Section
Environment
Climate, energy, conservation and environmental regulation. Rule-making is checked against the Federal Register and scientific claims against the published literature.
Albanese Warns of Super El Niño Hazards in Fiji
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned of a hazardous summer with floods and cyclones due to a super El Niño. Sea levels in the western Pacific are rising at more than twice the global average.
Latest in Environment
Swiss Glaciers Lose 5.5% of Ice Volume in 2026
Swiss glaciers lost 5.5% of their ice volume in 2026, marking the second-largest annual decline on record. Scientists warn that reliance on meltwater is unsustainable as 1,200 smaller glaciers have vanished in 50 years.
EU Ministers Meet in Dublin to Accelerate Electrification Plans
EU energy ministers discussed plans to accelerate the shift from fossil fuels to electricity during a meeting in Dublin. The bloc has spent over 100 billion euros on additional energy imports since the Iran war began.
Palau President Says Two-Thirds of Helen Island Gone
Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. told the U.N. that two-thirds of Helen Island vanished due to rising seas. The U.N. adopted a resolution earlier this week calling for statehood to persist despite land loss.
UN General Assembly Adopts Sea Level Rise Declaration
The UN General Assembly approved the UN Declaration on Sea Level Rise by consensus on September 24, 2026. The measure addresses risks to 770 million people living less than five metres above the high-tide line.
Al Gore Sees 2026 as Climate Tipping Point
Al Gore told reporters that 2026 could mark a positive turning point in global climate action. He cited renewable energy now receiving 65% of worldwide investment as evidence of shifting momentum.
Italy Senate Approves Nuclear Framework With 81 Votes
Italy's Senate approved legislation establishing a legal framework for next-generation nuclear power on September 23, 2026. The measure passed with 81 votes in favor and now requires implementing decrees within 12 months.
France Culture Ministry Finds Gallo-Roman Wall in Paris
The France culture ministry announced a 20-meter wall discovery beneath the Hôtel-Dieu hospital this summer. The find dates between 200BC and 10BC and supports theories about ancient Lutetia.
Ukraine Ministry Reports 13 Million Books Destroyed
The Ukraine Ministry of Culture states Russian strikes destroyed 13 million books this summer. Officials plan a support package including grants and state book purchases.
Mediterranean Children Face More Extreme Fire Weather Days
A new study projects children born in 2025 in the Mediterranean will face up to 473 additional days of extreme fire weather.
Cuba Grid Collapses for Sixth Time This Year
Cuba's national power grid failed on September 18, marking the sixth nationwide blackout this year. Restoration efforts returned electricity to half of Havana customers by Saturday.
Study Links Nepal Glacier Collapse to Climate Change
World Weather Attribution found climate change destabilized the Langtang Lirung glacier in August 2026. The collapse killed over 1,300 people and caused $5 billion in damages.
Wildfires Burn 200 Metres From Rangkong Station
Fires in Indonesia burn within 200 metres of the Rangkong research station. Scientists warn the flames could reach the main Cabang Panti facility in 20 days.
Pollution Rises After U.S. Embassy Monitors End
Air pollution increased across 46 cities after the U.S. ended embassy monitoring in March 2025. Researchers attribute the rise to the loss of public data that previously held polluters accountable.
Iranian Rial Hits Record Low as Inflation Soars
The Iranian rial fell to a record low in early September 2026 while food inflation exceeded 127 percent. Families in Tehran face severe economic pressure as petrol prices rise and trade blockades limit imports.
Rocky Mountain Bear Conflicts Rise as Drought Reduces Food
Wildlife officials report increased black bear conflicts across the Rocky Mountains due to drought reducing natural food sources.
Anak Krakatau Eruption Closes Six Indonesian Airports
Volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau forced the closure of six airports in Indonesia on Sunday. The disruptions grounded 516 flights and stranded approximately 22,800 passengers.
Tens of Thousands Rally in Zagreb for Gospic Waste Cleanup
Protesters gathered in Zagreb on Saturday to demand urgent removal of 37,000 tons of hazardous waste near Gospic. Organizers called for a binding cleanup plan within 20 days and full waste removal in three months.
Nepal Flood Death Toll Reaches Over 1,200 as 4,200 Remain Missing
Authorities report over 1,200 deaths and more than 4,200 missing after catastrophic floods struck Nepal on August 26. Destroyed infrastructure has increased hospital travel times from 10 minutes to 10 hours.
Indonesia Fires Send Haze to Three Nations
Wildfires in Indonesia have sent hazardous haze into Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Health officials recorded over 50,000 respiratory infection cases linked to the smoke.
UNEP Report Says 1.5C Limit Will Be Exceeded Soon
The United Nations Environment Programme states the 1.5C warming threshold will be surpassed within years. Halving emissions by 2035 remains the best path to limit long-term risks.
Rescue Teams Work to Free 100 Hydropower Workers Trapped in Nepal Tunnels After Glacier Collapse
Rescue crews are working to free about 100 hydropower workers trapped in tunnels after a glacier collapse in Nepal. The disaster knocked out 700 megawatts of power and left over 900 workers missing.
Nepal Flood Death Toll Surpasses 1,003 After Glacier Collapse
Authorities report 1,003 deaths and over 3,915 missing after floods hit northern Nepal. The Nepali Army deployed 9,200 troops as international teams join rescue efforts.
Morocco Sardine Landings Drop 46 Percent
Morocco sardine landings fell 46 percent to 525,000 tons from 2022 to 2024. Climate change and rising fuel costs drove the decline in the top global supplier.