Environment
Follow the latest Environment news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
October 1, 2023, 11:18 PM

A fight over precious groundwater in a rural California town is rooted in carrots

In a remote, dry patch of California, a battle is raging over carrots.
October 1, 2023, 11:18 PM
Fight over precious groundwater in rural California is rooted in carrots
September 26, 2023, 12:30 PM

Boost in solar energy and electric vehicle sales gives hope for climate goals, report says

Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) is becoming harder but a narrow window remains because clean energy infrastructure has grown around the world, a new report said Tuesday
September 26, 2023, 12:30 PM
Boost in solar energy and electric vehicle sales gives hope for climate goals: Report
September 26, 2023, 12:30 AM

Louisiana governor requests Federal Emergency Declaration for saltwater intrusion

A saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River poses a threat to Louisiana's water supply. The river has low water levels due to drought conditions allowing an intrusion.
September 26, 2023, 12:30 AM
Louisiana governor requests Federal Emergency Declaration for saltwater intrusion
September 22, 2023, 4:37 PM

World’s largest flower is in danger of extinction, scientists warn

Rafflesia, the flower species which contains some of the world’s largest flowers, is at risk of extinction, scientists have warned in a new study.
September 22, 2023, 4:37 PM
World’s largest flower is in danger of extinction, scientists warn
September 22, 2023, 3:34 PM

Energy Department announces $325M for batteries that can store clean electricity longer

The Energy Department announced Friday a $325 million investment in new battery types that can help turn solar and wind energy into 24-hour power
September 22, 2023, 3:34 PM
Energy Dept. announces $325M for batteries that can store clean electricity longer
September 22, 2023, 8:40 AM

How eco-drag queen Pattie Gonia defines what it means to fight for the environment

ABC News' Ginger Zee caught up with Pattie Gonia as she produces and stars in "Save Her: An Environmental Drag Show" for this year's Climate Week.
September 22, 2023, 8:40 AM
How eco-drag queen Pattie Gonia defines what it means to fight for the environment
September 21, 2023, 7:11 PM

Oceans take center stage at Climate Week in New York City

The sailor who became the first American to win “The Ocean Race” in its 50-year history joins ABC News to discuss the critical issue of the ocean’s health.
September 21, 2023, 7:11 PM
Oceans take center stage at Climate Week in New York City
September 20, 2023, 6:20 PM

Wildfires in recent years have reversed some of the progress made in eliminating air pollution, new study suggests

The smoke from wildfires in recent years has been so intense that it is decreasing air quality in the majority of the U.S., according to new research.
September 20, 2023, 6:20 PM
Wildfire smoke affecting air quality in 75% of states in continental US: Study
September 19, 2023, 12:09 PM

Researchers find new way to store carbon dioxide absorbed by plants at the bottom of the Black Sea

Researchers have found a new way to store thousands of year's worth of carbon dioxide and prevent it from being released into the atmosphere.
September 19, 2023, 12:09 PM
Researchers find a way to naturally store carbon dioxide
September 18, 2023, 3:46 PM

New app will allow New Yorkers to avoid commuting through the poorest air quality

For those who need to commute when air quality is poor, a new technology will make it possible to use the safest route possible for their health.
September 18, 2023, 3:46 PM
Those worried about poor air quality will soon be able to map out the cleanest route
September 17, 2023, 9:34 AM

California lawsuit says oil giants deceived public on climate, seeks funds for storm damage

Suit claims they deceived the public about the risks of fossil fuels.
September 17, 2023, 9:34 AM
September 14, 2023, 7:42 PM

Feds spread $1 billion for tree plantings among US cities to reduce extreme heat and benefit health

Hundreds of communities around the country will share more than $1 billion in federal money to help them plant and maintain trees under a federal program that is intended to reduce extreme heat, benefit health and improve access to nature
September 14, 2023, 7:42 PM
Feds spread $1 billion for tree plantings among US cities to reduce extreme heat
September 14, 2023, 12:28 PM

Offshore wind energy plans advance in New Jersey amid opposition

Two major offshore wind power projects are taking steps forward in New Jersey
September 14, 2023, 12:28 PM
Offshore wind energy plans advance in New Jersey amid opposition
September 9, 2023, 5:10 PM

Group of 20 countries agree to increase clean energy but reach no deal on phasing out fossil fuels

Group of 20 leaders have agreed to triple renewable energy.
September 9, 2023, 5:10 PM
1 month ago

South African conservation NGO to release 2,000 rhinos into the wild

Conservation Group African Parks has announced it is set to release 2,000 southern white rhinos into the wild in will be one of Africa’s largest rewilding programs.
1 month ago
2,000 white rhinos to be released into the wild
1 month ago

Countries must provide a clean and healthy environment for children: UN

A United Nations committee strengthened a treaty on Monday on children's rights in their fight against climate change, according to new guidance from the organization.
1 month ago
Countries must provide a clean and healthy environment for children: UN
1 month ago

Study suggests global warming set to worsen snow shortages on Europe's ski slopes

Over half of Europe’s ski resorts will face a severe lack of snow, study finds.
1 month ago
1 month ago

Researchers discover another way tropical forests could suffer due to climate change

Climate change has caused the leaves on some plants in tropical forests around the world were found to stop undergoing photosynthesis.
1 month ago
Researchers discover another way tropical forests could suffer due to climate change
1 month ago

Ecuadorians reject oil drilling in the Amazon, ending operations in a protected area

Ecuadorians voted against drilling for oil in a protected area of the Amazon, an important decision that will require the state oil company to end its operations in a region that’s home to two isolated tribes and is a hotspot of biodiversity
1 month ago
Ecuadorians reject oil drilling in the Amazon in historic decision
1 month ago

Company that leaked radioactive material will build barrier to keep it away from Mississippi River

The energy company responsible for leaking radioactive material from its nuclear plant in Monticello, Minnesota, in recent months has announced that it will build an underground metal barrier to keep affected groundwater away from the nearby Mississipp...
1 month ago
Company that leaked radioactive material will build barrier to keep it from river
1 month ago

Ocean cleanup group removes record 25,000 pounds of trash from Great Pacific Garbage Patch in one extraction

Ocean cleanup crews have fished out the most trash ever taken from one of the largest garbage patches in the world.
1 month ago
Ocean cleanup system can extract a football field-sized area of trash every 5 seconds
2 months ago

Disappearing glaciers will give way to emerging, 'novel' ecosystems, new research finds

Scientists are beginning to better understand the consequences that melting glaciers will have on humans, species of all kind and the ecosystem in which they live.
2 months ago
Disappearing glaciers will give way to emerging, 'novel' ecosystems, research finds
2 months ago

A $500 million deal to restore Gabon's coast reignites climate finance debate

Gabon is refinancing $500 million of its debt through a deal aimed at directing more funds to ocean management
2 months ago
A $500 million deal to restore Gabon's coast reignites climate finance debate
2 months ago

Glacial break causes major flooding in Alaska, officials issue emergency declaration

A glacier lake outburst flood is wreaking havoc near Juneau, Alaska, where structures have been destroyed as a result of a break on the Mendenhall Glacier.
2 months ago
Glacial break causes major flooding in Alaska, officials issue emergency declaration
2 months ago

Major flooding causing a state of emergency in Alaska

At least two homes crash into floodwaters as a result of a melting glacier.
2 months ago
Major flooding causing a state of emergency in Alaska
2 months ago

The EPA's ambitious plan to cut auto emissions to slow climate change runs into skepticism

Skeptics question how realistic it is and whether it goes far enough.
2 months ago
2 months ago

Oregon extends crab fishing restrictions to protect whales from getting caught in trap ropes

Oregon has extended rules restricting the number of crab traps in the water.
2 months ago
2 months ago

Discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong sparks anger over the possible damage done by sightseers

The discovery of a whale carcass in Hong Kong waters has sparked an outpouring of grief on social media
2 months ago
Discovery of whale carcass sparks anger over potential damage done by sightseers
2 months ago

A pollution tax on older cars can be extended to London's suburbs after a British court ruling

A British court has ruled against five London suburbs that tried to block a pollution tax on older cars
2 months ago
Pollution tax on older cars can be extended to London suburbs after court ruling
2 months ago

Mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity: Several ways AI can be used to help the environment

Artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in the herculean efforts to mitigate climate change and preserve the environment, experts say.
2 months ago
These are the different ways AI will help the environment, scientists say
2 months ago

Life-sustaining coral reefs suffer in warming water

ABC News’ Ginger Zee reports on the record-breaking heat wave across the world on “This Week.”
2 months ago
Life-sustaining coral reefs suffer in warming water
2 months ago

'Strikingly warm' ocean heat wave off Florida coasts could decimate corals, other marine life, experts say

Oceans all over the world are experiencing warmer-than-normal temperatures, but waters off the southern U.S. could be on the brink of an ocean heat wave emergency.
2 months ago
Ocean heat wave could devastate marine life: Experts
2 months ago

Marine heat waves and its effects on the environment

ABC News chief meteorologist Ginger Zee discusses the latest on marine heat waves and what it means for the water temperatures and humans on land.
2 months ago
Marine heat waves and its effects on the environment
2 months ago

Loss of sea ice putting migrating beluga whales in danger

The annual great beluga migration is underway, but the whales are facing increasing dangers as the climate warms and human activity decimates their habitat.
2 months ago
You can now watch the migration of tens of thousands of beluga whales
3 months ago

Northern Lights may be visible if you live in these states

Several states may be in for a treat in the night sky this week – a possible view of the Northern Lights.
3 months ago
Northern Lights may be visible if you live in these states
3 months ago

A Greenpeace activist is fined for crash-landing a parachute in stadium before Germany-France match

A German surgeon has been ordered to pay a fine of $7,900 for parachuting into the stadium before a European Championship match in Munich two years ago as part of a botched climate protest
3 months ago
Greenpeace activist fined for crash-landing parachute in stadium before soccer match
3 months ago

Concern after California landslide swallows nearly a dozen homes

The landslide has already swallowed about a dozen homes since Saturday and threatens additional homes in the upscale Los Angeles neighborhood of Rolling Hills Estates.
3 months ago
Concern after California landslide swallows nearly a dozen homes
3 months ago

Dozens of beaches across Northeast closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria in water

Beaches in states including Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have recently been closed for swimming due to high levels of bacteria in the water.
3 months ago
High levels of bacteria, fecal waste cause dozens of beach closures across Northeast
3 months ago

Ghost forests explained

As people around the world contend with the hottest temperatures ever recorded, more visual evidence of climate change is emerging with the spread of ghost forests.
3 months ago
Ghost forests explained
3 months ago

What to know about ghost forests amid sea level rise

As people around the world contend with the hottest temperatures ever recorded, more visual evidence of climate change is emerging with the spread of ghost forests.
3 months ago
What to know about ghost forests amid sea level rise
3 months ago

10 states plan to sue EPA over standards for residential wood-burning stoves

Attorneys general from 10 states plan to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying its failure to review and ensure emissions standards for residential wood-burning stoves has allowed the continued sale of appliances that unduly worsen pollu...
3 months ago
3 months ago

Feds call off pesticide spraying near New Mexico’s Rio Chama to kill invasive grasshoppers

Federal land managers had planned to spray near the Rio Chama in New Mexico,
3 months ago
3 months ago

A look at Tulare Lake, California’s newest re-formed lake

Tulare Lake, which was drained centuries ago, has re-formed due to snow melt from winter storms and is disrupting local farming.
3 months ago
A look at Tulare Lake, California’s newest re-formed lake
3 months ago

Conservationists and tribes urge US appeals court to block Biden-backed Nevada lithium mine

A judge’s decision allowed construction to begin on a huge Nevada lithium mine.
3 months ago
3 months ago

Oil spill from Shell pipeline fouls farms and a river in a long-polluted part of Nigeria

An oil spill at a Shell facility in Nigeria has contaminated farmland and a river
3 months ago
Oil spill from Shell pipeline fouls farms, river in a long-polluted part of Nigeria
3 months ago

UN members adopt first-ever treaty to protect marine life in the high seas

The U.N.'s chief says the agreement gives the ocean "a fighting chance."
3 months ago
3 months ago

Buttigieg says US 'green corridors' initiative is key to cutting shipping industry emissions

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says an American push to establish “green shipping corridors” is key to reducing carbon emissions from the shipping industry
3 months ago
Buttigieg says US 'green corridors' initiative key to cutting shipping emissions
4 months ago

Highest ocean temperatures ever recorded for the month of May, NOAA says

Ocean temperatures reached record-breaking highs for the month of May, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced.
4 months ago
NOAA announces record-breaking ocean temperatures
4 months ago

Young climate activists take Montana to court for its role in global warming

The trial is over state government obligations to protect people against climate
4 months ago
4 months ago

Report says 2.3 billion people globally use polluting fuel to cook; 675 million have no electricity

A report by five international organizations says up to 2.3 billion people around the world are still using polluting fuels to cook, and 675 million don’t have electricity
4 months ago
Report says 2.3 billion people globally use polluting fuel to cook
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