human health risk
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Texas wildfire becomes a historic disaster, threatening small towns
A devastating wildfire, now among Texas's largest, wreaks havoc across the Panhandle, claiming a life and menacing small towns.
Jim Vertuno and Sean Murphy report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- The Smokehouse Creek Fire has expanded to more than 1,300 square miles, jumping into Oklahoma, with only 3% containment.
- An 83-year-old woman was confirmed dead, with extensive damage to communities and hundreds of cattle lost.
- Authorities warn of a dynamic situation, despite a temporary weather improvement, with significant challenges ahead.
Key quote:
“I don’t want the community there to feel a false sense of security that all these fires will not grow anymore. This is still a very dynamic situation.”
— Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management.
Why this matters:
This wildfire's scale and impact is emblematic of the growing threat of climate change and extreme weather events, affecting health, safety, and livelihoods, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities. The ongoing crisis reflects a larger issue of environmental and public health importance. And yet, as the planet burns, climate spending dwindles.
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Newsletter
Credit: wajell/BigStock Photo ID: 287456938
Wildfires rage through Texas, affecting homes and halting nuclear facility operations
Texas firefighters worked feverishly to contain fast-moving wildfires driven by unseasonably dry conditions and persistent red flag winds in the Texas Panhandle.
In short:
- Wildfires, fueled by strong winds and warm temperatures, have caused evacuations and power outages in the Texas Panhandle.
- The Pantex Plant, a key U.S. nuclear weapons facility, temporarily ceased operations due to the fires.
- Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster in 60 counties as efforts to contain the blazes continue.
Key quote:
"Texans are urged to limit activities that could create sparks and take precautions to keep their loved ones safe."
— Texas governor Greg Abbott
Why this matters:
Wildfires are erupting with increasing frequency and intensity as a consequence of climate change, posing significant risks to public safety, infrastructure, and the environment. A changing climate and freakish weather are driving a growing need for a culture of warning and safety.
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CIFOR/Flickr/Photo by Jan van der Ploeg/CIFORhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/
Report alleges Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) continues deforestation 10 years after pledge to stop
JAKARTA — A decade after Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), one of the world’s biggest paper producers, launched its landmark no-deforestation policy, the company continues to clear forests to feed its mills and drain and develop peatlands, a clear breach of the policy, a new report alleges. APP has a long history of deforestation, with […]
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Ideum - ideas + media/Flickr/Image source US Coast Guard - 100421-G-XXXXL.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Deadly explosion off Nigeria points to threat posed by aging oil ships around the world
An explosion aboard the Trinity Spirit off the coast of Nigeria last year that killed five workers and left two others unaccounted for stands among the deadliest tragedies on an oil ship or platform in recent years.
Timothy Neesam/Flickr
Glacial lakes threaten millions in a warming world
A Himalayan lake fed by melting ice just released a devastating flood in northern India. Thousands of other unstable lakes are getting bigger every year.
The climate crisis is driving people to substance abuse
Extreme weather has decimated crops and incomes in northern India. To soothe their anxiety, agricultural workers are turning to tobacco and alcohol.
Newsletter
As temperatures climb across the globe, track and field athletes try to keep cool
Everyone in track and field is constantly looking for ways to keep cool in an era of rising temperatures and rising risk that comes with competing in them.
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