Hurricane Helene leaves North Carolina farms with toxic soil and uncertain futures

Farmers across western North Carolina are grappling with waterlogged and contaminated land after Hurricane Helene flooded their fields, posing long-term challenges for crop growth and livelihoods.

Chris Smith reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Farms in western North Carolina face extensive soil contamination and sediment buildup after flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
Flooded soil can harbor dangerous pathogens and chemicals, requiring farmers to use cover crops and soil testing for safe recovery.
Long-term recovery will depend on natural processes like phytoremediation and support from grants and aid programs.

Key quote:

“Our food system is such that people who feed their communities have to fundraise after disasters. We keep receipts and apply for all the things. We still have topsoil so we have hope.”

— Ed Graves, co-owner of Tiny Bridge Farm

Why this matters:

Toxic soil and crop destruction from extreme weather events threaten food security and the livelihoods of small farmers. As climate disasters increase, communities dependent on agriculture must find ways to rebuild and adapt to these new challenges.

www.theguardian.com

Hurricane Helene leaves North Carolina farms with toxic soil and uncertain futures

Climate complacency is a worry, says UN environment head

EU to weaken more environment reporting rules, draft document shows

UN says world must jointly tackle issues of climate change, pollution, biodiversity and land loss

Federal judge finds Trump’s halt on wind energy is illegal

Data centers for AI could nearly triple San Jose’s energy use. Who foots the bill?

AI data center backlash: Public opposition to new projects is growing

Nowhere to move: How climate change became the property market’s biggest nightmare

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.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

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

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.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.