News Detective - Recent activity in Climate Change

Answered: Wildfires in the U.S. have doubled in frequency over the past decade due to climate change.

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:23:56 +0000

While the claim that “wildfires in the U.S. have doubled in frequency over the past decade due to climate change” highlights the increasing effects climate change is having on our planet, and in this instance specifically our country, the claim is not entirely accurate. The source that this claim originates from is no longer available, but research from other agencies like NASA and the United States Geological Survey does not provide enough evidence to support the claim that wildfires have doubled in frequency in the U.S.

Based on their reports from their satellites, NASA has concluded that “extreme wildfire activity has doubled worldwide in the last 21 years. However, this refers to the extreme wildfires on a global scale, not only in the United States. Secondly, in their reports, they said that they have increased in intensity, size, and frequency, especially in the western part of the United States. These findings are also supported by the United States Geological Survey’s website, which reinforced the role climate change has on wildfire activity as drier and hotter environments fuel more intense fires.

While these sources have shown that climate change is affecting the intensity and size of wildfires, has the actual number of them increased, as is being claimed? Actually, not really. The National Interagency Fire Center records show that wildfires have been relatively consistent in number, ranging from 50,000 to 70,000 wildfires a year since 2008.

In conclusion, while the wildfires have not doubled in frequency, this data shows that these wildfires are now bigger and more intense, which has serious effects on our ecosystems and national parks, but also on daily life for all, demonstrating that climate change has a definite impact, even if the claim is false.

Answered: Electric vehicles are worse for the environment than gas cars because of battery production.

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:27:33 +0000

The claim that electric vehicles are worse for the environment than gas cars because of battery production comes from early research and media coverage that focused only on manufacturing emissions rather than a vehicle’s full lifecycle. One commonly cited source is a 2021 preprint study by Satish Vitta, which argued that electric vehicles may not always be greener due to emissions from battery production. However, this study was posted on a preprint server and was not peer-reviewed, meaning its conclusions were not fully verified by other experts. More comprehensive and credible research from organizations like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that although electric vehicles produce more emissions during manufacturing, they generate significantly fewer emissions during use, making them better for the environment overall. Additionally, a more recent study by researchers from Northern Arizona University and Duke University, reported by the Associated Press, concluded that electric vehicles typically become more environmentally friendly than gas cars within about two years of driving and produce far fewer emissions over their lifetimes. These findings show that while battery production has environmental impacts, the overall evidence from credible academic and government sources demonstrates that electric vehicles are generally better for the environment than gas-powered cars over their full lifecycles.

Sources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | US EPA

Making EVs takes big energy, but after 2 years, they’re cleaner than gas-fueled cars, study finds | AP News

Answered: Democrats have stopped talking about climate change

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 01:44:38 +0000

The claim that Democrats have “stopped talking about climate change” is misleading based on the evidence available. While there are indications that Democratic messaging has shifted toward economic concerns like energy prices, climate change remains a significant policy priority. A key primary source, the Inflation Reduction Act (https://www.energy.gov/edf/inflation-reduction-act-2022), shows that Democrats passed the largest investment in clean energy and climate action in U.S. history, demonstrating continued commitment to addressing climate issues. A secondary source from The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/climateenvironment/2025/11/10/climate-democrats-electricity-prices-cop30/) explains that Democrats are increasingly framing climate policy around electricity costs and economic concerns, suggesting a shift in presentation rather than a disappearance of the issue. However, both sources may have some bias: the U.S. Department of Energy may present policies in a positive light, and The Washington Post may reflect editorial perspectives. Some evidence supports the claim, such as reduced direct mention of “climate change” in campaign messaging and comparisons to earlier figures like Al Gore, whose campaign strongly emphasized the issue. However, stronger evidence undermines the claim, since major legislation and ongoing policy efforts show climate action is still a priority. Overall, the issue appears to be a change in messaging strategy rather than a lack of attention. I attempted to identify and contact the original source of the claim, but it was not clearly linked to a specific individual or organization, so I was unable to reach out for clarification.

Answered: Climate Change has had a significant effect on California, one of the most climate focused states

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:47:40 +0000

This claim is true. Climate change is already having widespread impacts across the globe, but its effects are especially evident in California. "The state faces significant risks from wildfires, drought,and sea level rise" says the Carnegie Endowment. Specifically, coastal and Northern regions are threatened. Coastal communities and infrastructure are beginning to suffer due to rising sea levels. Simultaneously, the drier and hotter weather has increased the amount of wildfires occurring in California. "Climate change is intensifying extreme heat, drought, and wildfire conditions in California" according to calmatters.org. These patterns are showing how climate change is a current reality impacting both the environment and human life.

https://oag.ca.gov/environment/impact

https://calmatters.org/environment/climate-change/2023/11/climate-change-california-national-climate-assessment/

https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2023/07/california-is-a-model-for-climate-change-action-when-international-efforts-fall-short?lang=en

Answered: claim: We will not reach net zero emissions by 2050

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:58:50 +0000

This is partly false and needs more context. Saying “we will not reach net-zero by 2050” treats the outcome as guaranteed failure, but the best scientific evidence does not support that completely. The UNEP 2025 Emissions Gap Report says limiting warming to 1.5°C by 2100 is still technically feasible, though it would now require temporary overshoot and much faster cuts. We are not currently on track to reach global net-zero by 2050 under existing policies, but it is still possible if countries dramatically accelerate emissions cuts. This is the strongest primary source because it is the UN’s official climate science assessment. It states that returning warming to 1.5°C by 2100 remains within the realm of possibility even though overshoot is now likely. 1.5°C overshoot is now likely within the next decade, but much steeper emissions cuts are now required. This secondary source explains the UNEP findings in a simpler language. It helped show that while the world is currently off track, scientists still say it is still technically possible to return to 1.5°C later in the century. UNEP/IPCC: Very credible science institutions, but their focus is climate mitigation, so they emphasize urgent action. Carbon Brief: Strong climate journalism focus and generally supportive of emissions reductions. Some evidence does support the idea that we may miss 2050 like, current policies still project 2.3-2.8 Celsius warming and global emissions cuts are not happening fast enough. This means the world is not currently on pace. This still doesn't mean the claim is completely true, and we would never be able to achieve that goal if we change some emissions soon.

www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2025

www.carbonbrief.org/unep-new-country-climate-plans-barely-move-needle-on-expected-warming/

Answered: Plants are no longer absorbing carbon dioxide

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:44:31 +0000

Reading this claim truly shocked me.This claim is false. If the plants were no longer absorbing carbon dioxide, they wouldn't be able to survive. From a Nasa article its stated "The results of the study also highlight the importance of the role of ecosystems in the global carbon cycle". With the process of photosynthesis especially, carbon dioxide is essential for the survival of our planet. If plants were no longer absorbing carbon dioxide, the effects would be obvious. From a different article listed by Technology Network it was stated that "Understanding how much carbon can be stored in land ecosystems, especially in forests with their large accumulations of biomass in wood, is essential to making predictions of future climate change." The stability of our planet would collapse very quickly due to climate change occurring at a faster rate.

https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/plants-are-absorbing-31-more-carbon-dioxide-than-previously-thought-392349

https://www.nasa.gov/science-research/earth-science/land-ecosystems-are-becoming-less-efficient-at-absorbing-co2/

Commented: The Trump administration has had the worst action record with climate change.

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:30:32 +0000

I like your point about the policy rollbacks and how they could slow progress on climate action, but I think your argument would be stronger if you included a second source to balance the Climate Action Campaign. Since you mentioned that the source may have some bias, it would help to compare it with something like a government report or data from organizations like the EPA or NASA.

Also, when you say “worst,” it might help to define what criteria you’re using. Are you measuring emissions increases, policy changes, or global impact? Better clarification can make your conclusion more precise and easier to evaluate.

Answered: claim: DEI programs are academically beneficial for marginalized communities

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 05:01:09 +0000

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools and communities aim to create supportive environments for historically marginalized groups, including Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ students. While some critics argue that DEI centers certain demographics at the expense of others, research shows that these programs provide mentorship, tutoring, leadership opportunities, and tailored resources that help underrepresented students succeed academically and socially. Recent studies and reports also indicate that DEI initiatives can have broader benefits, supporting equity for women, veterans, and the wider community while fostering safer and more inclusive educational spaces. This investigation examines the effects of DEI programs, drawing on evidence from multiple sources to evaluate whether claims about their restrictive or exclusive nature are accurate.

CNN: The CNN article explains that DEI programs were created to reduce barriers and increase opportunities for historically excluded groups in education and employment. While the initiatives were designed to help marginalized communities such as Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ individuals, the article highlights that white women have also been significant beneficiaries of DEI programs, particularly in leadership roles and employment opportunities. This nuance shows that while DEI focuses on historically marginalized groups, its benefits can extend more broadly across different demographics. (CNN, 2025: https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/08/us/dei-programs-diversity-list)

League of Women Voters: The League of Women Voters emphasizes that DEI initiatives improve access and equity for a wide range of historically marginalized populations, including women, veterans, and people with disabilities. For women, DEI efforts have promoted mentorship programs, leadership opportunities, safer workplaces, and policies like pregnancy and parental leave benefits. The blog notes that without DEI, parity and representation would be harder to achieve for any group. Overall, the LWV frames DEI as essential to a democratic society where all people can fully participate. (LWV, 2025: https://www.lwv.org/blog/how-dei-impacts-us-and-democracy#:~:text=DEI%20has%20benefited%20women%20in%20many%20ways%2C,**Promoting%20pregnancy%20and%20parental%20leave%20and%20benefits**)

Region Five: Region Five explains that DEI programs are designed to ensure fair access to resources and services, especially in schools, healthcare, and public institutions. By promoting equity — tailoring resources to meet different groups’ needs — DEI programs help reduce bias and discrimination, improve educational and community outcomes, and prepare students for diverse workplaces. The page emphasizes that these practices support historically marginalized populations while also providing community-wide benefits, such as increased understanding and economic growth. (Region Five, 2025: https://region-five.org/how-dei-programs-can-impact-your-community/)

Possible biases include:

CNN: Mainstream news perspective; may emphasize debates about who benefits most.
LWV: Advocacy organization focused on civic engagement and women’s rights; may highlight benefits to support democratic participation and equity.
Region Five: Educational/community organization; may frame DEI positively to encourage program adoption and support.

Evidence Supporting the Claim:

DEI programs provide targeted support for historically marginalized groups, offering mentorship, leadership opportunities, and tailored resources.
Restorative practices and equity-focused interventions improve outcomes in education and community engagement.
Programs have measurable benefits for underrepresented students, including improved access to services and safer, more inclusive environments.

No direct contact was attempted for these sources. They are published content from established organizations (CNN, LWV, Region Five) and intended to be public-facing informational resources.

Answered: How climate change is making spring warmer, rainier and earlier

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:02:35 +0000

Data on first leaf emergence and bloom timing from 1991-2020 support the article's claim, indicating that spring is occurring earlier in many regions. According to the NOAA report referenced in the article, signs of spring across the United States are now appearing more than eight days earlier on average, with the exception of parts of the southeast where spring onset is sometimes delayed. An NOAA temperature trend map spanning 1896-2020 further illustrates long term warming patterns, showing average temperature increases of 0.1 to 0.4°F per decade. Additionally, the EPA reports that as global temperatures rise, extreme precipitation events are expected to increase, even in regions projected to receive less overall rainfall, which may experience more intense rainfall events instead. Other research suggests some northern regions are seeing decreased rainfall due to climate change, potentially resulting in fewer clouds. Overall the article relies on data from NOAA, a trusted scientific research agency, and the EPA, a government body.

NOAA - https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/how-spring-plant-milestones-are-shifting-response-changing-climate

EPA - https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/how-spring-plant-milestones-are-shifting-response-changing-climate

US National Science Foundation - https://www.nsf.gov/news/fewer-rainy-days-earlier-springs-linked-northern

Answered: There is no empirical scientific evidence that proves man made CO2 is having any effect on the climate.

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 20:06:13 +0000

This claim is false. The report published by Dr. David Evans that is cited in the claim does not meet the standards to be a credible source, it was not peer reviewed and has directly been disproven in a Skeptical Science post, which is a trusted source in debunking climate skeptics with scientific evidence. Human CO2 emissions and the impact it has on the climate are well established and heavily researched/supported by reliable sources like NASA and the IPCC. A NASA article reported that “The industrial activities that our modern civilization depends upon have raised atmospheric carbon dioxide levels by nearly 50% since 1750. This increase is due to human activities, because scientists can see a distinctive isotopic fingerprint in the atmosphere.” also citing the IPCC’s claim "Since systematic scientific assessments began in the 1970s, the influence of human activity on the warming of the climate system has evolved from theory to established fact." I also have looked over multiple peer reviewed articles from the UO Libraries, including this one, this one, and this one. Overall, there is a very well understood scientific conclusion that human CO2 emissions are having an immense effect on the climate.

Answered: 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded by far.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:58:12 +0000

Yes, this claim is true. According to Climate.gov, 2023 was the warmest year in the modern temperature record. It broke the former record by 0.27 degrees farenheit. This claim also comes straight from a government website, adding credibility to the argument.

Answered: Hurricane Melissa is worse than Hurricane Katrina

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:07:33 +0000

This claim can't be proven true or false. While Hurricane Melissa was very catastrophic and did cause intense damage, there's no way of measuring if it was worse than Katrina. All the sources I found connected to this claim explained that Hurricane Melissa was marked as a category 4 storm and had stronger winds than Katrina. However, Katrina was especially destructive and fatal because of the insufficiently executed evacuation, which ended up killing over 1,800 people in Louisiana. While in hurricane Melissa's case, there have only been 102 confirmed fatalities. Both hurricanes had very destructive effects in their own ways, but the two cannot be compared to see which was worse.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3d71q32w5o

https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/hurricane-melissa/

Answer selected: Climate Change is taking millions of lives each year

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:55:06 +0000

This clame is ture. According to the latest 2025 reports from the World Health Organization and The Lancet, the findings reveal that inaction on climate change has pushed 12 out of 20 key health indicators to record-breaking danger levels, linking rising temperatures, air pollution, and extreme weather to increased mortality. Specifically, outdoor air pollution from fossil fuel combustion causes approximately 2.5 million deaths per year, while heat-related mortality has increased by 23% since the 1990s, now claiming an average of 546,000 lives annually. Furthermore, global fossil fuel subsidies reached a staggering $956 billion in 2023, exceeding health budgets in many countries and significantly undermining public health protection efforts.

World Health Organization (WHO): Climate inaction is claiming millions of lives every year – warns new Lancet Countdown report https://www.who.int/news/item/29-10-2025-climate-inaction-is-claiming-millions-of-lives-every-year--warns-new-lancet-countdown-report
Lancet Countdown: 2025 Report on Health and Climate Change https://lancetcountdown.org/2025-report/

Answered: Top economists say global inequality has become such a big problem that countries must work together

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:11:37 +0000

This claim is true according to AP News and the Colombia Center for Political Economy. Both of these articles explain how multiple economists have agreed that it's time for world leaders to address the global inequality issue occurring. AP News explains, "CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Hundreds of top economists and other experts, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, called on Friday for the world to set up an independent international panel on income and wealth inequality." Aswell the Colobia Center for Political Economy provides names of more economists that agree, "referring to the findings of a G20 research committee led by noted American economist Joseph Stiglitz."

https://politicaleconomy.columbia.edu/news/more-500-economists-say-world-needs-coordinated-action-plan-address-inequality-politico

https://apnews.com/article/global-inequality-wealth-g20-347e08555b43a4c0c568e44ea69982fc

Answered: Climate change will make snowfall worse in some areas of the United States.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:04:31 +0000

The claim is true. While overall snow seasons are shortening, a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture about 4% more per 1F of warming leading to more intense individual snowstorms in regions where temperatures remain below freezing. Additionally, reduced ice cover on the Great Lakes has increased "lake-effect" snow in the upper Midwest and Northeast.

NOAA: Climate Change and Extreme Snow in the U.S. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/climate-change-and-extreme-snow-us

Answered: Facial recognition technology misidentifies people of color more frequently.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 10:58:09 +0000

The claim is true. According to a comprehensive study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which analyzed 189 facial recognition algorithms, most systems demonstrated significantly higher false-positive rates for Asian and African American faces compared to Caucasian faces. In many instances, the likelihood of an algorithm incorrectly matching two different individuals was 10 to 100 times higher for people of color. These demographic differentials raise critical concerns about the reliability of the technology, especially in high-stakes environments such as law enforcement.

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): NIST Study Evaluates Effects of Race, Age, and Sex on Face Recognition Software https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2019/12/nist-study-evaluates-effects-race-age-and-sex-face-recognition-software

The first 6 months of 2025 were the 'costliest ever' for U.S. weather disasters on record due to climate change.

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:16:39 +0000

There are records proving that the first 6 months of 2025 have been the costliest year in the U.S compared to 1980, due to weather disasters. But NBC news made the claim that this was due to climate change, without providing information to specify.

Commented: Electric vehicles are not worse for the environment than gas-powered cars because of battery production.

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 20:42:08 +0000

This is false. Electric vehicles are better for the environment. An article by NPR (5/9/2024) states that EV's do cause harm to the environment initially, but over each year it goes down while gas cars stay causing harm to the environment due to the fact that they run on fossil fuels.

Source: NPR - Their batteries hurt the environment, but EV's still beat gas cars.

Commented: plants are no longer absorbing carbon dioxide

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 21:25:06 +0000

The claim that plants are no longer absorbing carbon dioxide is false. In reality, plants continue to play a vital role in removing CO2 from the atmosphere through the process of photosynthesis. The process by which they use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce energy and release oxygen. According to a 2024 study reported by Technology Networks, global photosynthesis accounts for about 157 billion tons of carbon absorbed each year, even higher than previously estimated. Similarly, Columbia Climate School notes that plants currently absorb about 30 percent of all human-emitted CO2 annually, making them one of Earth’s most important carbon sinks. Forests alone sequester roughly 7.6 billion tons of CO2 per year, as documented by the World Resources Institute.
However, scientists are observing worrying trends, not that plants have stopped absorbing CO2, but that their capacity to do so is weakening in some regions. Extreme heat, drought, deforestation, and wildfires can reduce how efficiently ecosystems capture carbon. Still, these disruptions are temporary and only localized. The overall scientific consensus remains that plants continue to absorb vast amounts of CO2, but climate change is threatening to limit this natural buffering system. In short, the planet’s greenery hasn’t stopped breathing in carbon; it’s just struggling to keep up.
https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/plants-are-absorbing-31-more-carbon-dioxide-than-previously-thought-392349
https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2022/01/27/how-climate-change-will-affect-plants
https://www.wri.org/insights/forests-absorb-twice-much-carbon-they-emit-each-year

Commented: "Climate change is a hoax"

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 03:46:08 +0000

This claim is false. It’s a claim used to stir up political views. Royal examiner backs this up by stating “ The real science and associated data are either being ignored or modified to fit the political narrative.” Meaning this claim is a political scam. Its a way to spin whats actually happening and the truth with numbers.
One of the links to the article isn’t accessible but I did find another source that does contradict the initial claim that climate change is a hoax.“The primary role that human-produced carbon dioxide is playing in current global warming”- Climate.gov . There is also a nasa study that explains that the ocean is affected due to global warming. The study conducted by Nasa.gov states “Research shows that around 90 percent of the excess heat from global warming is being absorbed by the ocean.”

Commented: Thousands of species could go extinct due to climate change, depending on how hot the planet gets.

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 05:06:22 +0000

I think your specific example is really helpful and provides important insight however i think adding more context and an initial response to the original claim would help it transform into more of a fact-checking response. Even just citing another source would help elevate your response.

Commented: Taylor Swifts Air travel is causing irreversible damage on the environment

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 20:15:52 +0000

While I appreciate how well-worded this is, I went to check your link/sources to confirm what you were saying, and the links are either broken or not credible anymore. From the small amount of research I've personally done, your argument is roughly correct, but I would like to see properly linked evidence for your claims.

Commented: Climate change is directly affecting the aurora borealis

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:02:36 +0000

I see where you're going with this, and I like how straight to the point you are. However, it would've been helpful for me if you had explained your source's credibility, quoted them directly, and gone a little further into detail about the nuance of this subject. Without that, even though I agree with you, it's hard for your rebuttal to feel correct and credible. For example, it's more than just fog or pollution; the position of the sun and variations of the magnetic field also change the view of the northern lights.

Answer edited: Factcheck this: Ski Resorts Face Snow Loss from Climate Change

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 18:35:52 +0000

Unfortunately, this claim is accurate. The ski season has been and will be heavily impacted by the climate crisis. Rachel Yalof a climate change writer and Columbia graduate student explains, “From 2000-2019, the average ski season in the US has shortened by 5-7 days, with the number expected to double and possibly even triple by 2050” (https://earth.org/the-impact-of-climate-change-on-the-us-ski-industry/). As the ski season shortens skiers will be forced to rely on the ineffective and unfortunate, machine-made snow. An article from the Environmental Defense Fund explains, “From 1970 to 2024, average winter temperatures rose in 235 out of 241 locations in the U.S. studied in one analysis, by an average of 4 degrees Fahrenheit” (https://www.edf.org/warming-world-why-so-much-snow). Concerns about snow loss due to climate change started in the 70’s and as of 2024-2025, there has been 28% less snowfall than there is during an average ski season. This is due to 2024 being the warmest year on record. Climate.gov highlights that there is “an increase in average temperature across 95 percent of the nation’s land surface, and the temperature increases have been most widespread in winter, 1.5°F in most places” (https://earth.org/the-impact-of-climate-change-on-the-us-ski-industry/). Every skier who understands how climate change is affecting the globe fears for the beloved sport.

Answer selected: We need genetically modified crops to feed the world's growing population

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:57:23 +0000

The link from this claim post doesn’t back up the argument. Quoted directly from this website: “Biotechnology critics maintain that food insecurity is mostly a political and economic crisis. ‘Hunger is the result of distribution and infrastructure problems, and it won’t be eliminated by growing . GMOs,’”. The idea that GMOs are the only solution to world hunger is incorrect and designed to paint GMOs in a good light while dismissing any plan of restructuring the system of capitalism and how wealth and food is hoarded. The Canadian Biotechnology Action Network states “People are generally hungry not because of insufficient agricultural production, but because they do not have money to buy food, access to land to grow food, or because of complex problems like food spoilage, poor food distribution systems and a lack of reliable water and infrastructure for irrigation, storage, transport and financing”. This rhetoric that GMOs will save us, also stems from the green revolution, when corn, wheat and rice crops were modified to have higher yields. The international food policy research institute says “Overall, the Green Revolution was a major achievement for many developing countries and gave them an unprecedented level of national food security…At the same time, the Green Revolution had many negative environmental impacts that have still to be adequately redressed.”

https://geneticliteracyproject.org/gmo-faq/are-gmos-necessary-to-feed-the-world/#:~:text=No%20scientist%20claims%20that%20GMOs,are%20one%20tool%20among%20many.

https://cban.ca/wp-content/uploads/do-we-need-gm-feed-world-report-E-web.pdf https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/15888/files/mi02gr01.pdf

Answer edited: Plants aren't absorbing carbon anymore

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 04:34:26 +0000

This claim seems to be true but a little exaggerated. Plants have not stopped absorbing carbon all together but the article says "preliminary findings by an international team of researchers show the amount of carbon absorbed by land has temporarily collapsed." The article has many valuable sources and directly links the study and other examples of this issue. NASA also covered this issue and made the a similar claim on how ecosystems are becoming less efficient at absorbing carbon. It differs in saying that "plants aren't absorbing carbon anymore" and instead says that plants are absorbing less carbon each year but the message from both articles is the same. Both relay the message that climate change has hurt plant's abilities to absorb carbon as efficiently as they were able to years ago. The Guardian article is true and gives really good information on what is happening to carbon absorption. It is just the title that is pretty exaggerated that makes it sound like all plants just stopped absorbing carbon, which isn't the case.

Sources: https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3057/land-ecosystems-are-becoming-less-efficient-at-absorbing-carbon-dioxide/

USC students practice sustainability effectively

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 22:30:24 +0000

The USC University Park Campus has numerous sustainability movements that seem to have garnered positive student reception. From compost bins to a sustainability hub, student environmental involvement is positive at USC.

Answer edited: Factcheck this: A Solar Cycle peak is probable cause for more heat this summer

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:33:54 +0000

It is true that we are currently in solar maximum, and solar irradiance is closely correlated with surface temperatures on earth. According to Nasa, the sun undergoes a cycle every 11 years, in which the amount of solar irradiance on earth shifts by 1-1.5 watts per square meter between peak and valley, which accounts for about a 0.2-0.3 degrees celcius change in surface temperature. So this summer may be a little bit hotter than the last summer, but will be 0.2-0.3 degrees C hotter than summers 11 years ago. Again this is just on a planetary scale, the shift from El Niño to La Niña this summer will likely cause the next few years to be cooler than the last few for North America. Human caused climate change, resulting from the release of greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere has also caused about 1degrees C of heating over the last 100 years. In conclusion that claim that the solar peak will cause this summer to be hotter than one's 10 years ago is mostly true, the claim that this summer will be much hotter than last years is exaggerated/missleading, and the claim that the solar cycle is in fact responsible for the measured increase in temperature over that last 100 years, commonly referred to global warming is liar liar pants on fire false.

Sources: https://science.nasa.gov/resource/graphic-temperature-vs-solar-activity/

https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/wmo-update-predicts-60-chance-of-la-nina#:~:text=Latest%20forecasts%20from%20WMO%20Global,conditions%20during%20September%2DNovember%202024.

Answer selected: Humans have another billion years left on Earth.

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 03:41:55 +0000

it is said that humans could possibly be in earth for another billion years according to this article. There is also an unknown piece to it that anything could happen at any time and is really impossible to predict the end of the earth by one thing, the sum swelling, and determine that is when we will last.https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/will-humans-ever-go-extinct/#:~:text=Eventually%20humans%20will%20go%20extinct,years%20is%20a%20long%20time.

Cimate change is causing trees to struggle to "breathe"

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 03:56:08 +0000

According to CBS News, satellite Images show that Hurricane Milton may have reshaped Florida.

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 06:07:54 +0000

Satellite images taken before and after Hurricane Milton struck and passed over Florida last week show the extent of coastal damage.

The Atlantic Ocean is the Hottest it has Ever Been

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:43:09 +0000

I've been keeping up on the multiple hurricanes that have slammed parts of Mexico and the south eastern coasts of the United States. After seeing lots about how there is a need to create a new category of hurricane because of how powerful these hurricanes have been and that these hurricanes in particular are pushing the mathematical limits of what we thought Earth was capable of creating.

The fact of climate change being behind these hurricanes is undeniable, but I'm curious to see how the Atlantic oceans temperatures compare to its temperatures in the past; as I've read that it is the hottest that it has ever been.

Social media influencers gained followers and views by refusing to evacuate during Hurricane Milton.

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 22:06:32 +0000

Aspiring and established influencers experienced a surge of engagement by posting content of hurricane Milton, with some people staying in zones where evacuation was encouraged in order to post content of the storm.

"Americans are flocking to U.S. regions most threatened by climate change"

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 04:19:47 +0000

In the past few decades, but especially post-pandemic, natural disaster-prone areas have seen substantial population growth. The populations of high-risk counties are growing at a faster pace than low-risk counties, as seen in the growth of regions such as Tampa, Florida, and Asheville, North Carolina, which have both recently been hit by a surge of destructive hurricanes.

How Helene and Milton were supercharged by climate change.

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 01:02:23 +0000

NPR Article:

As Hurricane Milton approaches Florida's central west coast, residents are preparing for the worst. The storm exploded into a Category 5 hurricane earlier this week, and now threatens to be one of the strongest storms to ever hit the state.

Like Hurricane Helene, which slammed into Florida and the Southeastern United States nearly two weeks ago, Milton is predicted to bring with it massive storm surges, destructive winds, heavy rain and the risk of death for those in its path.

The damage Hurricane Milton could cause is chilling, but maybe not surprising.

"This season is looking to be an extraordinary one in a number of ways," NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad warned last May when the agency rolled out its annual hurricane outlook. One of the big reasons: Climate change is making storms more intense.

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How climate change fueled Helene and Milton.

According to NOAA, 2023 saw record breaking hot water temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. Higher temperatures mean more powerful storms.

"Basically, when the water is warmer, storms can suck up way more of that moisture and that then falls as heavier rain," says NPR's Rachel Waldholz.

The heat and water serve as energy for the storm, Waldholz says.

"So it makes it much more likely that we'll see the kind of rapid intensification that we saw, both with Helene and now with Milton, where storms get really, really big, really fast."

Rising sea levels — driven by the melting of ice on land — are making storm surges more dangerous and destructive.

"When a storm like Milton comes along, driving this huge wall of water in front of it, and water levels are already higher than they used to be, that's a recipe for a really catastrophic storm surge. And right now, we're seeing predictions of 15 feet of storm surge in some places."

How it's impacting humans.

These supercharged storms not only threaten more people along the coasts, but also farther inland. Torrential downpours brought by Hurricane Helene caused devastating flash flooding as far as North Carolina.

A recent study found that a hurricane the size and strength of Helene was made 200 to 500 times more likely by human-caused climate change.

In the long term, the U.S. can expect to see more storms like Helene and Milton as long as warming continues.

This episode was produced by Brianna Scott. It was edited by Sadie Babits and Courtney Dorning. Alejandra Borunda and Rebecca Hersher contributed reporting. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

My explantation:

I found this article off of the NPR.org website because I was curious about the intensity of Hurricane Milton and how that relates to human-caused climate change. This hurricane is considerably larger and more damaging than our world has seen in the past, and so I was curious on the part we played in all this as humans. Throughout the article, there were many mentions of the NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in which they stripped many of their facts from their study to put in this article. The NOAA a United States federal agency that studies and monitors the Earth's oceans, atmosphere and coastal regions, so NPR using them is a reliable source. At the end of their article, though, they began a claim starting with "a recent study found" referring to the size and strength of the hurricane and did not cite where they found this information. I am interested in this claim but I want to know where they got this information from.

Climate change made Helen more dangerous. It also makes similar storms more likely.

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 23:47:28 +0000

Researchers found that Hurricane Helene was stronger, rainier, and significantly more likely because of climate change. The U.S. can expect more such storms in the future as warming continues. Researchers with the Word Weather Attribution released multiple studies on the impact of climate change stating that Helene was about 10% heavier due to human-caused climate change, similar to other damaging, climate-fueled hurricanes in the past decade. They also found that climate change made such heavy rainfall up to 70% more likely in central and southern Appalachia where flooding has destroyed homes and businesses leaving thousands of people without power.

Hurricane Helen and Milton are exacerbated due to government cloud seeding.

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 16:56:56 +0000

U.S. representative Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed on October 3rd that the government was controlling weather cycles to target red states as the election approached. Paul A. Szypula, a candidate for the US Senate, responded and claimed that the technology used for changing the weather is a stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), a technology designed to create clouds that reflect sunlight into space, cooling the planet in the hope of reversing the effects of global warming. Despite Szypula's claim, this technology, while being developed, has not yet been deployed (according to Santa Clara University).

Public control of fossil fuel resources for managed decline is the right way forward toward decarbonization transition.

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 07:53:01 +0000

Public control of fossil fuel resources for managed decline is the right way forward toward decarbonization transition.

Phoenix will be inhabitable within 10 years due to extreme heat.

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 07:44:14 +0000

Phoenix will be inhabitable within 10 years due to extreme heat.

Egypt Sets New All-Time Record High Temperature: +50.9°C (123.6°F) in Aswan!

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 14:20:25 +0000

The siting of the temperature station where this "record" was recorded needs to be known. If it's in an urban area or at the airport it cannot be deemed reliable.

NTHE ear term human extinction

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 06:04:42 +0000

Based on this blog post: https://medium.com/@kconne/the-scientific-case-for-near-term-human-extinction-nthe-reviewing-the-evidence-2e5b8a12da26

Ocean heat breaks all records

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 22:42:01 +0000

Is the ocean really hotter than ever before?

Cleaning air pollution heats the planet

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 04:07:06 +0000

Iraq is among Arab states most vulnerable to water scarcity by 2050

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 22:46:06 +0000

Iraq has two major rivers and is on the ocean, will they really suffer a water shortage?

Global Warming To Raise Food Prices, Inflation: Study

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 17:54:23 +0000

UN sounds “Red Alert” as world smashes heat records in 2023

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 01:13:14 +0000

I thought the earth goes through natural cycles of warming and cooling that change the climate and the weather.

Mossad called the American Air Force an enemy of Israel

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 02:10:56 +0000

Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency called the U.S. Air Force an “enemy” of Israel in a post on X after an active-duty member of the military branch set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Did the UN in 1989 predict that the entire nations would be wiped off the map becasue of gloabal warming.

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:55:58 +0000

Kim Kardashian accused of being an "eco-terrorist" according to an instagram account.

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:34:22 +0000

Despite the growing backlash against stars like Taylor Swift over their constant use of private jets in recent years, Kim, 43, appears to have made no efforts to minimize her usage in 2024.

Eugene, Ore. is the worst place for people with spring allergies?

Sat, 16 Mar 2024 22:00:50 +0000

Local news station KVAL reports that Eugene, Ore. is the "No. 1 worst US city for allergy sufferers," but many national reports don't even list it in the top ten.