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.

Piping infrastructure leading to a geothermal energy pant
Credit: joegough/BigStock Photo ID: 11999561

Geothermal energy gets boost from new coalition of Western governors

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah are joining forces to accelerate deployment of clean, around-the-clock geothermal energy in the region.
Offshore oil drilling platform

Trump’s offshore oil drilling plan threatens military readiness, generals say

A draft proposal would allow for drilling off the California and Florida coasts, including two of the largest areas used for ocean-based military training.
Oil and gas export terminal tanker at dock and multiple storage tanks adjacent to a large waterbody

Oil markets nearing ‘red zone’ as Iran crisis continues, warns IEA chief

Surging demand, low reserves and reduced Middle East exports are predicted to cause a global energy crunch by August.

Coal power as exemplified by twin smokestacks emitting pollutants

Climate denier group pushes states to embrace coal power for data centers

The Heartland Institute used the American Legislative Exchange Council’s 2025 annual meeting to spread climate disinformation and tout coal to power AI.
 Solar panels, wind turbines and nuclear power plant cooling towers
Credit: jaroslavav/BigStock Photo ID: 83377346

Ohio needs power for its data centers. Lawmakers want to redefine ‘clean energy’ to get it

Ohio lawmakers are redefining clean energy to include natural gas to support data center growth, effectively banning solar and wind.
Two oilfield workers working on drilling equipment

70-foot wastewater geyser reflects New Mexico’s latest oilfield challenge

It’s a towering example of the contentious debate over what to do with the state’s ever-growing supply of oilfield waste.
Wheat harvest in process. Wheat combine filling a truck and unharvested wheat in the foreground.

Kansas wheat crop could be worst since 1972 because of weather extremes

Amid a punishing drought, tariffs and the high cost of fertilizers, farming wheat has become more uncertain as farmers in western Kansas are feeling the impact in their major wheat-producing region.
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.