Why the cost of coffee beans is climbing

May 27, 2024
Higher global demand for the drink and climate change's effect on supply are behind the upward trend.
A coffee producer in Minas Gerais, Brazil, holds up a handful of robusta beans. Vietnam and Brazil, the top growers of robusta, are suffering droughts. 
Douglas Magno/AFP via Getty Images

The Mexico City water crisis, explained

May 27, 2024
The most populated North American metro area is facing a "Day Zero" scenario, and longstanding issues with infrastructure and water management are part of the problem.
"One of the things that really jumps out to me about Mexico City is the way this is exacerbating inequality," said Vox's Caroline Houck. "There's obvious tensions around who does get water, whose pipes regularly work, but also when they don't work, who has the money to pay for that increasingly expensive use of water."
Alfredo Estrella/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. banks remain the world's largest funders of fossil fuels

May 16, 2024
Banks have invested trillions of dollars since the Paris Agreement went into effect.
JPMorgan Chase was the number one fossil fuel financier in the world last year, according to the 15th Banking on Climate Chaos report.
Chris Hondros/Getty Images

Higher rates may not solve California's property insurance woes

May 6, 2024
With climate change hiking insurer costs, the state may allow catastrophe modeling as a stopgap, says former Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones.
"As climate change  has driven more frequent and severe weather-related events, it's killing people, damaging property and causing more insurance losses," says Dave Jones, a former state insurance commissioner.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

Climate change is the focus in shared curriculum for business schools

"We can't really address the problem without engaging business at full scale," says Columbia Business School's Bruce Usher.
The Open Climate Curriculum is a free, shareable resource for educators to teach business students about the climate crisis.
John Moore/Getty Images

Electricity bills could hit your pocketbook even more this summer

Apr 10, 2024
The Energy Information Association expects electricity demand to rise by 4% this summer, anticipating that it’ll be even hotter than last year.
The EIA expects electricity demand to rise by 4% this summer, anticipating that it’ll be even hotter than last year. Many people will likely be running their ACs more to cope with the heat.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Hydropower production took a hit in 2023

Mar 28, 2024
Regions that depend on it are having to look to other sources of energy — which can cost more.
In May 2023, California's Lake Oroville reservoir rose to 100% capacity due to record-setting rains and heavy snowfall. Early, rapid runoff can make it harder to store water and generate hydroelectricity year-round.
George Rose/Getty Images

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Rising insurance costs are making homeownership even more expensive

Mar 21, 2024
Climate risk and inflation are making insurance harder to find and mortgages harder to afford.
The main reason for higher home insurance costs is climate change, which is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
Ricardo Arduengo/AFP via Getty Images

The case for broader investment in climate resilience

Private equity investor Jay Koh says more than 800 companies in the public markets offer solutions that create financial opportunity.
Climate change increases risks we already understand, like wildfires, drought and supply chain disruptions, says Jay Koh of the Lightsmith Group.
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Geothermal energy could be on its way to Chicago’s South Side

Mar 19, 2024
The key to building out the low-carbon energy source could be the city’s trademark alleys.
Retta Ford, left, and daughter Debra Gay attend a community meeting about geothermal power. Ford asked whether the project could affect the foundations of homes.
Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco/WBEZ