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.

Wind turbine blades could soon be recyclable

Researchers have developed a new plant-based material for wind turbine blades that could help address the growing waste problem caused by old turbines.

Minho Kim reports for The New York Times.

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Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
global plastic pollution treaty
Credit: Boyce Duprey/Flickr

The world is drowning in plastic, with 57 million tons of pollution annually

The world generates an astonishing 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year, spreading from the depths of the oceans to inside human bodies, with two-thirds coming from the Global South, according to a recent study.

Seth Borenstein reports for the Associated Press.

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Biden's top climate advisor visits China to push for stronger emission cuts

John Podesta is visiting China this week to urge the country to adopt more aggressive climate goals ahead of critical upcoming global climate negotiations.

Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.

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Trump and Vance make misleading claims about Harris's energy policies in swing states

Donald Trump and J.D. Vance are falsely accusing Kamala Harris of supporting extreme energy policies during their campaign stops in key swing states.

Brian Dabbs and Robin Bravender report for E&E News.

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Chevron agrees to a $550 million settlement with California city

Richmond, California, secured a half-billion dollar settlement from Chevron after proposing a ballot tax on barrels produced at its local refinery, setting a potential model for other cities.

Will McCarthy reports for POLITICO.

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California's first hydrogen-powered train brings clean energy to rail travel
Credit: Astrid/Pixabay

California's first hydrogen-powered train brings clean energy to rail travel

The Zero-Emission Multiple Unit, a hydrogen-powered passenger train, will soon operate in Southern California, marking a significant step toward clean energy in U.S. rail travel.

Jules Feeney reports for The Guardian.

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Mississippi limits discussion at solar summit as renewable energy advocates silenced

At a solar summit in Mississippi, renewable energy advocates were denied a chance to respond to regulators’ questions, sparking frustration among industry supporters.

Kristi E. Swartz reports for Floodlight.

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From our Newsroom
Cancer Alley Louisiana

Op-ed: “I’m sorry, I can’t hear you” — disabling environments in Cancer Alley and the Ohio River Valley

For communities plagued by energy extraction and petrochemical buildout, struggles of environmental justice often fall on deaf ears.

environmental justice

LISTEN: Brandon Rothrock on the environment and queer identities

"It's important to make queer and LGBTQ+ people central to research and policies and not add them in as an afterthought."

Peter Dykstra

Environmental journalism loses a hero

Peter Dykstra – newsman, provocateur, friend and former publisher of The Daily Climate – passed away Wednesday.

ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report

ExxonMobil, LyondellBassel and Chevron among Houston’s top polluters: Report

“We know this is a business, and you want to make a profit, but consider the communities next door.”

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