A quarter-billion years ago, huge volcanic eruptions burned coal, leading to the worst extinction in Earth’s history. Here’s how scientists hunted down the evidence.
A volatile week of extreme weather brought blizzards, deadly wildfires and confirmation that 2024 was the hottest year on record, intensifying concerns about the accelerating impacts of climate change.
A severe blizzard blanketed parts of the Midwest and South with snow and ice, stranding travelers and overwhelming emergency shelters.
In California, intense winds fueled wildfires near Los Angeles, destroying homes and straining firefighting resources as water systems failed.
Weather agencies confirmed 2024 as the hottest year globally, surpassing the 1.5°C warming threshold for the first time since record-keeping began.
Key quote:
“For the average person, this means the changes you’re experiencing — more extreme weather, rising costs due to climate impacts, threats to food and water security — aren’t anomalies. They’re the new normal unless we take action.”
— Victor Gensini, meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University
Why this matters:
Extreme weather events, driven by rising temperatures, are becoming more frequent and severe, straining infrastructure and displacing communities. With climate policies at a crossroads, how the U.S. responds will shape future risks.
Wildfires are increasingly compromising U.S. water systems, introducing toxins from burned forests and damaged infrastructure into reservoirs and household supplies.
Over 60% of the U.S. drinking water supply comes from forested areas vulnerable to wildfire contamination.
Post-fire runoff containing ash, debris and dissolved organic matter can overwhelm reservoirs, increasing toxic algae blooms and water treatment challenges.
Damaged water systems, including melted plastic pipes, can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), contaminating residential water supplies long after fires are extinguished.
Key quote:
“We’re destabilizing [water] systems and we don’t even know in what way and how.”
— Newsha Ajami, chief strategic development officer for research in the Earth and Environmental Sciences Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs
Why this matters:
Megafires are burning larger areas and releasing more harmful materials, straining water treatment systems and exposing millions to potential toxins. Communities must adapt by investing in fire-resilient infrastructure and proactive water safety measures to address worsening fire seasons fueled by climate change.
As wildfires devastate Southern California, claiming lives and homes, state officials face intensifying political criticism from President-elect Trump and his allies, who blame Democrats for the crisis.
At least 24 people are dead and dozens more are missing as wildfires spread, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds expected to continue through midweek.
President-elect Trump, Elon Musk and top Republicans have blamed California’s leadership, spreading misinformation about firefighting efforts and diversity programs.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has deployed additional National Guard members and eased regulations to speed rebuilding, while local officials brace for federal aid uncertainties under Trump’s administration.
Key quote:
“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.”
— Donald Trump, via Truth Social
Why this matters: Natural disasters are increasingly becoming political battlegrounds, with climate change exacerbating the scale of destruction. The federal response to emergencies can influence public trust and shape long-term disaster preparedness. Political misinformation can also erode confidence in government actions during crises.
Wildfires across Los Angeles have left at least 10 dead and thousands homeless, fueled in part by long-standing policies that unintentionally increased risks in fire-prone areas.
Proposition 103, passed in 1988, capped insurance premiums, encouraging development in wildfire-prone regions by masking financial risk.
Zoning laws have made it difficult to build affordable housing in safer, urban areas, pushing development into high-risk suburban zones near wildlands.
Efforts to build denser, fire-resistant housing in cities have been slowed by environmental reviews and local opposition.
Key quote:
"Artificially low premiums encouraged more Californians to live in the state’s most dangerous areas."
— M. Nolan Gray
Why this matters:
As wildfires intensify due to climate change, outdated policies have exacerbated the crisis by driving people into danger zones. Reforming insurance regulations and zoning laws could help reduce fire-related losses and build safer, more resilient communities.
A second Trump administration could undo Biden-era efforts to decarbonize heavy-duty vehicles, affecting federal funding, emissions regulations and the future of electric school buses and commercial fleets.
Experts warn that independent truck drivers face significant challenges in adopting electric vehicles due to high costs and systemic inefficiencies.
Key quote:
“We have an administration coming in who has publicly cast down the Inflation Reduction Act, the infrastructure law, electric vehicles as a concept. Right when we’re about to enter the transition, you’ve got someone who is going to slam on the brakes.”
— Guillermo Ortiz, senior clean vehicles advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council
Why this matters:
Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, with medium- and heavy-duty trucks accounting for nearly a quarter. Rolling back regulations could hinder efforts to reduce harmful air pollution, impacting public health and delaying climate action.
As prices drop and technology advances, industry experts say market demand will continue driving electric vehicle adoption despite potential rollbacks of federal incentives under a Trump administration.
Republicans, including President-elect Trump, plan to reverse key federal incentives for electric vehicles, including tax credits and subsidies.
Automakers remain committed to electrification due to significant investments and global competition, particularly from China.
Analysts warn that cutting incentives could slow EV sales, though some states like California plan to maintain their own subsidies.
Key quote:
"Make no mistake about it. We’re committed to electrification."
—Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai Motor America
Why this matters:
Reducing incentives for electric vehicles could delay progress on decreasing transportation emissions, a key driver of climate change. The U.S. risks falling behind in EV technology as China expands its dominance, which could also impact domestic jobs linked to EV supply chains and battery production.
The U.S. power grid urgently needs expansion to meet rising energy demands and support economic growth, but the incoming Trump administration’s stance on clean energy and federal initiatives could hinder progress.
Federal grid expansion plans made progress under the Biden administration, with $64 billion in transmission projects, but experts say far more investment is needed.
A new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) order mandates 20-year grid planning to improve reliability, though it faces potential legal challenges from Republican-led states.
Republican-backed proposals could limit federal involvement in grid upgrades, favoring fossil fuel infrastructure and curtailing interregional transmission projects.
Key quote:
“We can’t achieve energy dominance in this country if we can’t get power to where it needs to go.”
— Tyler Duvelius, director of external affairs for the Conservative Energy Network
Why this matters:
Delays in grid expansion could lead to higher energy costs, grid instability and economic slowdowns, particularly as demand for electricity surges with new data centers, factories and extreme weather events straining outdated infrastructure.
Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.
Legal and industry experts say there are uncertainties about the future of hydrogen hubs, a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s clean energy push.
