How the pandemic changed the fight against climate change

Thursday marked the second Earth Day to be celebrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. A year in lockdown has had an impact on our climate and environment, both good and bad, but how?

Disney World to power up to 40% of theme park energy needs with new solar facilities

Plans also include solar canopies at Disneyland Paris that will provide shelter for 9,500 guest vehicles, a facility that will power ~70% of Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in The Bahamas.

Manhattan distillery releases limited basil-infused vodka for Earth Day

A distillery in Manhattan partnered with a Brooklyn farm and a food equity group to make a limited edition basil-infused vodka in time for Earth Day. 

At Earth Day summit, China, Russia join US vowing emission cuts

The leaders of Russia and China have put aside their raw-worded disputes with U.S. President Joe Biden long enough to pledge international cooperation on cutting climate-wrecking coal and petroleum emissions.

New Jersey to bake climate change risk into policies, share costs

New Jersey will incorporate the impacts of climate change and rising seas into all its major policy decisions in the near future, and will seek to share the costs of protecting the state among all levels of government and the private sector.

Dalai Lama, 100 other Nobel Prize winners call on world leaders to phase out fossil fuels

The Dalai Lama and 100 other Nobel Prize laureates urged world leaders in an open letter to end the expansion of coal, oil and gas production in an effort to tackle the climate crisis.

Manhattan coastal protection plan under cloud of controversy

Under the East Side Coastal Resiliency Plan, 4.2 miles of coastline from East 25th Street to Montgomery Street will be buried under 8 to 10 feet of landfill to elevate East River Park.

US, China agree to combat climate change with 'urgency'

The United States and China, the world’s two biggest carbon polluters, have agreed to cooperate with other countries to curb climate change.

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland establishes climate change task force, revokes several Trump-era orders

U.S. Dept. of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland established a task force this week to prioritize action on climate change. Her order also revoked several Trump-era orders that she said did not align with the department’s mission.

Lyrid meteor shower to light up night sky in April — here’s how to watch

Calling all stargazers: The first major meteor shower of the year — the Lyrids — will occur in mid-April and is expected to light up the evening sky with a dazzling display.

Google Earth’s new ‘Timelapse’ feature shows 4 decades of climate change

From the changing forests in Oregon to the evolving glaciers in Greenland, a new feature on Google Earth illustrates nearly four decades of climate change from endless vantage points.

‘Average’ Atlantic hurricane season will bring more storms, 2021 no exception

After 2020’s record-breaking hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, it would be nice to catch a weather break in 2021 — but hurricane activity is showing no signs of slowing down.

‘Uncharted territory’: Atmospheric CO2 hits highest concentration ever recorded

The changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic caused emissions to drop by about 7% in 2020 compared to 2019, but the drop was too small and too short in duration to show up as a significant deviation to the upward trend of CO2.

Volcanic eruptions in Italy, Iceland and Guatemala spew lava, draw crowds

Since February and March, three volcanoes in three separate countries have released lava, including the Fagradalsfjall volcano in Iceland, Mount Etna in Italy and Pacaya in Guatemala.

Japan's cherry blossoms bloom early, climate change likely cause, scientists say

Japan’s famous cherry blossoms have reached their flowery peak in many places earlier this year than at any time since formal records started being kept nearly 70 years ago, with experts saying climate change is the likely cause.

VW to change brand name to 'Voltswagen'

Volkswagen plans to change its brand name in the United States to "Voltswagen" as its shifts its production increasingly toward electric vehicles and tries to distance itself from an emissions cheating scandal.