NPR Topics: Environment https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1025 Breaking news on the environment, climate change, pollution, and endangered species. Also featuring Climate Connections, a special series on climate change co-produced by NPR and National Geographic. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:29:15 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Environment https://www.npr.org/sections/environment/ This summer was hot. August shattered global heat records Scientists say that August was the hottest month ever recorded globally. In the U.S., summer temperatures also shattered heat records. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:30:52 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/10/nx-s1-5963899/august-heat-summer-hottest https://www.npr.org/2026/09/10/nx-s1-5963899/august-heat-summer-hottest

Scientists say that August was the hottest month ever recorded globally. In the U.S., summer temperatures also shattered heat records.

(Image credit: Alex Wong)

]]> Ava Berger Scientists say August was Earth's hottest month they've measured The European climate service Copernicus said the Earth just sweltered through its hottest month on record in August. Scientists said the heat surge is mostly due to human-caused climate change. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:54:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/10/nx-s1-5964676/scientists-august-hottest https://www.npr.org/2026/09/10/nx-s1-5964676/scientists-august-hottest

The European climate service Copernicus said the Earth just sweltered through its hottest month on record in August. Scientists said the heat surge is mostly due to human-caused climate change.

(Image credit: Ahn Young-joon)

]]> The Associated Press 'Her body temperature was 106': How heat is killing Americans in their homes Heat kills thousands of people across the U.S. every year. The risk is especially high for the millions of Americans who live in manufactured housing like mobile homes and trailers. Mon, 07 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5644782/heat-deaths-manufactured-mobile-homes https://www.npr.org/2026/09/07/nx-s1-5644782/heat-deaths-manufactured-mobile-homes

Heat kills thousands of people across the U.S. every year. The risk is especially high for the millions of Americans who live in manufactured housing like mobile homes and trailers.

(Image credit: Ryan Kellman)

]]> Alejandra Borunda An island in Western Canada was spotted for the first time. Then it disappeared A floating island is playing peekaboo on Williston Lake in British Columbia. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe chats with BC Hydro's Bob Gammer about this natural mystery. Sun, 06 Sep 2026 08:20:25 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/06/nx-s1-5954219/an-island-in-western-canada-was-spotted-for-the-first-time-then-it-disappeared https://www.npr.org/2026/09/06/nx-s1-5954219/an-island-in-western-canada-was-spotted-for-the-first-time-then-it-disappeared A floating island is playing peekaboo on Williston Lake in British Columbia. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe chats with BC Hydro's Bob Gammer about this natural mystery.

]]> Ayesha Rascoe NPR's wildfire correspondent on one of the Western U.S.'s worst wildfire seasons The Western U.S.'s wildfire season has been one of the worst in years. More than 8 million acres have burned, at least seven wildland firefighters have died, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed. Sun, 06 Sep 2026 08:02:46 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/06/nx-s1-5947188/nprs-wildfire-correspondent-on-one-of-the-western-u-s-s-worst-wildfire-seasons https://www.npr.org/2026/09/06/nx-s1-5947188/nprs-wildfire-correspondent-on-one-of-the-western-u-s-s-worst-wildfire-seasons The Western U.S.'s wildfire season has been one of the worst in years. More than 8 million acres have burned, at least seven wildland firefighters have died, and hundreds of homes have been destroyed.

]]> Kirk Siegler He died of 'natural causes.' But his mother says she knows what killed him: heat When Arizona counts heat-related deaths, Adam Willson isn't included. His story shows how thousands of heat deaths can go uncounted every year in the United States. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/09/02/nx-s1-5887544/heat-deaths-undercount https://www.npr.org/2026/09/02/nx-s1-5887544/heat-deaths-undercount

When Arizona counts heat-related deaths, Adam Willson isn't included. His story shows how thousands of heat deaths can go uncounted every year in the United States.

(Image credit: Ryan Kellman)

]]> Alejandra Borunda NPR spent 2 years tracking deaths from heat. We found a staggering hidden toll An NPR investigation found that people in the U.S. are dying from heat much more often than official counts show. We explore the reasons why — and how lives can be saved. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/31/nx-s1-5724225/heat-wave-death-toll-tracker https://www.npr.org/2026/08/31/nx-s1-5724225/heat-wave-death-toll-tracker

An NPR investigation found that people in the U.S. are dying from heat much more often than official counts show. We explore the reasons why — and how lives can be saved.

]]> Alejandra Borunda A melting glacier contributed to the deadly Nepal floods. We can expect more like this As the climate continues to warm, scientists warn that the frequency of disasters like the floods in Nepal will increase. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/28/nx-s1-5945799/nepal-floods-climate-change-himalayas https://www.npr.org/2026/08/28/nx-s1-5945799/nepal-floods-climate-change-himalayas

As the climate continues to warm, scientists warn that the frequency of disasters like the floods in Nepal will increase.

(Image credit: Niranjan Shrestha)

]]> Ava Berger Forest service to allow chainsaws to clear trails of downed trees despite ban This summer, fallen trees are blocking hundreds of miles of wilderness trails, following unusual weather events. Some forests will allow chainsaws as a controversial exception to a ban on motors. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:42:45 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/28/nx-s1-5944490/forest-service-to-allow-chainsaws-to-clear-trails-of-downed-trees-despite-ban https://www.npr.org/2026/08/28/nx-s1-5944490/forest-service-to-allow-chainsaws-to-clear-trails-of-downed-trees-despite-ban This summer, fallen trees are blocking hundreds of miles of wilderness trails, following unusual weather events. Some forests will allow chainsaws as a controversial exception to a ban on motors.

]]> Rachel Cohen The real cause of most wildfires? People More than three quarters of all wildfires in the U.S. are caused by human behavior including accidents, negligence and arson. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 07:30:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/08/27/nx-s1-5944328/the-real-cause-of-most-wildfires-people https://www.npr.org/2026/08/27/nx-s1-5944328/the-real-cause-of-most-wildfires-people

More than three quarters of all wildfires in the U.S. are caused by human behavior including accidents, negligence and arson.

(Image credit: Margaret Albaugh for NPR)

]]> Kirk Siegler