Support the fact-based journalism you rely on with a donation to Marketplace today. Give Now!

How does the weather affect what we buy?

Sep 20, 2021
Some businesses are turning to weather analytics to proactively prepare for the potentially more volatile conditions resulting from climate change.
In 2020, the U.S. had a record 22 climate disasters with losses exceeding $1 billion each, government data shows. Bill Kirk, CEO of Weather Trends International, advises companies on adapting to changing conditions.
Money Sharma/AFP via Getty Images

Restaurants in colder areas face new challenges in outdoor dining as winter approaches

Oct 9, 2020
Outdoor dining has been a lifeline for many restaurants during the pandemic. But now? Some may need to rethink how to keep patrons and food warm.
Those in colder areas will either have to find a heating solution or could be forced to shut down.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

Repeated flooding leaves small North Carolina town looking for answers about its future

Nov 6, 2018
The Atlantic hurricane season officially has a few more weeks to go, but already this year has been deadly and destructive. The mainland U.S. took a hit from Hurricane Michael in October and Hurricane Florence the month before. Florence devastated many parts of North Carolina, including areas far from the coast. For many small communities, […]
A roadway is flooded by remnants of Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 11, 2016 in Fair Bluff, North Carolina. The town was devastated again by Hurricane Florence in 2018. 

A new wind turbine inspired by a palm tree, big as the Empire State Building

Oct 22, 2018
Today's land-based turbines produce 5 megawatts of power. This new one could produce 10 times more.
Wind turbines towering over deserts usually produce 5 megawatts of power each.
Melanie Conner/Getty Images

A new wind turbine inspired by a palm tree, big as the Empire State Building

Oct 22, 2018
Today's land-based turbines produce 5 megawatts of power. This new one could produce 10 times more.
Wind turbines towering over deserts usually produce 5 megawatts of power each.
Melanie Conner/Getty Images

Duke Energy CEO on the future of energy

Oct 9, 2018
The company's big challenge is keeping pace with technology.
Lynn Good, president and CEO of Duke Energy, speaks at the KPMG Women's Leadership Summit in 2015 in Harrison, New York.
Scott Halleran/Getty Images for KPMG

Hurricane and political seasons collide on The Weather Channel

Sep 14, 2018
Viewers of The Weather Channel may have noticed a lot of campaign ads this week as the midterm elections approach and more people tuned in to track Hurricane Florence. According to NCC Media, the number of political advertisers on the channel grew from 59 last week to 83 this week. “It’s a smart media strategy,” […]
A tattered U.S. flag flies as the outer bands of Hurricane Florence make landfall Friday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
ALEX EDELMAN/AFP/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

A year after the floods, Texas mulls lessons of Hurricane Harvey

Aug 24, 2018
Greater Houston area residents are voting on a bond to fund flood mitigation.
Residents evacuate an apartment complex in west Houston where high water coming from the Addicks Reservoir flooded the area after Hurricane Harvey on Aug. 30, 2017.
Photo by Erich Schlegel/Getty Images

How storm chasers turn tornadoes into tourist attractions

Jun 28, 2018
A growing industry is offering a front row seat to extreme weather.
Dylan Johnson for Marketplace

Driverless cars have a hard time in snow, too

Jan 9, 2018
They're sort of like teenage drivers who grew up in Southern California.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images