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Colorado Parks and Wildlife Euthanizes Record Number of Bears Amid Increased Human Encounters

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Euthanizes Record Number of Bears Amid Increased Human Encounters

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has euthanized 294 black bears this year by August 31, a significant increase compared to 83 during the same period last year. This surge in euthanizations is a direct response to a record number of human-bear encounters, primarily driven by widespread wildfire and drought conditions. These environmental factors have severely limited bears' natural food sources, such as berries and acorns, forcing them to forage in more populated areas. Bears require approximately 20,000 calories daily to prepare for hibernation, and the scarcity of food has led to a "drastic increase" in conflicts, with 8,672 reported sightings and incidents this year, up from 3,680 last year. Incidents involving property damage and bears accessing human food sources have also risen by 56% in Pitkin County. CPW employs an escalating scale of response, with euthanasia reserved for bears involved in attacks, repeated home invasions, or severe injuries, such as those sustained from vehicle collisions.

New England Winter Forecast Predicts Warmer Temperatures and Increased Coastal Storms Due to El Niño

New England Winter Forecast Predicts Warmer Temperatures and Increased Coastal Storms Due to El Niño

New England is projected to experience a warmer and wetter winter than usual, primarily influenced by a strong El Niño event. Forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Old Farmer's Almanac, and the Farmers' Almanac generally agree on this trend, although they differ on specific precipitation types and amounts. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, which leverages decadal trends and climate patterns like El Niño, anticipates the northern half of the U.S. to be much warmer than average, leading to more coastal storms in New England. The Farmers' Almanac also emphasizes more coastal storms with a mix of snow, sleet, and rain. In contrast, the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts a mostly mild and dry winter for most of New England, with some colder and snowier conditions in the interior Northeast. Overall, the consensus points to a shift from the colder winter experienced last year to one with more rain, ice, and slush, particularly in coastal areas, with the best chances for near-no...

Duluth's Tree Canopy Declines While Street Tree Population Increases Amidst Emerald Ash Borer Spread

Duluth's Tree Canopy Declines While Street Tree Population Increases Amidst Emerald Ash Borer Spread

Duluth, Minnesota, has experienced a 4.5% reduction in its overall tree canopy coverage over the past decade, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Community Tree Canopy Viewer. This decline is largely attributed to the spread of the invasive emerald ash borer beetle, first detected in Minnesota in 2009, which has devastated ash tree populations. Rachel Morice, an urban and community forestry project specialist at the DNR, noted that this trend of canopy decline is prevalent across many cities surveyed in the state. Despite the decrease in overall canopy, Duluth saw a 2% increase in its street tree population between 2010 and 2020. City Forester Clark Christenson explained that while many mature ash trees with large crowns have been removed, the city has actively replanted with a more diverse array of species. The DNR tool combines aerial data from 2013 and 2023 for canopy coverage with on-the-ground counts of street trees from 2010 and 2020, covering over 300 communit...

New Study Predicts Extra Month of Heat Stress for 620 Million Children Due to Climate Change

New Study Predicts Extra Month of Heat Stress for 620 Million Children Due to Climate Change

A recent study published in the journal Science Advances indicates that 620 million children aged 0 to 9 will experience an additional month of heat stress annually once the Earth reaches a 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold. This humid heat stress disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries in the Global South, which also have some of the youngest populations globally. The United Nations previously reported that the world is likely to overshoot the 1.5 degrees Celsius target set by the Paris Climate Accords. Researchers utilized population data from climate models and attribution science to pinpoint climate change-related causes in local ecosystems, focusing on humid heat, which is considered more dangerous than dry heat due to its impact on the body's ability to cool down through sweating. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat dangers as their bodies heat up faster and their nervous systems and sweat glands are still developing, potentially leading to learning and developmental ...

Heat-Related Deaths Significantly Undercounted in U.S., Investigation Reveals

Heat-Related Deaths Significantly Undercounted in U.S., Investigation Reveals

A joint investigation by NPR and Boston University has found that heat-related deaths in the U.S. are drastically undercounted, with the actual number being approximately five times higher than official federal records. While federal data indicates an average of about 1,700 heat-related deaths annually between 2018 and 2025, the investigation estimates the true figure to be around 9,000. This undercounting is attributed to several factors, primarily that heat often exacerbates existing health conditions rather than being the sole cause of death. Consequently, its role is frequently omitted from death certificates, even when it is a significant contributing factor. The case of Adam Willson, who died in an overheated home in Tucson, Arizona, illustrates this issue; despite his mother's belief that heat contributed to his death, his death certificate listed 'Unknown natural causes.' Medical professionals often face challenges in conclusively linking heat to a death, and unless explicitly sought out, this conn...

Wildfire Smoke Impacts Air Quality Across U.S.

Wildfire Smoke Impacts Air Quality Across U.S.

Wildfire smoke has become a significant concern across the United States, with recent events highlighting its widespread impact. The Spokane Complex fires in early August blanketed Washington, Oregon, and Idaho in smoke, while Canadian wildfires in July caused poor air quality across the Midwest and East Coast. According to Redfin, nearly all regions in the U.S. are susceptible to smoke or smog at some point. Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather noted that wildfire smoke does not respect state lines, emphasizing the challenges of climate migration. Even areas considered low-risk for air quality issues are not immune, as smoke from fires hundreds of miles away can affect them. This trend has led to increased awareness of air quality and its influence on relocation decisions.

NPR Investigation Reveals Heat-Related Deaths Significantly Underreported in U.S.

NPR Investigation Reveals Heat-Related Deaths Significantly Underreported in U.S.

A new investigation conducted by NPR in partnership with Boston University has found that extreme heat is responsible for thousands more deaths in the United States annually than official records indicate. The study highlights a significant undercounting of heat-related fatalities, suggesting that the true toll of hot weather on American lives is far greater than previously understood. This discrepancy arises because many deaths indirectly caused by heat, such as those from cardiovascular events exacerbated by high temperatures, are often attributed to other causes on death certificates. The investigation utilized scientific methodologies to arrive at a more accurate estimate, emphasizing that heat is not merely an inconvenience but a deadly environmental factor. The findings underscore a critical gap in public health data and the understanding of heat's impact on mortality across the nation. This research aims to provide a clearer picture of the public health crisis posed by rising temperatures.

Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Pacific island nations seek to turn geopolitics into funding to offset climate change harm

Stormy weather can send the Pacific Ocean flooding into people's homes in small, remote island nations

Forecasters Warn of 'Super El Niño' Bringing Severe Weather to U.S.

Forecasters Warn of 'Super El Niño' Bringing Severe Weather to U.S.

Climate forecasters are issuing urgent warnings about a powerful El Niño climate pattern, dubbed a 'super El Niño,' which is expected to bring severe floods and droughts across the United States. Officials from the World Meteorological Organization, including Celeste Saulo, indicate that this El Niño could be stronger than any recorded since monitoring began. El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon characterized by abnormally warm Pacific Ocean temperatures along the equator, which then influence global weather patterns. This particular El Niño is projected to peak in November and December, with impacts extending into next year, potentially making this year or next the hottest on record globally. In the U.S., the northern half is expected to experience drier conditions, exacerbating existing droughts in the inner Mountain West, while the southern half could face more intense rain and flooding.

CAP Board Authorizes Legal Action Against Federal Authorities Over Colorado River Water Cuts

CAP Board Authorizes Legal Action Against Federal Authorities Over Colorado River Water Cuts

The Central Arizona Project (CAP) board has authorized its general counsel to take legal action against federal authorities if necessary, in response to proposed cuts in Colorado River water allocations. This decision comes as Arizona faces significant reductions in its share of river water, with the CAP Canal, which supplies water to the Phoenix and Tucson areas, potentially seeing its flows severely curtailed. CAP officials warn that under the worst-case scenario of a 10-year framework, the canal could go dry. The board's move aims to protect the water supply of the Central Arizona Project and maintain flexibility in responding to sudden or changing events. Legal actions could include intervening in existing lawsuits, such as one filed by Nevada against the federal plan, or initiating independent litigation related to the federal record of decision or the Law of the River. Additionally, the CAP board approved a deal to purchase approximately 9,000 acre-feet of water from the Colorado River Indian Tribes ...

Maine Drought Task Force Warns of Worsening Conditions, Matching Last Year's Severity

Maine Drought Task Force Warns of Worsening Conditions, Matching Last Year's Severity

The Maine Drought Task Force has issued a warning that drought conditions in the state are worsening and are on track to match the severity experienced last year. Data indicates that Maine never fully recovered from the previous fall's drought, leaving the state in a precarious position. The task force, comprising members from state and federal agencies, convened for the first time this year to discuss weather conditions and other drought symptoms. Peter Rogers, co-chair of the task force and director of the Maine Emergency Management Agency, noted that the current conditions were anticipated, stating, 'I heard somebody say last year’s drought affected this year’s drought, and that’s absolutely the case.' The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows only 4% of Maine without drought conditions, with 22% abnormally dry, 60% in moderate drought, and 14% in severe drought. The Maine Forest Service, however, reported low wildfire concerns due to shorter days, cooler nights, and improved humidity recoveries.

US embassy issues health alert for Cuba amid oil blockade, sanctions

US embassy issues health alert for Cuba amid oil blockade, sanctions

By Dave Sherwood HAVANA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - The U.S. embassy in Havana issued a health alert for Cuba on Friday, warning travelers and residents of a spike in intestinal illnesses and diarrhea caused by failing water and electricity supply, even as the Trump administration continued to hold back