Climate change is poised to thaw and undermine the soil beneath ConocoPhillips’ proposed Willow oil drilling project on Alaska’s North Slope, making its rigs and roads vulnerable to the same global warming the project will be aggravating.
Wildfires are increasingly compromising U.S. water systems, introducing toxins from burned forests and damaged infrastructure into reservoirs and household supplies.
Over 60% of the U.S. drinking water supply comes from forested areas vulnerable to wildfire contamination.
Post-fire runoff containing ash, debris and dissolved organic matter can overwhelm reservoirs, increasing toxic algae blooms and water treatment challenges.
Damaged water systems, including melted plastic pipes, can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contaminating residential water supplies long after fires are extinguished.
Key quote:
“We’re destabilizing [water] systems and we don’t even know in what way and how.”
— Newsha Ajami, chief strategic development officer for research in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs
Why this matters:
Megafires are burning larger areas and releasing more harmful materials, straining water treatment systems and exposing millions to potential toxins. Communities must adapt by investing in fire-resilient infrastructure and proactive water safety measures to address worsening fire seasons fueled by climate change.
BlackRock is the latest major financial firm to leave a climate-focused investment alliance as Republican political pressure mounts, raising concerns about the future of green finance commitments.
BlackRock announced its withdrawal from the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative, citing legal scrutiny and "confusion" over its climate policies.
The firm insists it will still offer climate-focused investment options despite leaving the alliance.
Major U.S. banks, including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, have also exited climate coalitions under political pressure and legal challenges from Republican officials.
Key quote:
“Our memberships in some of these organizations have caused confusion regarding BlackRock’s practices and subjected us to legal inquiries from various public officials.”
— BlackRock statement
Why this matters:
Financial firms play a key role in steering investments toward climate action. The growing political backlash may deter public climate commitments, potentially slowing transparency on climate risks as regulatory pressure in the U.S. decreases.
As wildfires devastate Southern California, claiming lives and homes, state officials face intensifying political criticism from President-elect Trump and his allies, who blame Democrats for the crisis.
At least 24 people are dead and dozens more are missing as wildfires spread, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds expected to continue through midweek.
President-elect Trump, Elon Musk and top Republicans have blamed California’s leadership, spreading misinformation about firefighting efforts and diversity programs.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has deployed additional National Guard members and eased regulations to speed rebuilding, while local officials brace for federal aid uncertainties under Trump’s administration.
Key quote:
“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.”
— Donald Trump, via Truth Social
Why this matters: Natural disasters are increasingly becoming political battlegrounds, with climate change exacerbating the scale of destruction. The federal response to emergencies can influence public trust and shape long-term disaster preparedness. Political misinformation can also erode confidence in government actions during crises.
The U.S. power grid urgently needs expansion to meet rising energy demands and support economic growth, but the incoming Trump administration’s stance on clean energy and federal initiatives could hinder progress.
Federal grid expansion plans made progress under the Biden administration, with $64 billion in transmission projects, but experts say far more investment is needed.
A new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order mandates 20-year grid planning to improve reliability, though it faces potential legal challenges from Republican-led states.
Republican-backed proposals could limit federal involvement in grid upgrades, favoring fossil fuel infrastructure and curtailing interregional transmission projects.
Key quote:
“We can’t achieve energy dominance in this country if we can’t get power to where it needs to go.”
— Tyler Duvelius, director of external affairs for the Conservative Energy Network
Why this matters:
Delays in grid expansion could lead to higher energy costs, grid instability and economic slowdowns, particularly as demand for electricity surges with new data centers, factories and extreme weather events straining outdated infrastructure.
Wildfire smoke, intensified by climate change, is becoming a leading global source of deadly air pollution, contributing to hundreds of thousands of premature deaths each year.
Wildfire smoke contains hazardous pollutants like particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and lead, which are linked to respiratory, cardiovascular and other diseases.
Recent fires in Los Angeles elevated air quality to dangerous levels, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.
Studies suggest that wildfire pollution has reversed progress in reducing harmful air particles, with mortality rates from wildfire-related pollution projected to rise significantly.
Key quote:
“We’re breathing in this toxic brew of volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and hexavalent chromium. All of it is noxious.”
— Dr. Lisa Patel, pediatrician and executive director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health
Why this matters:
Air pollution from wildfires threatens public health even in regions far from fire zones. Prolonged exposure to smoke may lead to long-term health complications, requiring urgent measures to address climate change and protect at-risk communities.
The Gitanyow First Nation in British Columbia is asserting its sovereignty through a groundbreaking court case, hoping to gain full title over its territory to combat climate change and protect salmon habitats.
The Gitanyow First Nation is seeking Aboriginal title to its 6,200-square-kilometer territory, a legal precedent that could strengthen Indigenous governance over land and natural resources.
Climate change has disrupted salmon spawning patterns, with warming waters causing some habitats to dwindle while others temporarily thrive.
The nation’s Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area declaration emphasizes blending traditional knowledge with modern science to safeguard ecosystems.
Key quote:
“We hope that British Columbia and Canada will come to their senses and agree we can’t blow this another time. Let’s protect it now.”
— Joel Starlund, Gitanyow executive director
Why this matters:
Salmon are more than fish here — they’re cultural keystones, food sources and symbols of resilience. But warming waters are disrupting their lifecycles, jeopardizing both biodiversity and the Gitanyow’s way of life. By reclaiming their territory, the Gitanyow aim to ensure long-term environmental and economic sustainability, setting a powerful example of Indigenous-led climate action. Read more: Protecting Indigenous children means protecting water.
The year 2025 is expected to bring pivotal developments for climate policy with Donald Trump’s return to the White House, new national climate targets and a potentially influential court ruling on global climate obligations.
Trump’s plans to withdraw the U.S. from key climate agreements may impact international climate efforts, though domestic clean energy growth could remain strong due to bipartisan investments.
February marks the deadline for updated national climate goals under the Paris Agreement, with a focus on deeper emissions cuts amid rising global temperatures.
A critical climate ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is expected, which could strengthen accountability for state-level emissions reductions.
Key quote:
“This [ICJ] advisory opinion has the potential to establish a global benchmark for climate accountability and reinforce the connection between human rights, sustainability and environmental protection.”
— Joana Setzer, associate professor at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
Why this matters:
Extreme weather, record-breaking temperatures and rising emissions in 2024 highlight the urgency of climate action. Court rulings, policy shifts and new agreements in 2025 could determine the pace of the transition to renewables and the enforcement of international climate commitments.
Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.
Legal and industry experts say there are uncertainties about the future of hydrogen hubs, a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s clean energy push.
