Mosquitoes are a growing public health threat, reversing years of progress

Don't miss this compelling global health series by The New York Times: The fight against mosquitos has never been more urgent as climate change and the rapid evolution of the insect have thwarted efforts to combat devastating diseases like malaria and dengue. Scientists are innovating, reports Stephanie Nolen, pursuing new strategies to protect public health.

Nolen traveled to five countries in Africa and Latin America to cover multiple aspects of this growing global challenge:

Mosquitoes are a growing public health threat, reversing years of progress

Climate change and the rapid evolution of the insect have helped drive up malaria deaths and brought dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses to places that never had to worry about them.

An invasive mosquito threatens catastrophe in Africa

A malaria-carrying species that thrives in urban areas and resists all insecticides is causing outbreaks in places that have rarely faced the disease.

The gamble: Can genetically-modified mosquitos end disease?

Working on a remote island, scientists think they can use genetic engineering to block a malaria-carrying species of mosquito from spreading the disease — and do it in just a few months. But governments are wary.

One village, two houses and a new tactic to win the war on mosquitos

A different way of thinking about mosquito-borne diseases could save billions of dollars and end them for good, some health experts believe.

Unleashing a new weapon on the mosquito: a mosquito

What if, instead of killing the mosquitoes, you could disarm them? Even if you couldn’t keep them from biting people, what if you could block them from passing on disease? What if you could use one infectious microbe to stop another?

Insecticides can't stop the mosquitos. Now what?

Old weapons like bed nets and insecticides don't work well anymore: Mosquitos have evolved to resist and evade them. The world needs to ways to fight mosquitos.

A black bean burger being placed on a bun

Swapping plant-based burgers for beef could spell big climate wins without nutritional cost

Reducing ruminant meat, as opposed to all animal products, can help meet both environmental and public health goals, a new study finds.
A view of a group of offshore wind turbines

Governor Healey takes next step in bid to get in on Canadian offshore wind

President Trump blocked Massachusetts from unlocking new offshore wind from its own coasts, dealing a crucial blow to the state’s energy transition. So Gov. Maura Healey is testing the waters to the north instead.

A view of the Environmental Protection Agency sign on the side of a building

EPA oil and gas enforcement drops in New Mexico under Trump

Oil and gas production has directly and indirectly generated record amounts of hard-to-dispose-of oilfield wastewater, raised the specter of $1.6 billion in cleanup costs for abandoned wells and fouled the air in the oilfields.

A person holding wires coming out of an electrical box

This surprise cost could derail your heat pump or EV charger installation. Here’s how to avoid it

If all goes to plan, I will spend a grand total of zero dollars on an electrification project that could have cost me well over $10,000.
A view of the U.S. congressional building in Washington, DC

The unlikely allies behind Congress’ new energy deal

BAAJA would speed up solar projects — and data centers. Is it worth the compromise?

A view of Madison Wisconsin with the statehouse in the background

Energy and PFAS on the agenda as Democrats take control in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Democrats are signaling they’ll use their new control of state government to take action on a number of climate and environmental issues.

A workspace with a computer, calculator and several documents with charts on them

12 free reports about climate change for COP31

These in-depth reports offer the latest findings on the global problem. 
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.

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