News & Commentary

Off the Rails

February 17, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Oil trains keep jumping the tracks, setting towns ablaze, and contaminating water supplies. Here’s why.

California, Here Dry Come!

February 13, 2015 Latest NewsCaliforniaBrian Palmer

A new study shows that the current California drought is nothing compared to what’s coming.

Too Hot to Handle

February 9, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Heat waves are becoming more frequent and deadly (suddenly winter seems a lot less threatening).

Six More Weeks of Subsidies

February 9, 2015 Latest NewsBrian Palmer

The president wants to end fossil fuel subsidies—again. It must be Groundhog Day.

Iceland is Rising

February 4, 2015 Latest NewsInternationalBrian Palmer

Literally. Because of climate change.

Making Heads and Tails of It

January 30, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

There’s some guesswork in climate modeling, and a new study proves that’s OK.

Uncle Sam Wants You…to Vacate the Premises

January 29, 2015 Latest NewsBrian Palmer

Legislators are addicted to taking property through eminent domain. Keystone XL is no exception.

Drill, Maybe, Drill

January 27, 2015 Latest NewsEastBrian Palmer

President Obama just proposed opening the East Coast to offshore drilling. This is a terrible idea.

No Deal in Delhi

January 26, 2015 Latest NewsIndiaBrian Palmer

What Obama’s trip to India meant for the country’s plans to combat climate change.

The Dept. of Solar Radiation Management

January 25, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalBrian Palmer

Is attempting to block the sun’s heat a good idea—or a reflection on our pathetic efforts to cut carbon emissions?

Does Science Get a Vote?

January 22, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

The Senate’s debate on climate change yesterday was farcical.

The Importance of Seeing Ernst

January 20, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Who’s that giving the Republican response to the State of the Union? Joni Ernst, a climate-denying senator who wants to abolish the EPA. Sigh.

The State of Our Union Is Hot

January 20, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

What the president said about climate change in his address to Congress.

Demolishing the Ivory Tower

January 9, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Buying ivory legally requires two PhDs and a JD. Don’t even try it.

Coal Ash, Fly Ash, Bottom Ash, and Boiler Slag

January 9, 2015 ExplainerUnited States, InternationalBrian Palmer

A top-to-bottom tour of fossil fuel sludge.

Coal Miner's Slaughter

January 6, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Living in a coal town is hazardous to your health.

Pass on the Pipe, Mr. President

January 6, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Five reasons President Obama should carry out his threat to veto the Keystone XL pipeline.

One Fish, Two Fish—Why So Blue, Fish?

January 5, 2015 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Rising stream temperatures in the Chesapeake Bay region are depriving fish of habitat and oxygen.

Greenery and Justice for All

December 31, 2014 PerspectivesUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Environmental pioneer James Gustave Speth says the fights for democracy and nature should join forces.

Will 2015 Be the Year of the Climate?

December 30, 2014 Latest NewsUnited StatesBrian Palmer

Next year, we could determine the future of our civilization.