NPR News - Environment


A Look At The Future Of Biden's Climate Change Policies
President Biden has made climate change a focus of his first week in office. But it could take years before many of the executive actions he's highlighted to tackle the issue have a noticeable impact.
Biden Climate Adviser On Ending Drilling On Federal Land
NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Gina McCarthy, climate adviser to the White House, about several executive actions to end oil and gas drilling on federal land that President Biden is signing.
Energy Nominee Jennifer Granholm Stresses Climate Action And Jobs
Former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm says "good-paying jobs" can help zero out U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But some Republicans are skeptical they can help fossil fuel workers.
(Image credit: Carolyn Kaster/AP)
Biden Hits 'Pause' On Oil And Gas Leasing On Public Lands And Waters
The move is one of his more controversial campaign promises, and industry groups say they will sue. But it won't have much immediate impact on driving down climate-warming emissions.
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Biden Administration Turns Its Attention To Climate Crisis
President Biden is expected to sign on Wednesday an order pausing oil and gas drilling on federal land. It's one of several climate-focused executive actions he will make official.
What's Next For The U.S. After Rejoining The Paris Climate Agreement
The U.S. is rejoining the world's largest effort to address climate change: the 2015 Paris climate agreement. Climate change is one of the Biden administration's top priorities.
Canadian Officials React To Biden Revoking Keystone XL Permit
Canadian officials say they're disappointed that President Biden revoked the Keystone XL Pipeline permit — but they're also looking forward to working with the new administration on climate change.
How Biden Administration Plans To Navigate Challenging Topic Of Climate Change
Addressing climate change is one of the Biden administration's top priorities. NPR looks at President Biden's pledge to stop new oil and gas leasing on public lands and the challenges he might face.
U.N. Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons Takes Effect, Without The U.S. And Other Powers
"For the first time in history, nuclear weapons are going to be illegal in international law," says Elayne Whyte, who oversaw the treaty's creation.
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Americans Are Moving To Escape Climate Impacts. Towns Expect More To Come
Nashua, N.H., expects to be a destination for people migrating away from the coasts and toward lower temperatures. Officials say a pandemic influx has shown the need to plan for that growth.
(Image credit: Annie Ropeik/NHPR)
Biden's Cancellation Of Permit For Keystone XL Pipeline Faces Mixed Reactions
President Biden's plan to cancel the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline is welcome news to Native American governments and activists in Montana — but disappointing to many elected officials.
Pandemic Drastically Cut Emissions From Cars. The Lone Exception? SUVs
In rich countries, every sector of the economy reduced its contribution to climate change last year — with one big gas-guzzling exception.
(Image credit: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Toxic Pesticide Faces New Scrutiny From Biden Administration
President Biden's wave of executive actions includes an order to reexamine one controversial, but widely used, pesticide called chlorpyrifos. The Trump administration kept it on the market.
(Image credit: Jim West/Science Source)
Biden Moves To Have U.S. Rejoin Climate Accord
President Biden signed an executive order to have the country reenter the Paris Climate Agreement, less than four months after formally withdrawing.
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Biden To Move Quickly On Climate Change, Reversing Trump Rollbacks
President Biden has set his sights on more than 100 Trump administration environmental rollbacks as well as plans to rejoin the international climate accord.
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Massachusetts Voters Share Their Hopes For New Administration
Some Massachusetts voters hope that the Biden administration will do better on protecting the environment and managing the pandemic. But some say they fear President Biden may be too moderate.
Biden Order Blocks Keystone XL Pipeline
This likely means the end of the $8 billion pipeline, a years-long project that would have carried oil sands crude from Alberta, Canada, to the American Gulf Coast.
(Image credit: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
Biden's Plan To Undo Trump's Last-Minute Deregulatory Spree & Enact A Climate Agenda
Trump called climate change a hoax. Biden calls it an existential threat. Washington Post journalist Juliet Eilperin talks about how Biden might reverse some of his predecessor's policies.
Climate Change Concerns Prompt Americans To Consider Relocating
As climate impacts worsen, some people are moving to other parts of the country that they hope won't suffer as much. Town planners in New Hampshire are already preparing for a possible influx.
Union Pushing Keystone XL Faces Racial Discrimination Suit
Pipeliners Local 798, which represents thousands of workers on projects across the country, has a history of racism and faces new allegations it discriminated against Black members.
(Image credit: Nate Hegyi/Yellowstone Public Radio)