climate change
Americans are facing rising grocery bills, with food prices increasing by 0.5% from July to August—the fastest jump since late 2022. This is causing many to cut back on non-essential spending. Three key factors are driving grocery inflation: Tariffs from the Trump administration, especially on imported goods like Brazilian coffee, have raised costs. Climate change has disrupted […]
China is facing its largest-ever outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus that causes fever and joint pain. Over 7,000 cases have been reported, mostly in Foshan near Hong Kong. The disease, usually nonfatal, can cause severe joint pain for months. While there’s no specific treatment, symptoms like fever and muscle pain can be managed. Two […]
A massive heat dome affecting over 90 million Americans is amplifying air pollution, posing a “double whammy” health threat. Scientists warn that extreme heat can trap polluted air, preventing its dispersion, and climate change-driven wildfires worsen the situation by releasing dangerous particulate matter. Ground-level ozone and PM2.5 levels rise during such events, triggering respiratory, cardiovascular, […]
With extreme heat now a leading cause of weather-related deaths, New York State is stepping up its public health response by launching a new interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard. Developed by the Department of Health in partnership with the National Weather Service and the NYS Mesonet, the dashboard uses a five-color scale to forecast […]
A new forecast from the World Meteorological Organization and the UK Met Office warns that Earth is on track to face several consecutive years of record-breaking heat. With an 86% chance that one of the next five years will exceed the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Climate Accord—and a 70% chance the five-year average […]
Rochester is emerging as a quiet refuge for Americans fleeing climate disasters like wildfires and hurricanes. Residents from California and Puerto Rico cite affordable housing, progressive climate policies, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and abundant water as key reasons for relocating. Though there is no clear demographic trend yet, experts predict climate migration will rise in coming decades. […]
Lake Suwa in central Japan has long experienced the Miwatari, a sacred ice ridge believed to be the trail of a god. However, the phenomenon has not appeared in seven consecutive winters, a worrying sign attributed to climate change. Records of the Miwatari date back to 1443, making it one of the world’s longest-running natural […]
In the past week, the Southeast has experienced over 40 trillion gallons of rain from Hurricane Helene and an additional storm, leading to “apocolyptic” flooding. This unprecedented deluge, which experts described as “astronomical,” caused severe damage and resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people. The rain, which hit hardest in Georgia, Tennessee, the […]
Denmark will become the first country to impose a carbon tax on livestock emissions starting in 2030, targeting cows, sheep, and pigs to reduce greenhouse gases, particularly methane, a potent contributor to global warming. The tax aims to cut Danish greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels by 2030. Initially, farmers will pay 300 […]
The USDA has recently updated its plant hardiness map for the first time in 11 years, reflecting significant shifts in gardening zones across the United States due to climate change. Rochester, NY’s hardiness zone has shifted from 6a to 6b. This change offers gardeners new planting possibilities but also requires careful consideration of what plants […]
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