impacts
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Mayflies warn of the unseen dangers lurking after urban wildfires
Mayflies and other tiny stream organisms are revealing alarming signs about the impact of urban wildfires on waterways, showing how toxic metals released by fires may disrupt ecosystems for years.
Lauren Magliozzi reports for The Washington Post and The Conversation.
In short:
- After wildfires sweep through urban areas, pollutants like copper, lead, and zinc are carried into nearby streams, increasing metal concentrations up to 200-fold.
- Sensitive aquatic species, like mayflies, suffer from reduced reproduction and population declines due to toxic metal exposure, altering the entire ecosystem.
- Pollutants from burned materials affect water used for irrigation and recreation, potentially leading to long-term contamination and ecological damage.
Key quote:
“Mayflies’ decline is a concerning indicator of ecosystem stress.”
— Lauren Magliozzi, researcher at University of Colorado at Boulder
Why this matters:
When wildfires blaze through cities, they leave behind more than scorched earth. Metals like copper, lead, and zinc from destroyed infrastructure get washed into rivers and streams. Mayflies, being super sensitive to changes in water quality, are taking the hit. Their populations plummet, and that ripple effect runs deep, disrupting ecosystems that rely on them. Read more: We’re dumping loads of retardant chemicals to fight wildfires. What does it mean for wildlife?
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Credit: Fernando Flores/https://www.flickr.com/photos/ferjflores/52731484513//Flickr
Humpbacks face new challenges as the oceans heat up
Humpback whales have made a comeback in the North Pacific, but climate change now threatens their breeding and feeding grounds, potentially disrupting decades of recovery.
In short:
- Humpback whale populations have rebounded in the Salish Sea thanks to conservation efforts, but climate change could undermine this recovery.
- Rising ocean temperatures threaten humpbacks' breeding areas, with predictions that up to 67% of their breeding grounds may become unsuitable by the end of the century.
- Changes in krill populations and shifting migration patterns could further complicate humpbacks' survival.
Key quote:
“I was mortified seeing breeding ground after breeding ground turning red in our simulation.”
— Hannah von Hammerstein, University of Hawaii
Why this matters:
Humpback whales are a keystone species in marine ecosystems, and their survival is closely tied to ocean health. Climate-driven changes to their habitats could have cascading effects on the entire food web, impacting biodiversity and human livelihoods alike. If we don’t address the root causes of climate change, we might witness one of the ocean's most celebrated conservation successes unravel in real time. Read more: Surprise! Unexpected ocean heat waves are becoming the norm.
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Credit: Sakeeb Sabakka/Flickr
Federal heat policy ignores deadly risks despite increasing climate dangers
Extreme heat is killing more Americans than any other weather-related event, but federal policies remain focused on protecting people from cold.
In short:
- The federal government invests billions in heating but provides little support for cooling, leaving millions vulnerable to extreme heat.
- Federal programs fail to recognize extreme heat as a disaster, while thousands of people die indoors due to lack of air conditioning.
- Low-income and marginalized communities are disproportionately affected, unable to access tax credits or support for energy-efficient cooling systems.
Key quote:
“Access to air conditioning is a life-saving intervention during extreme heat. Lack of air conditioning (AC) was a key driver in mortality.”
— Multnomah County, Oregon investigation
Why this matters:
Disregard for the realities of a heating planet is deeply embedded in policy. Regulations don’t account for how much our climate has changed. Every summer, heat waves kill more people than hurricanes or floods, yet federal programs designed to protect the vulnerable still see cooling as optional. Read more: Ripe for disaster declarations — heat, wildfire smoke and death data.
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Newsletter
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Heavy storm floods Central Europe, leading to deaths and widespread damage
A rare combination of weather patterns led to Storm Boris, which unleashed record rainfall, flooding, and snowfall across central Europe, killing at least 12 people.
In short:
- Storm Boris dropped several months' worth of rain in a few days, causing catastrophic flooding in Romania, Poland, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
- The storm was fueled by an unusual mix of Arctic air, warm eastern air, and record-high Mediterranean sea temperatures, intensified by climate change.
- Emergency efforts continue as the storm persists, with flood warnings and high risks of dam failures across several countries.
Key quote:
“Nothing can ease the suffering of the people of Pechea.”
— Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
Why this matters:
Storms like Boris demonstrate how climate change is amplifying extreme weather events. The unprecedented flooding and snowfall show how quickly and severely weather patterns can shift, leading to major disasters across large regions.
Related:
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Credit: Diana Robinson/Flickr
Fire's ancient practice returns to help Nebraska’s wildlife thrive
Conservationists in Nebraska are reviving the ancient practice of controlled burns to restore vital habitats for sandhill cranes and other species.
In short:
- Controlled burns clear away overgrowth, benefiting birds like sandhill cranes by creating open areas for feeding and nesting.
- These fires mimic natural and Indigenous land management practices, which are key to maintaining grasslands and promoting biodiversity.
- Species such as bears, prairie chickens and even pollinators like bees benefit from the new growth that follows controlled burns.
Key quote:
"The best way we can make sure that the grasslands stay grasslands, is by making sure that we're using tools to keep it in that habitat — tools like prescribed fires."
— Amanda Hefner, education manager, Rowe Sanctuary
Why this matters:
In Nebraska, the practice of prescribed burning is breathing new life into local species, from the cranes that rely on open spaces to the bears that find renewed food sources in berry bushes. This ancient practice could be one of the best ways to combat the wildfire risks and biodiversity loss we face today. Read more: Hands on the land, heart in community: Returning cultural fires.
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Credit: Loco Steve/Flickr
A broken census can’t keep up with climate migration in Louisiana
Four years after back-to-back hurricanes slammed Lake Charles, Louisiana, the city is still grappling with the long-term impact of population loss, complicating its recovery and future political representation.
In short:
- The 2020 hurricanes displaced nearly 7% of Lake Charles’ population, a loss that worsened due to inadequate tracking systems.
- The U.S. Census Bureau’s data collection was disrupted by the storms, invalidating much of the data gathered, complicating redistricting and resource distribution.
- The demographic shift deepened racial and economic divides, with wealthier, whiter areas recovering faster than poorer, predominantly Black neighborhoods.
Key quote:
“There’s no way the census, every 10 years, will be able to manage keeping up with the rapid population shifts that are already happening.”
— Daniel Aldrich, Northeastern University, professor of political science
Why this matters:
This isn’t just about a few people leaving town; it’s about whole communities being displaced, and the Census—the system meant to account for us all—might be missing the mark. Read more: Poor southerners are joining the globe’s climate migrants.
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Credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr
Houston’s struggle to help Katrina evacuees stands as cautionary tale
After Hurricane Katrina, Houston’s initial warm embrace of 200,000 evacuees turned cold as racial tensions and media-driven fears about crime escalated.
In short:
- Houston’s mayor initially led a praised effort to resettle thousands of Katrina evacuees, but soon faced backlash due to racial prejudices and crime concerns.
- Media narratives blaming evacuees for rising crime in Houston intensified, even though studies later showed minimal impact on crime rates.
- The experience highlights the challenges cities face when handling large-scale climate-driven migrations, exacerbated by racial tensions and media influence.
Key quote:
“The dynamics of race and ethnicity and apprehension toward immigrants drove largely antagonistic beliefs about the mostly poor, mostly black new arrivals.”
— Authors of a study that analyzed Houston’s response to Katrina.
Why this matters:
The story of Houston’s response to Katrina evacuees is a cautionary tale for future climate disasters, showing how quickly compassion can turn to hostility, especially when race and fear are involved. The politics of disaster recovery can turn ugly, transforming places of refuge into battlegrounds where the victims of one disaster are scapegoated for entirely different reasons. Read more: Poor southerners are joining the globe’s climate migrants.
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