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Some climate-conscious homeowners are embracing at-home water reuse

Jun 30, 2023
Some conservationists see greywater recycling as the next frontier in sustainable living.
A refrigerator-sized appliance, made by Hydraloop, that recycles gray water, stands next to the washer and dryer in the garage of Justin Fox, in Carlsbad, California, Jan. 24, 2023.
Hart Van Denburg

Carbon accountants help firms keep their climate pledges

Jun 21, 2023
Before companies can cut emissions, they first have to measure their carbon footprint. The new service is in high demand.
“Electricity usage and refrigerant leakage ... are the two main sources of emissions,” says Cooper Elsworth of Watershed, Sweetgreen's carbon accountant. Sweetgreen plans to become carbon neutral this decade.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

The hidden costs of wildfires go beyond putting them out

Jun 9, 2023
Where there’s smoke, there’s a massive increase in costs for health care, commerce, and productivity.
People wear face masks as they arrive to Newark Liberty International Airport amid hazy conditions due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images

More wildfires mean worsening air quality. How do we adapt?

Jun 8, 2023
Some pandemic-related tools get a second life, while investors look at more high-tech solutions.
A person wears a face mask as smoke from Canada wildfires blankets Manhattan on June 7, 2023 in New York City.
David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

The Colorado River water rights deal is a stopgap. What's next?

May 23, 2023
This proposal could save the river system from imminent collapse, but in 2026, the current drought management guidelines will expire.
The Colorado River may lose another 20% of its water in the coming decades because of climate change, said Kyle Roerink of the Great Basin Water Network.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The steel sector is carbon-intensive. "Green steel" could be a game changer.

May 22, 2023
If you use renewable energy to make hydrogen and use the hydrogen to manufacture steel, the process would be friendlier to the environment.
Green hydrogen could be a way to wean raw steel production off coal, said Aaron Bergman of Resources for the Future. One barrier, though, is the limited supply of the substance.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Growing pistachios is a tough business. Here's one couple's story.

May 18, 2023
The Burchams own an orchard in Firebaugh, California. Like other pistachio farmers, they're grappling with a changing climate.
Klytia and Stephen Burcham own Gage Farms in Firebaugh, California. They have more than 18,000 pistachio trees on their orchard, which stretches over 114 acres.
Lily Jamali/Marketplace

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Biden administration seeks to boost carbon capture in power plants

May 11, 2023
The goal is to remove 90% of industry emissions by 2035.
PacifiCorp's Hunter coal fired power pant releases steam as it burns coal outside of Castle Dale, Utah.
George Frey/AFP via Getty Images

Climate change is high on the agenda as the World Bank gets a new president

May 2, 2023
The outgoing World Bank president has been accused of downplaying the risks of fossil fuels.
Former Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga, the U.S. nominee for the World Bank presidency, is expected to bring a new focus on climate change to the institution's programs.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Big banks are succeeding at turning a profit, struggling to meet climate commitments

Apr 27, 2023
Two recent studies show the biggest banks are still not doing enough to meet the goals of the Paris Climate agreement.
If banks over-invest in fossil fuels, "They're going to suffer consequences in terms of profitability later on," said UC Santa Cruz professor Galina Hale.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images