An architect behind Project 2025 minimizes the climate crisis
At a New York Times Climate Forward event, Heritage Foundation president Kevin D. Roberts downplayed the dangers of climate change, calling it a “hot year” and dismissing long-term global warming trends.
In short:
- The Heritage Foundation president criticized the Biden administration’s climate policies and denied the scientific consensus on global warming at the New York Times event.
- Roberts defended Project 2025, which seeks to replace career scientists in federal agencies with political appointees and roll back climate regulations.
- Despite Trump distancing himself from Project 2025, Roberts claims the project remains influential in shaping conservative policy.
Key quote:
“It sounds like weather to me, a hot year.”
— Kevin D. Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation
Why this matters:
It’s striking to see this level of climate denial at a time when global temperatures are consistently rising, fueling stronger heat waves, floods and wildfires that we all feel in our bones. According to a report from the World Economic Forum, if unchecked, climate change could lead to an additional 14.5 million deaths by 2050. Read more: We are undercounting heat-related deaths in the US.
Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda
Storm-driven floods in Central Europe are increasingly fueled by climate change
A new study found human-caused climate change doubled the likelihood of the extreme rainfall behind recent floods in Central Europe, which killed 24 people and damaged critical infrastructure.
In short:
- Storm Boris caused record-breaking rainfall across Romania, Poland, Austria, and Germany, leading to deadly floods and widespread damage.
- The study found the rainfall was 7-20% more intense due to climate change, and similar extreme events are likely to increase in frequency as global temperatures rise.
- The floods overwhelmed infrastructure, leaving towns without power and requiring billions in repairs, with European leaders pledging financial aid.
Key quote:
"To see records being broken by such large margins, that is really the fingerprint of climate change. And that is only something that we see in a warming world."
— Friederike Otto, climate scientist at Imperial College, London
Why this matters:
As global warming accelerates, extreme weather events like the Central European floods will likely worsen, causing more frequent infrastructure failures, economic strain, and loss of life, particularly in vulnerable areas.
Read more: Heavy storm floods Central Europe, leading to deaths and widespread damage
Governments urged to set clean energy mandates to trigger positive tipping points
Policymakers could accelerate the global transition to clean energy by setting regulatory mandates with specific deadlines, leading to positive cascading effects in related sectors, according to new research.
In short:
- Mandates requiring clean energy adoption in key industries could drive rapid decarbonization by triggering "positive tipping points."
- Research shows mandates, rather than taxes or subsidies, are the most effective tools to promote widespread clean energy use and cost reductions.
- Key mandates include phasing out coal power by 2035 in developed countries and requiring 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035.
Key quote:
“With the world off course to meet the Paris agreement climate goals, triggering positive tipping points is now the only credible way to limit global warming.”
— Prof Tim Lenton, Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter
Why this matters:
Rapid, mandated shifts toward clean energy are essential to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Regulatory mandates could help meet critical carbon reduction targets by creating a ripple effect, making green technologies cheaper and more accessible.
Related EHN coverage:
Home insurance prices are rising due to climate disasters and shaping commissioner elections
As climate change fuels natural disasters and skyrocketing insurance premiums, voters are paying more attention to state insurance commissioner races, a once-overlooked office that regulates these markets.
In short:
- Insurance premiums have spiked by 33% since 2020 due to increasing wildfires, storms, and climate-related risks.
- Insurance commissioners, who oversee insurance rates, are now at the center of elections, particularly in disaster-prone states like North Carolina.
- Candidates are grappling with balancing affordable insurance and addressing climate-related damages.
Key quote:
"If the voters are connecting the dots, they should understand that what they’re experiencing — in terms of increased price and lack of availability of insurance — is driven by climate change."
— Dave Jones, former California insurance commissioner
Why this matters:
Climate change is driving higher insurance premiums nationwide, particularly in vulnerable regions. As premiums become less affordable, voters will expect their elected officials to address the rising costs and climate risks affecting their communities.
Cities face water shortages due to overuse and climate change
As rising temperatures and overuse strain global water supplies, cities like Bogotá and Mexico City are imposing strict water restrictions to stave off further depletion.
Tanya Petach and Kaitlin Sullivan report for Yale Climate Connections.
In short:
- Bogotá is rationing water for its 9 million residents due to a severe drought affecting key reservoirs.
- Cities worldwide are seeing water levels drop, losing 600 cubic kilometers annually since 1992, according to a study.
- Climate change accelerates evaporation and disrupts rainfall, making existing water sources more unstable.
Key quote:
“Understanding the primary stressors on lake water losses is often a prerequisite for management solutions.”
— Fangfang Yao, postdoctoral fellow at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
Why this matters:
Water crises are emerging in major cities, threatening access to drinking water and food production. As climate change intensifies, even well-managed water systems could face collapse, highlighting the need for both conservation efforts and emission reductions.
Read more:
How US presidential candidates' climate policies could impact food and farming
The 2024 election pits Kamala Harris’ clean energy initiatives against Donald Trump’s pro-fossil fuel stance, both offering vastly different outcomes for the future of climate and agriculture.
In short:
- Kamala Harris emphasizes climate action, clean energy investment, and climate-smart agriculture as part of her platform.
- Donald Trump denies climate change, focuses on fossil fuels, and plans to dismantle environmental regulations.
- Both candidates’ policies will significantly affect farming and food security in a warming world.
Key quote:
"Kamala Harris has been a driving force in delivering the strongest climate action in history. She’s ready to build on those gains from day one as president."
— Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the NRDC Action Fund
Why this matters:
The next president’s climate policies will shape the future of U.S. agriculture and food security. With increasing climate-driven challenges like extreme weather, decisions made now will have long-term impacts on both the environment and the farming industry.
Related EHN coverage:
Germany faces an uphill battle to block EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles
Germany's bid to prevent the European Union from imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles is likely to fail ahead of a decisive vote, which could spark a trade conflict with China.
Giovanna Coi, Douglas Busvine, and Koen Verhelst report for POLITICO.
In short:
- The EU is preparing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to counter government subsidies, aiming to give European manufacturers time to adjust.
- Germany is opposed but needs a supermajority to block the tariffs in a qualified majority vote, which is difficult to achieve.
- If the tariffs pass, China has threatened to retaliate by targeting European goods like autos and food products.
Key quote:
"Better no action than quick fixes."
— Robert Habeck, Germany’s Economy Minister.
Why this matters:
The looming tariffs could lead to a damaging trade war with China, affecting not only the auto industry but also other sectors reliant on exports. Economic retaliation may increase costs for consumers and slow down the shift to electric vehicles.
Read more: China and the EU discuss potential tariff hikes on Chinese electric vehicles
LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all
“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”
Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?
A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.
Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer
Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.
The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report
“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”
Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance
The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.
As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania
“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”