children s health
Black communities forge a path to climate resilience
Across the U.S., Black-led environmental initiatives are tackling systemic neglect and creating sustainable, thriving communities, from urban gardens to climate-resilient neighborhoods.
In short:
- In Detroit, a Black-led co-op provides affordable, nutrient-rich food, supports local farms and empowers residents through community ownership.
- Memphis advocates shut down a polluting sterilization plant after decades of activism, demanding accountability and a green future for their community.
- In Louisiana, twin sisters blocked industrial development and reclaimed their ancestral plantation, challenging corporate pollution and systemic racial injustice.
Key quote:
“This was never just about one plant. It’s about justice, health and dignity for a majority-Black community standing up for what’s right.”
— KeShaun Pearson, environmental activist
Why this matters:
These efforts not only address immediate health concerns but also lay the groundwork for systemic change, proving that grassroots activism can shape a more equitable and sustainable future. These successes aren’t isolated victories. They’re part of a broader reckoning with climate’s unequal impacts—and a blueprint for solutions led by the communities most affected. Read more: Wellington Onyenwe on where toxicology, food and justice intersect.
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Credit: Corey Templeton/Flickr
Why most Americans still choose sprawl over walkable neighborhoods
While walkable neighborhoods promise cleaner air, vibrant communities, and less driving, a new study finds that most Americans still prefer the space and affordability of suburban sprawl.
In short:
- A study of U.S. metro areas highlights the benefits of "15-minute neighborhoods," where daily needs are within a short walk, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Despite these perks, suburban sprawl remains more popular due to lower costs, larger homes and perceptions of natural beauty—though sprawl harms the environment and public health.
- Experts point out that high housing costs in walkable areas reflect demand outpacing supply, calling for zoning reform and investment in transit-oriented development.
Key quote:
"Sprawl helps explain why North America has lost an estimated 3 billion birds in the past half-century."
— Reid Ewing, professor of urban planning at the University of Utah
Why this matters:
It’s easy to see the draw. Suburbs promise privacy and, for many, a slice of what feels like nature. But sprawl isn’t just tough on the planet—it’s a public health crisis in disguise. The solution? Zoning reforms and smarter investments in transit. Read more: Diesel trucks are causing environmental injustice across US cities.
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Credit: Kate Lynch/Flickr
Holiday lessons from a climate pessimist turned educator
My climate-obsessed dad's doomsday lectures once overwhelmed us, but they also shaped how our family faces the climate crisis together.
In short:
- The author reflects on her father’s evolution into “Dr. Doom,” a nickname earned from his climate lectures during family holidays. His urgency stems from decades of scientific work and climate education.
- Experts note that climate scientists often experience despair, or "moral injury," as their dire warnings are ignored, yet this anxiety can motivate action rather than resignation.
- Her father’s influence ultimately led to careers in climate work for the author and her brother, while his students find his sobering lectures both challenging and inspiring.
Key quote:
“You cannot protect your kids from climate change. But you can protect them from being alone with climate change.”
— Kristan Childs, Climate Psychology Alliance
Why this matters:
Most of us know a Dr. Doom—a parent, a friend, maybe even ourselves—dragging a thread of despair through small talk and holiday cheer. Maybe they’re too much sometimes, or maybe they’re just enough. Because in a world teetering on a warming edge, we need their inconvenient truths. Read more: Pollution’s mental toll: How air, water and climate pollution shape our mental health.
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Credit: Marufish/Flickr
Traffickers prey on climate-hit communities in India
Rising seas and intensifying cyclones are driving families in India’s Sundarbans deeper into poverty, making them prime targets for human traffickers.
In short:
- Climate change is exacerbating poverty in the Sundarbans, where rising sea levels and frequent cyclones are eroding livelihoods and forcing migration.
- Human traffickers exploit the desperation of vulnerable families, luring young girls with false promises of jobs, marriage or a better life.
- Survivors like Mijana and Kashmira face lasting trauma and social stigma but are fighting back through local NGOs that offer rescue, counseling and education.
Key quote:
"Trafficking [is] like a cancer here. No matter what we do to try to curb it, it spreads."
— Mijana, trafficking survivor and educator
Why this matters:
As climate change worsens economic instability, traffickers exploit the chaos, turning a global environmental crisis into a personal human tragedy. What’s happening in the Sundarbans is a warning. Climate change doesn’t just destroy ecosystems; it tears apart human lives, creating fertile ground for exploitation. The tides are rising, and so are the stakes. Read more: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance.
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Newsletter
Credit: Mohamed Nuzrath/Pixabay
Malaria cases increase amid rising drug resistance and climate disasters
Malaria cases rose for the fifth consecutive year, with nearly 600,000 deaths in 2023, as climate crises and drug-resistant strains complicate efforts to control the disease.
In short:
- The World Health Organization reported 263 million malaria cases globally in 2023, with 94% occurring in Africa.
- Drug resistance, insecticide-resistant mosquitoes and climate-related disasters hinder prevention and treatment efforts.
- A $4.3 billion annual funding gap restricts access to essential tools like bed nets and medicines for vulnerable populations.
Key quote:
“No one should die of malaria; yet the disease continues to disproportionately harm people living in the African region, especially young children and pregnant women.”
— Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general
Why this matters:
Malaria remains a leading cause of death in many low-income countries, particularly affecting children and pregnant women. Worsening climate events and drug resistance threaten progress, underscoring the need for sustained investment in prevention and treatment tools.
Read more: Climate change escalates malaria risk for pregnant women in highlands
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Newsletter
Credit: Sasin Tipchai/Pixabay
Young adults face higher heat-related death risks than older populations
Younger people, particularly those under 35, are more likely to die from extreme heat caused by climate change than the elderly, a new study finds.
In short:
- About 75% of recent heat-related deaths in Mexico occurred in people under 35, with many aged 18 to 34.
- Researchers linked heat deaths to physical activities, lack of air conditioning and outdoor jobs among younger adults.
- The study suggests poorer nations with younger labor forces may experience even greater heat-related mortality.
Key quote:
“It’s a surprise. These are physiologically the most robust people in the population."
— Jeffrey Shrader, environmental and labor economist at Columbia University
Why this matters:
Younger adults often perform physically demanding jobs under heat-exposed conditions, making them more vulnerable to rising temperatures. As climate change intensifies, more heat-related deaths in this age group could strain families and economies worldwide.
Read more: Half a billion children face increasingly extreme heat
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Credit: Tristan Maness/Unsplash
Concerns grow over potential lead risks in Asheville’s water after hurricane
Two experts urge Asheville residents to conduct widespread testing for lead in drinking water following a treatment suspension caused by Tropical Storm Helene.
In short:
- Two independent experts recommend residents in homes built before 1988 use bottled water until lead tests are completed, citing potential risks from a lapse in corrosion control.
- The city of Asheville assures its water meets EPA standards but acknowledges lead detected in seven schools' water systems after stagnant water samples were tested.
- Officials emphasize flushing pipes to reduce lead exposure, noting it could take months to rebuild protective pipe coatings.
Key quote:
“We need a broad investigation of the lead levels at the tap of residences, schools and businesses who source their water from Asheville City Water.”
— Sally Wasileski, UNC Asheville chemistry department chair
Why this matters:
Lead exposure is a significant health hazard, especially for children, as it can cause developmental and neurological harm. Residents in older homes or with outdated plumbing face higher risks, requiring clarity and transparency from officials to ensure safe water access.
Read more: Hurricane Helene's water crisis leaves lingering doubts for Asheville residents
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