Hurricane Helene shifts climate change into focus for 2024 campaign

Hurricane Helene's destruction has thrust climate change into the spotlight of the presidential race, with both parties now debating the role of extreme weather and environmental policies.

Matthew Daly reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

The hurricane killed at least 180 people, leaving thousands without essential services in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida.
President Biden and Vice President Harris have connected Helene's devastation to climate change, calling for stronger action, while Republicans argue for increased U.S. energy production.
The storm's role in debates over the climate crisis marks a shift in the presidential campaign's focus, previously centered on other issues.

Key quote:

“Nobody can deny the impact of the climate crisis any more. They must be brain dead if they do.”

— President Joe Biden

Why this matters:

Hurricanes like Helene are growing stronger due to climate change, posing a real threat to public safety and the economy. As extreme weather increases, the debate over energy and environmental policy will shape the future of disaster resilience.

apnews.com

Hurricane Helene shifts climate change into focus for 2024 campaign

Shell’s hidden climate knowledge under scrutiny as court battle looms

A city with a plan

‘Wastelands’ no more: India charts a future for its grasslands

The influencer teaching millions to fear solar

How African off-grid solar companies are using financing deals to land mainstream investors

Georgia’s first ‘pop-up’ power plant for data centers faces scrutiny

The Trump administration wants more gasoline made in idled refineries from California to St. Croix

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.