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INTO THE RED

Climate and the fight of our lives

The climate crisis is now an emergency. We believe solutions must begin here, in our communities, state, and region. Globe journalism will shine light on obstacles to decisive action, illuminate paths toward solutions, and hold to account elected leaders responsible for guiding us to a better future.

Latest climate stories

Lithium is becoming more crucial in a warming world, but Maine’s huge deposits may never be mined because of environmental concerns

By some estimates, the lithium deposits near Newry may be the largest in the country — with the potential to become a critical domestic supply for automakers and so valuable that they could provide a needed boost to Maine’s economy. But there's more to the story.

A medieval English village is being swallowed by the sea

On England’s east coast, locals have been fighting a losing battle against the sea for generations; fatal floods date back to the 13th century.

California to require half of all heavy trucks sold by 2035 to be electric

The Biden administration Friday granted California the legal authority to require that half of all garbage trucks, tractor-trailers, cement mixers and other heavy vehicles sold in the state must be all-electric by 2035.

New federal rules will make many electric cars ineligible for tax credits

The Biden administration on Friday released new rules that will significantly shorten the list of electric vehicles that qualify for federal tax credits. Officials hope the change will push carmakers to move their supply chains out of China and to the United States or its allies.

House GOP passes energy package with eye on gas prices, 2024

House Republicans passed legislation Thursday that would increase oil drilling and mining on public lands and waters, defying President Biden's climate agenda and fulfilling a campaign promise to focus on lowering gasoline prices ahead of the 2024 election.

Featured projects

As Earth’s temperature rises, Massachusetts residents’ sense of urgency on climate change declines

Despite increasingly urgent international warnings, fewer Massachusetts residents see the climate crisis as a very serious concern than they did in 2019, a new poll from MassINC and the Boston Globe shows.
The Lobster Trap: Part 1

The lobster trap

The plentiful catch that brought wealth to fishing families is at risk, as climate change warms the Gulf of Maine. A way of life is on the line, but lobstermen can't, or won't, imagine another.
Climate change on Cape Cod

At the edge of a warming world

The flexed arm of Cape Cod has challenged the power of the sea for centuries, but the contest has escalated. Climate change is altering our vacation paradise in myriad ways, perhaps forever. The message in the sand is clear — if only we will look.

Accountability

INNOVATOR Q&A

A R.I. startup diverts 1 ton of waste each month from landfills. They’re trying to get businesses to do the same.

Tess Feigenbaum co-founded Epic Renewal, which looks to provide low-cost composting services for homes, businesses, and events.

Video: Red Sox use helicopter to install new light fixtures at Fenway Park

The old Fenway lights were installed in 1982. They were removed after the NHL Winter Classic and Frozen Fenway in January. On Sunday, a helicopter carried the new fixtures to awaiting crews.

Scientific journal investigating UMass hydrogen study after revelations of gas industry influence

The study, by scientists at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, endorsed the use of so-called green hydrogen for heating buildings in Massachusetts and recommended the state consider adopting hydrogen as a clean fuel.

Study touting hydrogen — a technology favored by gas firms — was funded by gas interests, e-mails show

A study by researchers at UMass Lowell on hydrogen’s potential seemed innocuous enough. But hundreds of pages of e-mail correspondence now raise questions about the influence the gas industry may have had on the report.

Climate Science

Climate change could bring flesh-eating bacteria to Boston within decades
As climate change threatens people and creatures around the globe, one flesh-eating bacteria is thriving in a warming world, according to a new report.

This winter, haunting signs of climate change were everywhere

Allergies hitting early? Climate change may be to blame, report says.

Politics and Policy

Lithium is becoming more crucial in a warming world, but Maine’s huge deposits may never be mined because of environmental concerns

By some estimates, the lithium deposits near Newry may be the largest in the country — with the potential to become a critical domestic supply for automakers and so valuable that they could provide a needed boost to Maine’s economy. But there's more to the story.

With climate planning, Boston has a chance to redress racial inequity, report says

Mountains of research show that in Boston and other US cities, poor and working class people of color are disproportionately harmed by climate change and pollution. That inequality is by design, but a new report says it can begin to be undone.

Is it still cheaper to fill up an EV versus a gas car? Yes, but it’s complicated.

A year ago, electric vehicle drivers were saving a ton of money by avoiding the gas pump. Lately, the calculus has changed.

Inside the crazy, mixed-up world of electric-vehicle charger pricing

Charging outside of the home can be a headache for EV drivers, with inconsistent and sometimes high pricing policies, frequently broken equipment, and a lack of chargers in key locations for everything but Teslas.

An interactive look into climate change

How Massachusetts feels about climate change in 12 graphics

The percentage of Massachusetts residents who believe climate change is as a very serious concern has decreased since 2019. That’s just one finding from a new poll conducted by MassINC Polling Group for the Boston Globe.

Maps: These parts of Boston, Revere, and Quincy are vulnerable to rising sea levels

One measure of a warming planet and human-caused climate change is rising sea levels, which Massachusetts’ coastal towns are increasingly grappling with.

Boston’s ‘heat islands’ turn lower-income neighborhoods from hot to insufferable

In a recent city report, officials noted that temperatures in leafier neighborhoods are often significantly lower than in more densely populated areas.

Into the Red: How the Globe will cover climate change

To report on the most pressing issue of our time, the Globe’s climate team is expanding and rethinking its coverage.

The Globe's climate team wants to hear from you

Share your thoughts and questions about the impact of climate change in your community.

How-Tos

Difficulty measuring methane slows plan to slash emissions

Northeastern researchers have a plan to protect Boston from rising sea levels: floating vegetation mats they call the ‘Emerald Tutu’

ENVIRONMENT

DEM: ‘Substantial’ solid waste from Woonsocket sewage plant released into Blackstone River daily

More Climate stories

Climate change could bring flesh-eating bacteria to Boston within decades

As climate change threatens people and creatures around the globe, one flesh-eating bacteria is thriving in a warming world, according to a new report.

With climate planning, Boston has a chance to redress racial inequity, report says

Mountains of research show that in Boston and other US cities, poor and working class people of color are disproportionately harmed by climate change and pollution. That inequality is by design, but a new report says it can begin to be undone.

Is it still cheaper to fill up an EV versus a gas car? Yes, but it’s complicated.

A year ago, electric vehicle drivers were saving a ton of money by avoiding the gas pump. Lately, the calculus has changed.

CHESTO MEANS BUSINESS

Healey administration gets serious about interstate approach to tackling energy issues

Governor Healey's new environmental chief wants Massachusetts to partner more with its neighbors on developing clean energy projects.

Inside the crazy, mixed-up world of electric-vehicle charger pricing

Charging outside of the home can be a headache for EV drivers, with inconsistent and sometimes high pricing policies, frequently broken equipment, and a lack of chargers in key locations for everything but Teslas.

How Massachusetts’ new DEP commissioner will bring ‘transparency and equity’ to the agency

Heiple's role will require her to juggle many issues. But equipped with her experience in energy and environmental law — and a proposed budget increase of 10 percent for the agency — she’s confident that she and her staff can manage it all.

The Gardner sidestepped a ‘guerrilla climate protest’ over the weekend, but area museums are on alert

“I don’t think there’s anything you can do to completely avoid those kinds of happenings from a security standpoint,” said Kurt Steinberg, chief operating officer at Salem’s Peabody Essex Museum.

Following a dismal global climate report, could Massachusetts push up its net-zero goal?

An alarming new report on climate change raises a difficult question for Massachusetts, already ahead of most states on climate policy. Is it even possible to move faster?

Opinion

IDEAS | JENNIFER NASH

A flock of birds gripped my hand — and pulled me back into the fight against climate change

After devoting my career to the environment, I began to hide from bad news about it. I had to learn to feel all over again.
Leila Philip

Let beavers get busy fighting fires — and climate change

Carroll Muffett

The world can’t recycle its way out of the plastics crisis

Michael E. Mann and Wanjira Mathai

UN IPCC report can lead governments to the climate action door, but they must walk through

Bill McKibben

Heat pumps could help ease the climate crisis — and the war in Ukraine