure fixes meant to withstand future disasters.

www.npr.org

2 50 90

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Apr 10

Doggles! www.npr.org/2025/04/10/n...

Doggles and dog booties: Anchorage residents prep pets for volcanic explosion

Mount Spurr, which scientists say is likely to erupt in the coming weeks or months, is about 80 miles west of Anchorage. But ash clouds could reach the state's biggest city.

www.npr.org

4 13

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Mar 27

California just released new maps on where homes have to be built with wildfire-resistant materials. But the majority of homes destroyed in the Eaton fire won’t have to use those building codes www.npr.org/2025/03/25/n...

1 2 12

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Mar 26

After the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, some homeowners are being required to rebuild with wildfire building codes. But the majority are not. Here's why - on @npr today www.npr.org/2025/03/25/n...

Why some Los Angeles homes are being built to resist wildfires — and some aren't

California is one of the few states with building codes for wildfire protection, because using fire-resistant materials helps homes survive. Now, more than 500 additional homeowners rebuilding after L...

www.npr.org

10 27

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Mar 24

Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said she's going to eliminate FEMA at a Trump cabinet meeting today. Here's what states say is at stake for them in disasters. www.npr.org/2025/03/21/n...

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared

President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

www.npr.org

20 94 170

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

NPR @npr.org · Mar 21

President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared

President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

www.npr.org

260 670 1.8K

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Mar 21

The Trump administration is pushing states to take over disaster response and preparation. Many say it wouldn't be possible without FEMA. www.npr.org/2025/03/21/n...

Trump wants states to handle disasters. States aren't prepared

President Trump says he's thinking of getting rid of the country's disaster response agency, FEMA. States say they can't replicate what FEMA does on their own.

www.npr.org

10 40 80

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 28

The NOAA firings were done so quickly, staff that manages the central weather forecasting models were scrambling to transfer access to employees who would still remain. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/27/n...

Trump administration layoffs hit NOAA, agency that forecasts weather, hurricanes

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration houses key groups like the National Weather Service. Experts warn the consequences of employee cuts could be drastic.

www.npr.org

1 10 18

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 27

NOAA employees, both current and those affected by the firings, please feel free to get in touch. I'm a climate reporter at NPR who has covered NOAA a long time. I'm on Signal at sommer.55

1 18 38

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 27

Hi @wolfpackwx.bsky.social - I'm a reporter at NPR. If you're up for chatting, I'm at sommer.55 on signal.

3

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 27

HI @rissarwx.bsky.social - I'm a reporter at NPR, if you're up for connecting. I'm on signal at sommer.55 or you can DM me.

4 6 210

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 27

Great episode from @wunc.org about rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. A lot of roads need repair, but how do you design them to withstand the future climate? North Carolina is working on that, something not many communities do after a disaster. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

The road to rebuilding after Helene

Podcast Episode · The Broadside · 02/27/2025 · 19m

podcasts.apple.com

5 17

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

Carbon Brief @carbonbrief.org · Feb 26

WATCH, READ, LISTEN: @npr.org explained the importance of California’s native chaparral brush and how clearing it will not reduce the risk of wildfires.

Why clearing the brush around Los Angeles won't reduce the wildfire danger

After thousands of homes were destroyed, many are looking for ways to make Los Angeles safer from wildfires. But clearing dense shrubs on the hillsides could actually make the fire danger worse.

www.npr.org

2 6 15

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 24

As animals get close to extinction, some are brought into captivity as a last resort. It's not easy to find a way to release them again, but in Hawaii, a rare crow is making its way back to the wild again. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/18/n...

This rare, intelligent species of crow is taking flight in Hawaii again

Hawaiian crows are extinct in the wild and are found nowhere else on Earth. Now, a small group, safeguarded in captivity, has been released in the forests of Maui.

www.npr.org

2 15

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

Danielle Venton @dventon.bsky.social · Feb 21

I am collecting instances of California-based wildfire mitigation projects delayed because of layoffs at US Forest Service, Park Service, BLM. Pls reach out to me if you have tales of certain projects to share: d venton at kqed dot org. Signal: DVenton.09

4 27 36

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

NPR @npr.org · Feb 20

To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.

NPR Exclusive: FEMA pulls back on work to help homes survive hurricanes and floods

To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.

www.npr.org

67 380 1K

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 20

SCOOP: For 25 years, FEMA has helped develop building codes that help homes survive floods and hurricanes. Now, FEMA is pulling back on that work, taking its name off recommendations its experts have written. On @npr.org www.npr.org/2025/02/20/n...

Exclusive: Trump administration drops work on stronger building codes for disasters

To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.

www.npr.org

4 46 62

Reposted by Lauren Sommer

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 17

Hey NOAA, FEMA and federal scientists and staff — I’m a climate reporter at NPR. To share info anonymously, you can reach me on Signal at sommer.55

7 56 170

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 17

Hey NOAA, FEMA and federal scientists and staff — I’m a climate reporter at NPR. To share info anonymously, you can reach me on Signal at sommer.55

7 56 170

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 14

Is it possible to get the link - thanks!

1

Lauren Sommer @lsommer.bsky.social · Feb 11

There's been a lot of discussion after the Los Angeles fires about clearing brush to reduce the fire risk. It's not that simple -- Southern California's chaparral is vastly different than the state's forests. On @npr.org today www.npr.org/2025/02/11/n...

Why clearing the brush around Los Angeles won't reduce the wildfire danger

After thousands of homes were destroyed, many are looking for ways to make Los Angeles safer from wildfires. But clearing dense shrubs on the hillsides could actually make the fire danger worse.

www.npr.org

1 2 4