Author: Lester Holt

Communities of color face the greatest health risks from fossil fuel emissions Air pollution from oil and gas operations contributes to more than 90,000 premature deaths each year in the United States and affects hundreds of thousands more, according to a new study. The research also highlights that communities of color experience the heaviest health impacts. The study estimates that over 10,000 pre-term births annually are linked to fine particulate matter from oil and gas. In addition, nitrogen dioxide emissions from the sector are connected to 216,000 new cases of childhood-onset asthma each year, and hazardous air pollutants are associated…

Negotiations to finalize the world’s first treaty on plastic pollution ended in failure on Friday in Geneva, Switzerland, as countries remained sharply divided over how to tackle the crisis. The summit, held at United Nations headquarters and attended by delegates from more than 180 nations, was originally scheduled to conclude Thursday after 10 days of intense discussions. Talks extended into overtime as participants were unable to break the deadlock. Disagreements Over Production Limits Over 100 countries called for legally binding caps on plastic production and stronger measures to address toxic chemicals in plastics. However, major oil and gas producers, including…

Study Finds Limited Impact Legal wolf hunting in the western United States has had very little effect on reducing livestock losses, according to a new study led by the University of Michigan. Researchers analyzed data from Montana and Idaho—where public wolf hunts are allowed—and compared it with Oregon and Washington, where hunting remains prohibited. Hunting Does Not Significantly Reduce Predation Montana and Idaho began regulated wolf hunts in 2009, aiming to reduce conflicts between wolves and ranchers. Officials assumed that lowering wolf populations would lead to fewer cattle and sheep deaths. However, the study found that removing a single wolf…

New Vessel to Enhance Safeguards at Lake Turkana The Kenya Wildlife Service has launched a state-of-the-art patrol boat for Sibiloi National Park to enhance conservation efforts at Lake Turkana in the country’s northwest. NAIROBI, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) — On Wednesday, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) commissioned a modern patrol boat aimed at boosting protection for Lake Turkana, one of the region’s most vital ecosystems. KWS Director General Erustus Kanga told reporters in Nairobi that the vessel, provided by partner organizations, comes equipped with advanced sonar and radar systems. “The boat will be instrumental in strengthening monitoring, preventing illegal activities, safeguarding…

A major new national nature reserve has been established in Shropshire, safeguarding over 1,500 hectares (3,700 acres) of precious habitats, according to Natural England. The Stiperstones Landscape Reserve, which is more than triple the size of the original site, will help absorb carbon, reduce flood risk, and improve water quality. It brings together six organisations to protect heathlands, ancient woodlands, bogs, and acidic grasslands along the England-Wales border. Part of the King’s Series of National Nature Reserves, launched to mark King Charles III’s coronation and his long record of environmental work, the project is part of the largest expansion of…

Massive Deforestation RecordedSince 1985, approximately 52 million hectares of natural land in Brazil’s Amazon have been lost—an area bigger than Spain—according to MapBiomas. Nationwide, the total loss over the last 40 years amounts to 111.7 million hectares, more than three times the size of Germany. MapBiomas, a network of universities, NGOs, and tech companies, monitors changes using satellite imagery. Rapid Land ConversionBy 1985, Brazil had already converted 60% of its land over nearly five centuries for agriculture, mining, urban development, and infrastructure. “The remaining 40% of this conversion occurred in just four decades, from 1985 to 2024,” said Tasso Azevedo,…

Berries Ripening Ahead of ScheduleIn the UK, blackberries and other fruits are appearing earlier than usual, with some already shrivelling by mid-summer. Trees are shedding leaves sooner, apples are ripening, and acorns are falling to the ground. Experts warn that these signs are not simply an early autumn but indicate that nature is under significant stress. Record Heat and Drought ConditionsEngland has experienced its fourth heatwave of the summer, with temperatures reaching 33.4°C, while five regions are currently under drought. Kathryn Brown, director of climate change and evidence at the Wildlife Trusts, explained that the unusually hot and dry spring…