Earth.Org reaches hundreds of thousands of people every month across the world. But few readers know our platform is managed singlehandedly by one Editor and powered by hundreds of volunteer Contributing Writers. Our readers’ support is crucial in continuing to deliver free, original and independent journalism.

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Dear Earth.Org Readers,

Today, millions of people around the world celebrate World Environment Day, which this year calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution, one of the biggest environmental issues of our time.

In the past year, Earth.Org has dedicated a lot of its coverage to this pressing crisis.

We have covered critical negotiations for a Global Plastic Treaty, looking at why the last round of negotiations failed as well as the major coalitions that will join – and ultimately shape – this August’s summit in Geneva, Switzerland.

Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the environment each year, with impacts felt across oceans, waterways, and land. Only a Global Plastic Treaty can provide a coordinated international framework to tackle plastic production, use, and disposal, promoting sustainable practices and reducing waste at its source.

We have also covered powerful corporations’ greenwashing attempts to cover up their real contribution to plastic pollution. A recent Greenpeace report revealed that members of the Alliance to End Plastic Wastean, which include the world’s largest oil and gas companies, have produced more than 1,000 times the plastic than the scheme has cleaned up since its inception in 2019.

Luckily, individuals, environmental organizations and governments are fighting back, with dozens of ongoing climate lawsuits seeking to hold big polluters accountable for their actions.

Safeguard Free-For-All, Unbiased, Original Climate Reporting 

Earth.Org, a non-profit and registered charity, relies on the passion and commitment of hundreds of volunteer writers from across the globe – real people driven by a shared mission to protect our planet.

In a world awash with misinformation and automated content, Earth.Org has recently overhauled its Editorial Guidelines and implemented a rigorous artificial intelligence (AI) policy. All contributors must now commit to strict standards of transparency, originality, and authenticity, ensuring that every story we publish is rooted in truth and powered by genuine human insight.

This Environment Day 2025, we invite you to support our free, trusted, and independent journalism.

We reach nearly a million people each month around the world, yet fewer than 1% of our readers are donors – and even less than that are monthly supporters.

Your donation helps us keep this vital work accessible to all – because the fight for a livable planet belongs to everyone. Your money will contribute to:

1. Expanding our coverage: With your support, we can reach a wider audience and provide in-depth coverage of critical environmental issues – including climate change, energy, pollution, biodiversity, and conservation – and solutions.
2. Enhancing our research and data analysis capabilities: By investing in advanced research tools and data analysis techniques, we can expand our Data Visualization team to provide comprehensive insights and solutions for addressing environmental challenges.
3. Expanding our team: Your donation will help us sustain and expand our talented team to bring in more environmental experts, journalists, and researchers dedicated to bringing you accurate and impactful content.
4. Engaging in advocacy and policy initiatives: Earth.Org actively participates in advocacy efforts and collaborates with environmental groups and NGOs to drive meaningful change. Your support will enable us to amplify our advocacy work and influence policy decisions.

On this World Environment Day, support our efforts to inspire climate action globally by making a one-off donation to our newsroom or signing up as a monthly donor. Together, we can mobilize, act, and deliver the change our planet needs.

Support Earth.Org

Thank you,
Martina Igini
Editor-in-Chief

The post EDITORIAL – This World Environment Day, Support Earth.Org’s Non-Profit Climate Journalism appeared first on Earth.Org.

Whether you are commuting to work or relaxing in the evening, podcasts are a great way to learn more about the world around you. These are 23 of the best environmental podcasts available in 2025, from environmental science podcasts to investigative podcasts detailing how the climate crisis is already shaping our lives and what we can do about it.

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1. Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

PBS Nature’s Going Wild is returning for a fourth season on April 22 to coincide with Earth Day. On this chart-topping and multi-award-winning show, acclaimed wildlife ecologist and host Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant speaks with nature advocates – ranging from a paleoanthropologist who hunts fossils in conflict zones to a former butterfly technician who saved an endangered species while incarcerated. Each episode features a different nature champion and explores what led them to create change within themselves, their community, and the natural world.

2. Climate Rising

Harvard Business School’s Climate Rising explores how some of the world’s biggest business leaders are approaching the devastating effects of climate change. It unites business and policy experts with HBS faculty to exchange perspectives on the actions businesses are taking, can take, and ought to take in addressing the issue of climate change.

Climate Rising delves into the numerous obstacles and prospects that climate change presents for managers, including choices regarding their business locations, technological innovations, strategic approaches concerning products, marketing, customer interactions, and policies.

3. Real Organic Podcast

Real Organic Podcast is produced by the Real Organic Project, a farmer-led movement dedicated to preserving the integrity of organic food. It cuts through greenwashing to shed light on the forces reshaping organic agriculture. Through in-depth discussions with farmers, scientists, and activists, this series explores the policies, practices, and people working to uphold the integrity of organic agriculture in the face of industrialization. 

4. Outrage + Optimism

Co-hosted by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, who oversaw the landmark Paris Agreement on climate change, and CDP founder, Paul Dickinson, Outrage + Optimism explores the stories behind the headlines on climate change, talking to the change-makers turning challenges into opportunities. They delight in progress, question greenwash and get to grips with the difficult issues – sharing it all with their listeners along the way.

5. NASA’s Curious Universe Podcast

Curious Universe – an official NASA podcast hosted by astrophysicist and head of NASA’s Exoplanets and Stellar Astrophysics Laboratory Padi Boyd and audio producer Jacob Pinter – brings you mind-blowing science and space adventures you won’t find anywhere else.

Explore the cosmos alongside astronauts, scientists, engineers, and other top NASA experts who are achieving remarkable feats in science, space exploration, and aeronautics. Learn something new about the wild and wonderful universe we share. All you need to get started is a little curiosity.

6. A Matter of Degrees

In A Matter of Degrees, Dr. Leah Stokes and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson tell stories about the powerful forces behind climate change — and the tools we have to fix it. With the help of dozens of climate leaders, they tell stories of bold solutions and groundbreaking campaigns, stories of misdeeds and corruption and efforts to stop them, and stories of people doing their best to be a part of the solution.

7. Earth to Humans

This podcast gives more information about global conservation efforts, more research about their impacts and more ways to be an advocate for the planet. An interview series, this podcast features top experts in conservation, wildlife and environmental justice. 

You might also like: Top 20 Environmental Films You Can’t Miss

8. Think Sustainably

Think Sustainably focuses on sustainability and the overall impact of consumption. From waste to wealth, and grids to growth, the show digs into the impact of consumption across all areas of life – it tracks the movements, discoveries and technologies making way for a sustainable future.

While less of a story-driven podcast, there is a lot of information and recent research regarding environmental issues. At only 20-30 minutes, these episodes are perfect for those looking for bite-sized snippets of larger issues.

9. Yale Climate Connections

Hosted by Dr Anthony Leiserowitz of Yale University, this podcast is a daily two-minute investigative podcast detailing how the climate crisis is already shaping our lives and what we can do about it. From fossil fuels to extreme weather, clean energy to public health, and more, this is your daily dose of climate change reality- and hope.

It seeks to help individuals, corporations, media, NGOs, government agencies, academics, artists, and more learn from each other about constructive “solutions” so many are undertaking to reduce climate-related risks and wasteful energy practices.

10. The Food Fight

In The Food Fight, one of the few food-related environmental podcasts on Earth.Org’s list, Matt Eastland and Lucy Wallace examine the biggest challenges facing the food system, and the innovations and entrepreneurs looking to solve them. Recent episodes look at how coffee waste can power a sustainable future, and whether 3D printing could be the future of food.

11. The Nature Podcast

Produced by Nature Journal, the podcast brings listeners the best stories from the world of science each week. Topics range from astronomy to zoology and highlight the most exciting research from each issue of Nature Journal. Featuring interviews with the scientists behind the results, the podcast provides in-depth analysis from Nature’s journalists and editors.

12. So Hot Right Now

Though this podcast haven’t updated since 2021, it’s still a fantastic resource in understanding how we can survive in the era of climate change. Environmental journalist Lucy Siegle and wildlife filmmaker Tom Mustill spoke to those who have made it their mission to be vocal about how we are laying waste to our beautiful planet, including David Attenborough, former president of Ireland Mary Robinson, UN climate negotiator Christiana Figueres and Native American Veteran and Organizer Krystal Two-Bulls.

This podcast is informal, personal and passionate and will provide you with the tools to communicate about the climate crisis to anyone, be it your dad or the UN.

13. The Climate Briefing

From the Energy, Environment and Resources Programme at Chatham House and hosted by Antony Froggatt and Anna Aberg, The Climate Briefing explores the major issues that shape UN climate negotiations and international climate politics, including the new Global Biodiversity Framework, the climate crisis in South Asia, and outcomes of UN conferences such as COP29.

14. How to Save the Planet

Brought to you by environmental charity Friends of the Earth, How to Save the Planet discusses popular stories from the climate movement and breaks down often-complex issues, like environmental racism, eco-anxiety and fracking. Frank yet inspiring, the podcast, which ran until 2021, explores solutions to the climate crisis, and how anyone can have an impact, big and small. 

15. What Could Go Right?

What if instead of being on the brink of disaster, we were on the cusp of a better world? No one can deny the challenges the world faces, from pandemics to climate change to authoritarianism. But pessimism and despair are too easy a response.

Each week on What Could Go Right?, Progress Network Founder Zachary Karabell and Executive Director Emma Varvaloucas convene a diverse panel of experts to discuss the central issues of our era, including sustainability, polarisation, work, and the economy, and make the case for a brighter future. They emerge from their conversations with a counterintuitive but informed take: progress is on its way.

16. Big Closets Small Planet: Michael Schragger

It is a well-known fact that fast fashion and the fashion industry as a whole have a detrimental effect on the environment. This environmental podcast dives into the problems that the industry currently faces and examines the strategies and solutions that we need to take on to transform it. From business leaders and activists to innovators and entrepreneurs, hear from a whole hosts of inspiring people who are trying to implement more sustainable solutions in the fashion world.

17. Climate One

Since 2007, Climate One has been the premier platform for empowering conversations about the climate emergency. Through a weekly podcast, radio show, and in-person events, Climate One from The Commonwealth Club provides a trusted place for in-depth conversations that connect diverse perspectives from across the climate community. The podcast and public radio program can be found on 80 public radio stations across the US, creating opportunities for dialogue and inspiring a more complete understanding of the current crisis.

18. Forces For Nature

In Forces for Nature, eco-podcast producer and host Crystal DiMiceli interviews people working successfully to create a healthier and more humane world, from big-name scientists to a 10-year-old with his own recycling company. The show celebrates people who are doing great things in sustainability, conservation, and animal-related issues. Each episode presents an issue being faced but then quickly pivots from the problem to the effective solution that the guest has found. It leaves the listener with actionable tips that they can do to help.

19. The Jane Goodall Hopecast

This podcast takes listeners on a one-of-a-kind jourey as they learn from Dr Jane Goodall, a renowned scientist, activist, and storyteller, extraordinary life, hear from changemaking guests from every arena, and become awed by a growing movement sparked by Goodalland fueled by hope.

20. The Climate Pod

The Climate Pod, hosted by Ty Benefiel, is a wide-ranging conversation with leading experts on the politics, economics, activism, culture, science, and social justice issues at the heart of the climate crisis. Hear from guests like Jane Goodall, Katharine Hayhoe, and Paul Krugman.

21. Switched On

Each week, Switched On brings conversations about global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the transition to a low-carbon economy. Dana Perkins sits down with different BloombergNEF analysts to discuss their latest research and unique perspective on the future of energy, transport, agriculture, sustainability and more.

22. Boiling Point

Climate change is battering California. Can the state find a way forward? Every Thursday, award-winning L.A. Times columnist Sammy Roth dives deep with scientists, energy leaders, legislators, activists and journalists who are experts on today’s climate challenges and solutions. They discuss everything from electric cars to renewable energy to the difficulties of phasing out fossil fuels.

23. Living on Earth

As the planet we call home faces a climate emergency, Living on Earth, hosted by Steve Curwood, is your go-to source for the latest coverage of climate change, ecology, and human health.

You might also like: 23 Best Climate Change Books to Read

The post 23 Best Environmental Podcasts of 2025 appeared first on Earth.Org.

“If [Hurricane] Katrina pulled back the curtain on the reality of racism in America,” as Naomi Klein observed, then today – amid intensifying climate disasters – the need to confront this crisis through a social justice lens is more urgent than ever.

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By Mia N

In 1896, Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius presented the first clear explanation of climate change to the world. It has unfolded gradually since then, but its impacts are becoming ever more apparent. 

Rising ocean temperatures and increased moisture in the atmosphere are amplifying the frequency and severity of natural hazards. The intensity of natural disasters has exceeded earlier scientific predictions, as the changing climate acts as a “threat multiplier” that increases unpredictability and amplifies the impact of natural hazards, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“The risks associated with climate-related disasters do not represent a scenario of some distant future. They are already a reality for millions of people around the globe, and they are not going away.” – UN Undersecretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary Anne DiCarlo

Hurricane Katrina, a powerful Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds exceeding 135 miles per hour (217 km/h), hit New Orleans in late August 2005, claiming 1,833 lives. Last September’s Hurricane Helene was the deadliest hurricane to strike the continental US since Katrina, with a death toll surpassing 200 people. Hurricane Milton, which hit Florida just two weeks later, was one of the most powerful storms to strike the state in over 100 years. The two back-to-back hurricanes forced millions to flee their homes and left many with severe mental burdens for recovery. 

A study published shortly after confirmed that ocean warming fuelled by human-made climate change intensified all hurricanes in the Atlantic last year.

In January, deadly wildfires engulfed Los Angeles. In a matter of days, they spread to over 57,000 acres of land, leaving thousands of homes and structures in ruins and claiming more than 30 lives. Research later confirmed that climate change played a role in the fires.

While natural disasters affect entire communities, racially and ethnically marginalized groups often face disproportionate risks and greater obstacles during recovery due to long-standing social, political, and economic inequalities. Natural disasters in the era of climate change are not just environmental events — they are social justice issues. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, 84% of those reported missing in New Orleans were Black, despite Black residents comprising only 68% of the city’s population at the time. Many black neighborhoods were built on the low elevation of the city, with fewer resources to evacuate safely. 

During Hurricane Helene, more than 138,000 mobile homes in North Carolina were located in counties that received a major disaster declaration. Because mobile homes are generally more vulnerable to extreme weather, residents must evacuate to somewhere else for safety – typically at their own expenses. 

Wildfires in California disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). It may sound bizarre to many people, since the white population is overrepresented in the wildfire-prone areas. And yet, compared to other communities, white people tend to receive more resources, resulting in significantly greater resilience to natural hazards. 

A study shows that Indigenous communities in California are exposed to roughly 1.7 times as much wildfire smoke as the general population, on average. In general, Indigenous peoples are six times more likely to reside in regions prone to wildfires. Unfortunately, these communities are not well supported during climate disasters like wildfires, due to a lack of resources, information, and funding. Despite safe evacuation procedures, extreme weather events can still lead to significant emotional distress and feelings of disconnection, particularly among Indigenous communities whose identity and well-being are closely tied to the land and natural environment. 

Alleviation and Solutions

Not all natural hazards have to turn into a disaster, resulting in significant damage or casualties. Implementing natural disaster preparation, assessing potential risks, and building resilience can help avoid this. 

A 2024 study revealed that each dollar allocated to climate resilience and preparedness yields a US$13 return in reduced damage, cleanup, and economic disruption. According to a calculation provided by the US Chamber of Commerce, the City of Miami’s $10.8 billion investment in hurricane preparedness and resiliency could pay off significantly in the event of a Category 4 hurricane. The effort is projected to save 184,000 jobs, protect nearly $26 billion in economic output, and preserve more than $17 billion in income across the region. Even without a major disaster, the resilience investments would still generate economic benefits by creating jobs and stimulating local employment during implementation. 

Ensuring that disaster preparedness and related investments are implemented equitably means placing  greater focus on communities most at risk. Support must be easily accessible, with information and resources provided in multiple languages to meet diverse community needs. This includes offering financial aid, sharing climate education materials, improving neighborhood infrastructure for greater climate resilience, and training residents in emergency response. For policies to be truly equitable, they must be guided by the lived experiences of affected communities and developed in partnership with local organizers and community leaders.

It is also essential to adapt preparedness plans to reflect the distinct needs and experiences of Indigenous communities, which often differ from the rest of the population. Moreover, integrating traditional ecological knowledge — rooted in respect and coexistence with nature — can offer valuable insights for sustainable environmental management.

Featured image: UN Women Asia and the Pacific/Flickr.

The post When Disaster Strikes Unequally: Climate Justice at the Forefront appeared first on Earth.Org.

Earth.Org is pleased to invite you to the screening of the documentary City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs, on May 12 at The Hive Studios in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong.

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Earth.Org and The Nature Conservancy in Hong Kong, in collaboration with the Hive Hong Kong, are proud to present you the screening of City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs.

This one-hour documentary by The Nature Conservancy, filmed over three years, chronicles over seven years of ongoing research and conservation work across Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta.

Through historical research and scientific exploration, the documentary unveils how oysters shaped the Pearl River Delta’s development – diving deeper into the socio-cultural ties between oysters and coastal communities, the lime industry that fuelled early infrastructure across the region and the thriving marine ecosystems that once flourished beneath its waters.

Produced and directed by Mike Sakas, the film follows a team of researchers, restoration ecologists, citizen explorers and marine scientists as they search for remnant reefs, using historical maps, ecological surveys, and underwater expeditions to piece together clues about where these lost habitats might still perdure.

Their findings suggest that not all is lost, and if restoration efforts are implemented at scale, oyster reefs could flourish once more. And the prospect is huge – by filtering millions of liters of water daily, providing essential habitats for countless marine species, and acting as natural coastal barriers against storms and erosion, these restored ecosystems would significantly enhance the biodiversity and ocean health, bringing life back to our waters.

A 30-minute post-screening sharing and Q&A moderated by Earth.Org’s Editor-in-Chief Martina Igini featuring Associate Director of Conservation at TNC Hong Kong Marine Thomas and Executive Producer Adam Janikowski, PhD will follow. They will be sharing insights on reef restoration and the impact of these ecosystems on our environment.

RSVP here, seats limited.

Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 7–8.30 p.m.
Address: The Hive Studios, 8th floor, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Hong Kong (directions)

More about the topic: ‘The Oyster Odyssey’: A Journey to Restore Hong Kong’s Coastal Ecosystems 

The post EVENT: Screening of ‘City of Shells: Our Forgotten Oyster Reefs’ appeared first on Earth.Org.

There are over 1,300 endangered or threatened species in the US today.

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The 1973 Endangered Species Act has been a cornerstone of wildlife protection in the US, with a success rate of 99%.

The law prohibitd actions that harm endangered species and their habitats to counteract persistent human activies including land conversion for agriculture and development purposes, pollution, and climate change, which are threatening hundreds of species.

But in a highly contested move that environmentalists say could lead to habitat destruction and extinction, the Trump administration last week proposed a rule change to remove a definition from the ESA that protects critical habitats from modification and destruction. There are over 1,300 endangered or threatened species in the US today, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Noah Greenwald, co-director of endangered species at the Center for Biological Diversity, said: “There’s just no way to protect animals and plants from extinction without protecting the places they live. The Trump administration is opening the flood gates to immeasurable habitat destruction.”

In light of the move, Earth.Org looks at 10 endangered species in the US, and the threats they face.

Endangered Species in the US

1. Red Wolf

Identifiable by its reddish fur behind their ears, neck and legs, the red wolf is the world’s most endangered wolf. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) now categorizes red wolves as critically endangered.

Once common in eastern and south central regions of the US, the red wolf was listed as a species “threatened with extinction” under the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1967, after population numbers dropped significantly due to decades of human activity including gunshots and vehicle collisions.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service reintroduced them in eastern North Carolina in the late 1980s to help conserve and recover the rare species, though the species remains highly threatened, with only 20-30 individuals left.

2. Florida Panther

While not currently assessed or listed by the IUCN, the Florida Panther is federally listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. 

The wildcat, once ranged throughout the southeastern US, now survives only in a tiny area of South Florida, where only 120-230 individuals continue to roam in the wild as a result of habitat destruction and widespread urbanization to accommodate the growing human population. Inland development such as roads and highways also pose a danger to panthers attempting to cross the land.

The panthers can be spotted in forests, prairies, and swampland such as the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. 

3. Florida Manatee

Florida is also home to another notable US endangered species: the manatee.

In 1967, the manatee was among the first wildlife species to be protected under the newly-created Endangered Species Preservation Act. Thanks to decades of conservation efforts, manatee numbers recovered, prompting the US Fish and Wildlife Service to downlist the species from “endangered” to “threatened” under the ESA in 2017.

Between 2021 and 2022, nearly 2,000 manatees died in Florida, far exceeding the annual average of 578 deaths between 2015 and 2020. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) described it as an “unusual mortality event.” Conservation groups said the deaths represented more than 20% of the state’s population, and the species “should have never been downlisted.”

But calls for the species to be considered endangered again went unanswered, with the US Fish and Wildlife Service saying in January that the Florida population has stabilized at between 8,350 and 11,730 animals.

“For almost 60 years, the Service has worked closely with conservation partners to save Florida and Antillean manatees from extinction,” said Southeast Regional Director Mike Oetker. “The best available science always drives our decision-making, and we are committed to ensuring the protection and recovery of both subspecies of the West Indian manatee.”

4. Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The Loggerhead sea turtle first joined the endangered species list in 1978 following a 50-90% population decline from the destruction of its beach nesting habitats and overharvesting of its eggs.

The turtle is also common victims of bycatch in commercial fishing and trawling. As 95% of its US breeding population is located in Florida – though they can be also be found in South and North Carolina, and the Alabama coasts in the Gulf of Mexico – loggerhead sea turtles were heavily impacted by the development boom there, especially in recreational beach activities in which the Sunshine State is famous for.

With decades of dedicated conservation efforts, the species managed to increase 24% of its population number between 1989 and 1998, with an estimated total of more than 100,000 nests per year. 

More on the topic: The Implications of Global Warming For Sea Turtle Management and Survival

5. California Condor

Though the bald eagle is the most recognizable bird of the prey in the US, the California condor is the largest known wild bird in North America. By the 1980s, only about six individuals were left in the wild. The staggering number was a result of lead poisoning, where birds often accidentally ingest bullet fragments left in animal carcasses, and reduced eggshell thickness – which prevents the species to repopulate – from ingesting a synthetic insecticide known as DDT.

The remaining six condors were then captured for an intensive breeding recovery programme, which helped boost population numbers up to 223 by 2003. 

The species remains listed as “critically endangered”, with some 93 mature individuals left in the wild, according to the IUCN.

6. Mississippi Gopher Frog

The endangered Mississippi Gopher Frog, once widespread across the southeastern US, is one of the country’s most endangered amphibians, with only a few hundred individuals left in the wild.

Threatened by habitat loss due to urbanization, draining of wetlands, and pollution, this species struggles to survive in its remaining fragmented habitats. More than 98% of America’s native longleaf-pine forest, upon which the frog depends, have been destroyed, further threatening its existence.

The frogs lay eggs in shallow ponds that easily dries up for several months of the year, which deters fish from ingesting them. The amphibian was listed as an endangered species in 2001. In 2012, the US Fish and Wildlife Service designated nearly 7,000 acres of protected critical habitat in Mississippi and Louisiana to help its population recovery. 

7. San Joaquin Kit Fox

The San Joaquin kit fox is the smallest fox in North America, measuring 51 centimeters in lenght with​ big conspicuous ears.

Once very common in the San Joaquin Valley and much of Central California, the San Joaquin Kit Fox was listed as endangered in 1967, threatened by extensive habitat loss and land conversion for agriculture and cities, as well as rodenticides in soil, which are crucial to kit fox burrows and denning. By 1979, less than 7% of the land south of Stanislaus County in the San Joaquin Valley was still undeveloped.

Populations have not continuously been monitored, with the latest assessment in the 1990s counting some 7,000 individuals.

8. Franklin’s Bumble Bee

Franklin’s bumble bee has not been sighted since 2006 and it is classified by the IUCN as “critically endangered,” with the latest assessment carried out in 2008.

One of the rarest bumblebees in the US, the species can only be found between southern Oregon and northern California. Population numbers have plummeted since 1998 due to habitat loss, widespread use of agricultural pesticides, as well as diseases transported through commercial greenhouses.

Following a petition submitted to the California Fish and Game Commission in October 2018, Franklin’s bumble bee and three other bumblebees were added to the list of protected species under the California Endangered Species Act in 2019.

More on the topic: What Happens to Ecosystems When Bees Disappear?

9. North Atlantic Right Whale

North Atlantic right wales are among the most endangered whales in the world, with only about 400 individuals and likely fewer than 100 breeding females remaining today. In 2020, the species was moved from “endangered” to “critically endangered” on the IUCN Red List.

The total population having declined by approximately 15% since 2011, primarily due to entanglement and vessel strikes. Since 2017, 78% of the 123 known incidents that have killed or seriously injured right whales are due to confirmed vessel strikes or gear entanglements.

The deaths of female right whales have the greatest implications for the long-term survival of the population. Because right whale females are not sexually reproductive until the age of ten and produce one calf every six to ten years, the loss of a single female is a significant blow for the species.

10. Black-Footed Ferret

Black-footed ferrets are the only ferret species native to the Americas and depend exclusively on prairie dog burrows for food and shelter. Conversion of native grasslands to agricultural land, widespread prairie dog eradication programs, and non-native disease have all contributed to a reduction of black-footed ferret populations to less than 2% of their original range.

The black-footed ferret is listed as “endangered” on the IUCN Red List and it is one of the rarest mammals in North America.

Once common throughout the Great Plains, from southern Canada to northern Mexico, the species became extinct in the wild in the 1980s, though conservation efforts successfully reintroduced
populations in eight western US states and in Chihuahua, Mexico. As of 2015, over 200 mature individuals are in the wild across 18 sites.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons.

The post A Look at Some of the Most Endangered Species in the US appeared first on Earth.Org.

Earth Day reminds us of the biggest environmental issues and their drivers. Here are 5 interesting Earth Day facts and how we can all do our part to help and support the environment.  

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Earth is home to more than 8 billion people, 300,000 plant species, over 600,000 species of fungi, and about 10 million animal species. Ecosystems around the world provide precious services and resources to sustain all life on Earth, yet humanity continues to take them for granted. Anthropogenic climate change is threatening the planet, and we need to do everything we can to conserve and protect our home.

Earth Day, celebrated annually on April 22, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about environmental protection and sustainability. Keep reading to learn about fascinating Earth Day facts and discover actionable ways to get involved in preserving our planet for future generations.

1. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970

Prior to the first Earth Day, Americans were guzzling up vast amounts of leaded petrol – the global use of which has since been eradicated. Deadly smog and polluting smoke were also accepted daily occurrences. However, following a series of oil spills and emerging public consciousness about the detrimental impacts of air and water pollution, people’s attitude changed.

Inspired by the energetic student-led, anti-Vietnam war protest movement, US Senator Gaylord Nelson introduced a teach-in on college campuses on environmental awareness, which eventually snowballed into the global movement know today as Earth Day. 

2. Earth Day is the largest secular observance in the world

Despite being celebrated almost exclusively in the US for almost 20 years, Earth Day has now become an internationally recognized day and is celebrated across more than 192 countries. Every year, 1 billion individuals across the globe are united and mobilised for the same cause – greater environmental awareness and climate action.

3. Earth Day always takes place on April 22 

Senator Nelson originally picked April 22 as the first Earth Day as it fell right between Spring Break and final exams, maximizing student participation and turnout for the event. It has been kept on the same day to encourage even more college students to join in celebrations and protests, and every year, thousands of rallies, concerts, and outdoor activities are organized worldwide.

4. Earth Day cemented many major environmental policies

The first edition of Earth Day kicked off the national conversation on the lack of environmental laws in the country, which led to the adoption of some of the most important and comprehensive federal laws on environmental protection. This included the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act amendment (1972), and the 1973 Endangered Species Act.

In 2016, the United Nations also chose Earth Day to sign the Paris Agreement, the world’s most important and comprehensive climate agreement for limiting global warming to below 1.5C or at least “well below” 2C above pre-industrial levels.

5. Earth Day wants us to unite behind renewable energy

Each edition of Earth Day has a different theme. The 2025, theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” calls for everyone to unite around renewable energy and the global target to triple clean electricity by 2030 agreed upon at COP28.

You might also like: 15 Biggest Environmental Problems of Our Lifetime

How You Can Get Involved

Climate change is undoubtedly the biggest environmental issue we face today, and we are running out of time to reverse it. The latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that global temperatures will very likely rise 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2040, and it is “now or never” to limit global warming.

We have all the tools and options to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is time we make use of them. 

1. Civil action

Public pressure and civil society mobilization are the greatest tool in global shed to drive institutional and systemic changes. Hold politicians, governments and companies across sectors accountable for their actions – target organisations and businesses that are linked to fossil fuel industries, deforestation, and harmful activities to the environment that could lead to the loss of habitats and biodiversity.

Whether it is the fast fashion industry that is generating millions tonnes of textile waste and wastewater, or the companies that recklessly generate emissions and pollute the environment, you can use your voice and make a difference. From local petitions and advocacy to large-scale boycotts and protests, there is no action too small. 

2. Individual action

We can achieve a sustainable future for us with our combined efforts, if every individual in the world make changes to their lifestyles. You can make it a habit to join in community reforestation efforts or beach cleanups.

On an individual level, simple switches to plant-based diets (or at least reduce meat consumption) can alleviate significant stress on deforestation and emissions in the agricultural sector; eliminating single-use plastics and replace them with reusable and recyclable materials; giving up fast fashion in support of sustainable fashion; opting for public transportation and low-emission means of transport such as biking and electric cars can all go a long way.

Don’t forget, daily acts of composting and recycling are not to be underestimated in reducing your carbon footprint.

Check out our new ‘What Can I Do’ portal to find out how you can play a part in the fight against climate change. Act now!

The post Earth Day 2025: 5 Earth Day Facts to Know About and How To Get Involved appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including temperature trends in March and the latest from the Trump administration’s war on climate.

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1. March 2025 Was Europe’s Hottest on Record, Second-Hottest Globally, Says EU Monitor

The global average temperature stood at 14.06C, 1.60C above the pre-industrial level for March, according to data by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). This makes last month the 20th month in the last 21 months for which the global-average surface air temperature surpassed the 1.5C mark.

Temperature over Europe – the fastest-warming continent – remained above average, with the average temperature for the region at 6.03C, 2.41C above the 1991-2020 average for March.

The continent was also affected by “contrasting rainfall extremes,” said Samantha Burgess, Strategic Lead for Climate at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

Meanwhile, Arctic sea ice last month had its lowest monthly extent since satellite record-keeping began 47 years ago, the EU agency said on Tuesday. The previous three months also saw a record low for the time of year, it added.

Read the full article.

2. Trump’s Signs Executive Orders to Revive ‘Beautiful Clean Coal’ in Blow to US Emissions Reduction Efforts

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed four executive orders aimed at reviving coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, and eliminate Biden-era laws meant to curb greenhouse gases both within states and nationwide.

Standing in front of a group of coal miners at the White House, Trump said that his administration “will rapidly expedite leases for coal mining on federal lands” and “streamline permitting.”

The order paving the way for all this describes coal as “beautiful,” “clean,” “abundant and cost effective,” and capable of meeting the nation’s rising electricity demand. It directs federal agencies to identify and eliminate policies that discourage investment in coal production and coal-fired electricity generation.

A similar attempt to revive the industry by the first Trump administration failed, with nearly 100 coal plants retiring or announcing retirements during Trump’s first term. 

Now, Trump is back at it, working to fulfil his campaign promise to “unleash American energy.” But reviving an industry in decline even in the US means eliminating existing policies introduced by former president Joe Biden last year in a bid to curb emissions.

Read the full article.

3. US Exits Critical Global Talks to Decarbonize Shipping Sector

The United States has abandoned global talks aimed at decarbonizing the shipping sector and threatened to reciprocate against any fees that US ships could incur.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nation’s shipping agency, is expected to reach an agreement on carbon charges for the maritime sector on Friday following two weeks of negotiations at the agency’s headquarters in London. 

A State Department spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that the US will not be “engaging in negotiations” after news broke of a diplomatic demarche the US sent to ambassadors on Tuesday.

In the leaked note, the US said it “rejects any and all efforts to impose economic measures against its ships based on GHG emissions or fuel choice” and “urges your government to reconsider its support for the GHG emissions measures under consideration.” It also promised to “consider reciprocal measures” meant at offsetting any fees US ships may incur if the IMO adopts new emissions measures.

The spokesperson added that it was the administration’s policy to put US interests first in the “development and negotiation of any international agreements,” Reuters reported.

Read the full article.

4. Climate Change Made ‘Bonkers’ Central Asia Heatwave Up to 10C Hotter: Report

Temperatures climbed to nearly 30C across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan in late March – up to 15C higher than the seasonal average, according to World Weather Attribution.

Led by 10 researchers from universities and meteorological agencies in the Netherlands, Sweden,
Denmark, the US and the UK, the study concluded that climate change was responsible for at least 4C of that warming over the five-day period. But the team cautioned that this was “likely” an underestimation, as models do not account for the region’s unusually rapid rise in temperature in March, which is heating up “much faster” compared to any other month, the authors said.

The 10C change above pre-industrial levels is “quite frankly bonkers,” said study co-author Ben Clarke, adding that the group’s studies typically identify changes of 2-4C.

Once-rare warm spells like this can be expected about once every three years because of human-induced global warming, which has made the Earth 1.3C hotter compared to pre-industrial levels, the group said. The continued burning of fossil fuels is poised to make events like this even hotter and more frequent, it added.

Read the full article.

5. US Weather Service Set to Halt Foreign-Language Forecasts As Contract With AI Translation Firm Expires

A contract between the National Weather Service (NWS) and a translation company expired on Tuesday, leaving millions in the US without foreign language weather forecasts.

The NWS, the country’s primary source of weather, hydrologic, and climate data and provider of forecasts and warnings, has been relying on foreign-language translation service Lilt for forecast translations since 2023. The five-year contract, valued at $5.8 million and set to be renewed every spring, helped provide weather forecast translations into Spanish, Chinese, and three other languages to some 30 cities and metropolitan areas across the country, according to Bloomberg.

But a deadline to renew the contract passed on Tuesday, and people familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg said that there are currently no plans to substitute the service while the agency waits for approval to renew the agreement with Lilt. Neither companies responded to the news agency’s request for comment.

Read the full article.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for April 7-11, 2025 appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including findings from the United Nation’s latest State of the Global Climate report.

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1. Record Sea Levels, Ocean Heat, CO2 Concentrations in 2024 a ‘Wake-Up Call’ For Humanity, Warns UN Weather Agency

Highest atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide in 800,000 years, record ocean heat content and sea levels and lowest Arctic sea-ice extents. This is the grim picture emerging from the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) new State of the Global Climate report, which looked at changes in climate trends over the course of 2024, the hottest year on record.

These “distress signals” are “clear signs” of the impacts of human activities on our climate and environment, with some consequences deemed “irreversible over hundreds if not thousands of years,” the report concluded.

Atmospheric concentrations of all three major planet-warming greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, and nitrous oxide – reached new highs in 2024, the report confirmed. 

Each of the past eight years has set a new record for ocean heat content, according to the report, with 2024 seeing the highest level in the 65-year observational record. It also added that the rate of ocean warming over the past two decades (2005-2024) is more than twice that in the period 1960-2005.

The global mean sea level also reached its peak since satellite recordings began in 1993, rising at twice the rate between 2015 and 2024 compared to the 1993-2002 period, from 2.1 mm annually to 4.7 mm per year. 

Read the full story.

2. Glaciers Once Deemed ‘Eternal’ Will Not Survive 21st Century, Warns UN

Glaciers are disappearing at an alarming rate, with five of the past six years witnessing the most rapid glacier retreat and the 2022-2024 witnessing the largest three-year loss of glacier mass in recorded history.

Over the past 18 years, the Arctic has witnessed its 18 lowest sea-ice extents on record, indicative of a concerning trend in the region, according to the report. Similarly, the Antarctic has experienced its three lowest ice extents within the last three years.

Glaciers – separate from the continental ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica – have lost a total of more than 9,000 billion tons since records began in 1975, the equivalent of an ice block the size of Germany and with a thickness of 25 meters, as indicated by the World Glacier Monitoring Service. At this rate, the organization warns that what used to be called glaciers’ “eternal ice” will disappear within the current century.

Read the full story.

3. Extreme Weather Events in 2024 Led to Highest Number of New Displacements Since 2008

Warmer temperatures are the main driver of more frequent and intense extreme weather events like tropical cyclones, floods, and droughts around the world, which in 2024 led to the highest number of new displacements recorded for the past 16 years, the UN weather agency has said.

A total of 605 extreme weather events occurred last year globally, according to data by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Some 824,500 were displaced and around 1,700 people were killed as a result, while 1.1 million people were reportedly injured.

Of these events, 148 were classified as “unprecedented” and 289 as “unusual.” An event can be rare or unusual in terms of magnitude, location, timing, or extent.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the most authoritative scientific body on the subject, human-induced greenhouse gas emissions have led to an increase in both the frequency and intensity of some weather and climate extremes since pre-industrial times. This is particularly true for temperature extremes.

Read the full story.

4. Over 400 Olympians Call For Bold Climate Action From Incoming IOC President

This week, in Costa Navarino, Greece, members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) elected a new president. Ahead of the election, athletes have published an open letter signed by 406 Olympians from 89 countries and more than 50 different sports. Their ask? That the future president ensures the Games remain viable for future generations by making the care of our planet their number one priority. 

The Olympics as we know them are at risk with worsening environmental conditions disrupting competitions and impacting the countries that make up the Olympic family. Recurring storms, floods, droughts, or wildfires are reducing opportunities to practice and shifting participation rates, particularly for small-island nations. Recognizing these growing threats on training, competition schedules and performance, athletes have been driven to sign the open letter and call on the next President of the IOC to take decisive action to ensure the Olympics remain accessible and safe for generations to come. 

The IOC has its share of responsibility when it comes to addressing climate change. The Games’ carbon footprint is massive, largely due to travel by fans, athletes, journalists, and organizers, which is responsible for almost two-thirds of the total Olympic carbon dioxide (CO2) emission.

Read the full article.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for March 17-21, 2025 appeared first on Earth.Org.

This weekly round-up brings you key climate news from the past seven days, including the latest from the Trump administration and a new report on changing weather patterns globally.

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1. EPA’s Decision to Scrap $20bn in Climate Grants Based on ‘Inaccurate, Politicized’ Claims, Says Grantee

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has terminated grant agreements worth $20 billion issued by the Biden administration to finance clean energy and other climate-friendly projects.

The grant money was made available through the $27-billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created with former president Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. It was awarded in April 2024 to eight organizations, which were tasked with financing “tens of thousands” of projects ranging from home energy retrofitting to air pollution reduction.

Among the eight non-profits the money was awarded to was Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), an organization that focuses on community development investment. In a statement on Thursday, OFN said the EPA’s decision to freeze the fund impacts the “planned announcement” of over $228 million in initial grants to 26 organizations to fund housing, distributed energy, and transportation infrastructure initiatives across over 30 states.

OFN also said the EPA’s decision is based on “inaccurate and politicized claims” that are “baseless and undermine a critical effort to drive American energy independence, local resilience, and job creation in communities.”

Read the full article.

2. 36 Fossil Fuel Giants Responsible For Half of World’s CO2 Emissions: Report

The list, compiled by thinktank InfluenceMap, mostly comprises state-owned companies, which have emerged as the largest emitters by type, followed by investor-owned entities. Together, the 36 fossil fuel giants produced more than 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in 2023 – the reference year for the analysis.

Saudi Aramco topped the list at 1.839 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), accounting for 4.38% of global CO2 emissions. If Aramco was a country, it would be the fourth largest polluter in the world after China, the US, and India.

The Saudi company was closely followed by Coal India – the world’s largest government-owned coal producer – and CHN Energy, a Chinese state-owned mining and energy company. Their emissions accounted for 3.68% and 3.65% of global CO2 emissions, respectively. American ExxonMobil and Chevron as well as British Shell were also in the top 20, alongside several other Chinese companies.

Read the full article.

3. All But 7 Countries Faced Unsafe Air Pollution Levels in 2024: Report

Exception made for Australia, Estonia, New Zealand, Iceland, Grenada, Puerto Rico, and French Polynesia, all countries exceeded the annual level last year, Swiss air quality technology company IQAir said in its annual report published on Wednesday, with several regions recording dangerously high pollution levels.

Chad, a country in north-central Africa, recorded the highest annual PM2.5 concentration at 91.8µg/m3, much higher than the WHO’s recommended safe level of 5µg/m3. It was followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and India.

17% of cities included in the report met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline level, up from 9% in 2023. The Indian capital New Delhi remained the most polluted capital in the world, closely followed by Chad’s N’Djamena. Both cities had an annual average PM2.5 concentration of more than 90µg/m3.

The report was compiled with data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations and low-cost sensors worldwide, which are operated by research institutions, government agencies, schools, universities, non-profit organizations, private companies, and citizen scientists, according to IQAir.

Read the full article.

4. Hong Kong Weather Flipping From Wet to Dry Extremes As Climate Change Throws Water Cycle ‘Out of Balance’

Climate change is making once-wet cities like Hong Kong exponentially drier, according to new research on the climate change-driven shifts of weather patterns in urban areas around the world.

The academic study, commissioned by non-profit WaterAid, looked at the world’s top 100 most-populated cities. It concluded that 44% of urban centers worldwide were getting drier. Hong Kong, along with Egypt’s capital Cairo, Spain’s capital Madrid, and the Saudi Arabian cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, topped the list of climate hazard flip cities facing increasing dry extremes.

The shift in weather patterns also sees cities such as Sri Lanka’s Colombo, Mumbai in India and Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur flip from dry to wet. According to the report’s findings, which are based on the analysis of four decades of wetting and drying trends, 52% of the world’s most populated cities are getting wetter.

13% of these – including several Indian and Pakistani cities, as well as Colombia’s capital Bogotá and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam – are experiencing a flip from extreme dry to extremely wet.

Read the full article.

5. US Exits Board of Hard-Fought Loss and Damage Fund, Further Distancing Itself From Global Climate Commitments

A letter to fund co-chair Jean-Christophe Donnellier and seen by Reuters said both the US Board Member and the US Alternate Board Member will step down “effective immediately.” It was not clear from the letter whether this also meant the country was pulling out entirely from the fund, which is hosted by the World Bank, whose president is appointed by the US.

The “loss and damage” fund was instituted at the COP27 summit in 2022, marking a huge win for developing countries seeking justice for the damage incurring from a crisis they did not create. Nearly 200 countries, including the US, approved a framework for the fund at COP28 a year later.

As of 23 January 2025, 27 countries and regions have pledged a total of US$741 million to the fund, according to UN figures. $17.5 million came from the US.

Separately, the US last week voted against a UN resolution on creating an International Day of Peaceful Coexistence and reaffirming the 2030 Agenda, a global framework to achieve sustainable development and promote piece and prosperity around the world. It was the only country to reject the resolution along with Israel and Argentina.

Read the full article.

The post Week in Review: Top Climate News for March 10-14, 2025 appeared first on Earth.Org.

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2025 Reader Survey

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