Over 1,000 NOAA employees, including experts in marine animal tracking and climate data analysis, have been laid off, severely impacting the agency’s ability to monitor and predict crucial ocean changes. These cuts come at a time of record-breaking ocean temperatures and instability in key ocean currents, threatening accurate weather forecasting, fisheries management, and public safety. The loss of expertise, particularly among early-career scientists, jeopardizes long-term research and US leadership in ocean science, potentially benefiting other nations like China. This diminished capacity for ocean monitoring could lead to inadequate disaster preparedness and economic losses.
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The devastating Oklahoma wildfires have resulted in a tragic loss of life, with four confirmed deaths and 142 injuries reported. This is a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the urgent need for effective disaster preparedness and response. The scale of the devastation is immense, with over 400 homes and structures damaged across the state. This widespread destruction has left countless families displaced and facing an uncertain future. The sheer number of homes affected underscores the urgent need for immediate aid and long-term recovery plans.
The fires have burned over 170,000 acres of land, leaving behind a landscape scarred by flames and ash.… Continue reading
A powerful storm system, bringing tornadoes, wildfires, and dust storms, resulted in at least 40 deaths across seven states. Fifty-two tornadoes were reported, with significant damage and fatalities concentrated in Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Oklahoma experienced widespread wildfires fueled by high winds, while a massive dust storm reduced visibility across multiple states. The death toll is expected to rise as damage assessments continue.
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Severe storms caused widespread devastation across the U.S., resulting in at least 17 deaths and significant property damage. Missouri was hardest hit, with at least 11 fatalities and numerous injuries from tornadoes that destroyed homes. Arkansas also reported three deaths and numerous injuries, prompting states of emergency declarations in both Arkansas and Georgia. The storms further ignited more than 130 wildfires in Oklahoma, resulting in widespread destruction, and caused power outages across several states.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney swiftly abolished the federal consumer carbon tax via order-in-council, effective April 1st, fulfilling a campaign promise. This action addresses Conservative criticisms and aims to alleviate financial strain on Canadians, though rebates will continue until April 15th. The move follows criticism from the Conservative leader, who argues that legislative action is required to fully repeal the tax. British Columbia also plans to eliminate its own carbon tax through provincial legislation.
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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a sweeping rollback of environmental regulations, aiming to overturn more than a dozen rules concerning emissions, pollution, and the scientific basis for climate action. This plan, described as ending the “Green New Scam,” seeks to reduce regulatory costs and boost business growth by reassessing rules impacting oil, gas, and coal industries. Key amongst the targeted regulations is the 2009 endangerment finding that establishes greenhouse gases as a threat, a decision environmental advocates vow to challenge legally. The move has sparked outrage from environmental groups and some EPA staff, who deem it unprecedented in scale and potentially damaging to public health.
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The FBI, reportedly at the behest of the Trump administration, is investigating recipients of EPA climate grants for potential fraud, effectively criminalizing climate science work. Nonprofits focused on environmental justice and green initiatives are among those targeted. This action is characterized as targeted harassment, potentially originating from EPA director Lee Zeldin, who concurrently eliminated the agency’s environmental justice offices. The investigation concerns grantees who were vetted and approved under existing EPA programs.
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The US military recently canceled a series of climate change studies, a move described by the Pentagon chief as eliminating “crap.” This decision is baffling, given the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change and its profound implications for national security. It seems incredibly short-sighted to dismiss research that could be crucial in preparing the military for the very real challenges posed by a changing climate.
The Pentagon itself has, for years, acknowledged climate change as a major threat. The potential consequences are far-reaching and deeply concerning. Changes in weather patterns directly impact agricultural output, leading to food shortages and price hikes, triggering civil unrest and potentially even regime collapse – a pattern observed in various regions, including Syria.… Continue reading
A new study reveals that microplastics significantly reduce photosynthesis in various plant species, impacting crop yields by 4-13.5% annually over the next 25 years. This reduction in photosynthesis, averaging 7-12%, could severely impact global food security and exacerbate climate change by hindering carbon sequestration. The study underscores the urgent need for a global treaty on plastic pollution, as even a 13% reduction in environmental microplastics could mitigate photosynthesis loss by 30%. Failure to act will lead to far-reaching ecological damage.
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Driven by dry conditions and strong winds, wildfires are raging across the Carolinas, prompting evacuations and a state of emergency in South Carolina. The Carolina Forest Fire near Myrtle Beach has expanded to 1,200 acres with zero containment, while another large fire near Tryon and Saluda, North Carolina, has consumed 400 acres. Over 175 wildfires have burned 4,200 acres across South Carolina, fueled by dry vegetation and a statewide burn ban. While winds are expected to lessen, the ongoing dry conditions maintain a high wildfire risk.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood