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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

‘It can impact anybody’: Experts warn of health threat from Canadian wildfire smoke

Even the milder levels of air pollution in Massachusetts and southern New England are unhealthy and pose a serious threat, health experts say.

Air quality alerts remain in effect until Friday for Mass. and R.I.

Air quality continues to be a health concern in Massachusetts and Rhode Island Thursday as the Northeast is impacted by wildfire smoke from Canada, officials said.

The wildfires in Canada are abnormally early and widespread this year. What’s at play?

Instability in the jet stream could potentially be responsible for seemingly unrelated weather in disparate parts of the continent.

Watch: Wildfires in Canada cast blanket of smoke over multiple US cities

Cameras in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and New York show hazy conditions as a result of wildfires in Canada. Watch them live here.

Here’s what experts say about the hazy skies and air quality

The air quality in the the Northeast US has been at unhealthy levels because of smoke from Canadian wildfires this week, according to Massachusetts officials.

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

RI COURTS

R.I. sues manufacturers for PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ contamination

“The burden of this enormous cost should be borne by the companies who made, marketed, and sold these products at great profit, while hiding their true dangers,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.
GLOBE NH | MORNING REPORT

Portsmouth, N.H., is putting together its own climate action plan

The climate plan is meant to be the foundation for all climate projects and goals for the next 50 years, according to the city.
ADDRESS

Area colleges are knee-deep in composting — and they like it

Schools educate students on the importance of a green lifestyle, set up bins in dining and residence halls.
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.

Climate Science

COMMENTARY | Matt Stein and John Gage
How to move beyond climate disinformation in the N.H. State House
Two climate action proponents call for ending counterproductive debates over long-settled science.

To mitigate climate change, Brown launches initiative to develop new sustainable energy solutions

‘Like being in the presence of a dinosaur’: Right whales’ extended stay in Cape Cod Bay could be tied to climate change, scientists say

Politics and Policy

Ugly fight over climate bill exposes cracks in German coalition

In recent days, Germany's coalition government has engaged in an unusual level of public sniping over a wonkish bill with the seemingly humble aim of reducing fossil fuel emissions from heaters in homes and other buildings.
RI COURTS

R.I. sues manufacturers for PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ contamination

“The burden of this enormous cost should be borne by the companies who made, marketed, and sold these products at great profit, while hiding their true dangers,” said Attorney General Peter F. Neronha.

Cities need better public transit, less driving, new international report says. That makes Mass. a laggard, not a leader.

Urban areas will have to look more like Leipzig, Germany, where cars are a rare sight in the city center, and electric trams whisk people from here to there.

US greenlights major transmission line for renewable energy in Western states

The project comes about a year after an environmental review was completed as part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to meet climate goals and shore up the nation’s power grid.

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

No Mow May: What to know about the campaign to help your garden become a pollinator’s paradise

ADDRESS

Area colleges are knee-deep in composting — and they like it

Difficulty measuring methane slows plan to slash emissions

More Climate stories

Greenwashing at Greentown Labs? The Somerville climate-tech hub’s new partner is raising alarms.

When the company recently announced a new partnership with the largest oil company in the world — one that would provide it a close relationship with the startups being fostered at Greentown Labs — it sent shock waves through parts of the climate community.

Three ‘forever chemicals’ makers settle public water lawsuits

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva said they had reached an agreement in principle to set up a $1.19 billion fund to help remove toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances from public drinking water systems.

‘This is Boston’s big challenge’: A new plan to defend downtown against sea-level rise

A long-awaited resiliency plan for Boston’s Wharf District outlines $1.2 billion worth of upgrades to protect the waterfront from flooding.

State program to fund new schools allows for fossil fuels, despite climate goals

The Massachusetts School Building Authority said some communities cannot afford to go all-electric.

Debt ceiling deal advances pipeline and tweaks environmental rules. But more work remains.

The final legislation does not clear the way to build large-scale electricity transmission lines, instead ordering a two-year study of the issue.

Earth is ‘really quite sick now’ and in a danger zone in nearly all ecological ways, study says

It’s not a terminal diagnosis. The planet can recover if it changes, including its use of coal, oil and natural gas and the way it treats the land and water, the scientists said.

Ugly fight over climate bill exposes cracks in German coalition

In recent days, Germany's coalition government has engaged in an unusual level of public sniping over a wonkish bill with the seemingly humble aim of reducing fossil fuel emissions from heaters in homes and other buildings.

What’s that smell? It could be the smoke from wildfires in Nova Scotia.

You may be able to smell smoke from Canadian wildfires when you go outside Tuesday.

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