An economist's 'answer to everything.' Hint: It takes nature

Economist Partha Dasgupta takes issue with our failure to account for the cost of Earth's destruction

Partha Dasgupta is a Cambridge University economist who has criticized politicians and economists for not including the cost of Earth's destruction when tallying things like economic growth.

This engaging video featuring Dasgupta and Danish actor Alexander Skarsgård boils his 600-page treatise down to five minutes.

Stanford University biologist Paul Ehrlich says "watching this is likely your mind's best use of five minutes this week."

The bottom line: We have to start accounting for Nature.

Not doing so, Skarsgård notes in the video, is like using only the goals your team scores to assess a soccer game. You might have an impressive number, but you have no idea if your team is winning or losing.

Worth your time....

A wind turbine towering over a forest

Blowin’ in the wind: how Nordic countries made electricity free

As wind and hydropower flood Nordic grids, electricity prices are plunging and offering a glimpse of a cheaper energy future.
A row of wind turbines on dry hills

Wyoming electric utility dumps wind and solar in long-term planning

PacifiCorp’s previous upward trajectory for renewable energy will flatline beyond 2027 while its forecasted greenhouse emissions will rise.

An offshore oil rig with the rising sun behind it

Opinion: Why Pete Hegseth's war on the Endangered Species Act is so misguided

The Trump administration argues that it needs exemptions to the Endangered Species Act to extract more oil form the Gulf of Mexico when it’s already extracting record amounts.

Computer generated 3D illustration with oil pumps, solar panels and wind turbines.
Credit: MIRO3D/BigStock Photo ID: 147195269

This Ohio county put a ban on wind and solar. Will voters reverse it?

Richland County blocked large-scale renewables in most townships. Voters now have a rare opportunity to overturn that policy at the ballot box.
Sun shining through a red, hazy, heatwave

Research finds heat exposure plays a big role in suicide risk

Utah has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation and it turns out heat and pollution may be playing a bigger role than previously assumed.
IMF International Monetary Fund logo. 3d illustration
Credit: maxxyustas/BigStock Photo ID: 324871312

‘Can’t make a squeak’: Trump’s fossil fuel push puts IMF, World Bank on defensive

International financial institutions want to help countries achieve goals to move off imported oil and gas. The Trump administration would rather they don't.
climate demonstrator in a crowd wearing cardboard sign on back that reads "listen to the science!")
Credit: Mika Baumeister/Unsplash

Montana youth argue for 9th Circuit court to allow climate change case to proceed

Montana youth argue for 9th Circuit court to allow climate change case, Lighthiser v. Trump, to proceed.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.