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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

After months of delays, state approves doubling of solar energy

Permits and initial review complete, hundreds of solar project were ready to go but for one thing: a green light from the state’s utility regulator that would free up funds to subsidize them.
LETTERS

Into the Red and on to something vital: the climate cause

We are at a juncture when the energy systems that undergird the global economy are being remade to meet the aspirations of a post-fossil-fuel era.

As waters warm and the lobster population booms off Canada, tensions rise between Indigenous and commercial fishermen

The increasing lobster catch in St. Mary’s Bay has raised the stakes for local fishermen, including the Mi’kmaw. As a result, long-simmering tensions between the Mi’kmaw and commercial fishermen, who have lobbied the government to shut down what they consider an illegal fishery, have boiled.

Federal regulators allow Weymouth compressor station to continue operating

The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said regulators “likely erred” in allowing the station to be built so close to a residential area, and though they could not shut it down, he hoped this would be a “turning point” so that “history does not repeat itself.”

Featured projects

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.
The Lobster Trap: Part 2

Protests and prayers

Federal regulations designed to protect critically endangered whale populations are forcing Maine's proud lobster fishermen to adapt, but many are refusing change.
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.

An interactive look into climate change

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.

Data from the recent heat wave reveal troubling trends. These four charts show the damage inflicted

The stunning numbers highlight an alarming phenomenon at work as climate change makes periods of extreme heat more common and prolonged: The warming climate is leading us into a dangerous vicious cycle.

Accountability

Biden plan to overhaul federal oil and gas leasing program stops short of leasing ban sought by climate activists

The long-awaited report by the Interior Department stops short of recommending an end to oil and gas leasing on public lands, as many environmental groups have urged.

Southwest Airlines commits $10 million to Yale University to support climate change initiatives

Southwest Airlines announced a $10 million commitment to Yale University’s Center for Natural Carbon Capture to research technological advancements and find new solutions to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions.
COP26 Climate Summit

Climate talks draft agreement expresses ‘alarm and concern’

Negotiators at the United Nations climate talks are considering a draft decision that highlights “alarm and concern” about climate change.

Kerry says other nations must do far more to address climate change

With carbon emissions rising at a rate that has been called “catastrophic,” Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said Thursday that he worries other countries won’t commit to sufficient steps to reduce their greenhouse gases at upcoming international climate negotiations in Scotland.

Climate Science

As waters warm and the lobster population booms off Canada, tensions rise between Indigenous and commercial fishermen
The increasing lobster catch in St. Mary’s Bay has raised the stakes for local fishermen, including the Mi’kmaw. As a result, long-simmering tensions between the Mi’kmaw and commercial fishermen, who have lobbied the government to shut down what they consider an illegal fishery, have boiled.

Australia hits 123 degrees, tying hottest temperature on record in Southern Hemisphere

2021 ended as fifth-hottest year with push from spiking methane

The Globe's climate team wants to hear from you

Share your thoughts and questions about the impact of climate change in your community.
Zoom | Virtual Event

GlobeDocs Presents: ‘Earth Emergency’

Stream 'Earth Emergency' and join us Monday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m. with filmmakers Bonnie Waltch and Susan Gray and Globe climate reporter Sabrina Shankman.

Politics and Policy

Federal regulators allow Weymouth compressor station to continue operating

The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said regulators “likely erred” in allowing the station to be built so close to a residential area, and though they could not shut it down, he hoped this would be a “turning point” so that “history does not repeat itself.”
ENVIRONMENT

McKee outlines raft of federal funding for green energy, infrastructure projects

The plans include $35 million to build a marine terminal in East Providence for wind projects, $60 million to improve the Port of Davisville for cars and wind turbines, $37 million to help people buy energy efficient heat pumps, and $6 million a year to fulfill mandates in the Act on Climate law.

Boston is getting more propane school buses to combat pollution. They aren’t the cleanest option.

The majority of Boston’s school bus fleet already runs on propane, but advocates bemoaned the city adding more vehicles powered by fossil fuels, a decision made before Mayor Wu took office.

Biden’s energy policy takes shape with wind and power line projects

The Biden administration on Wednesday outlined an array of initiatives to advance clean energy, including plans to hold the largest-ever sale of offshore wind farm rights in U.S. history and accelerate the construction of new power lines to transmit renewable electricity across the nation.

How-Tos

Biden bill includes boost for union-made electric vehicles

Heat pumps could be key to fighting climate change, but how? We answer your burning questions

Ditching oil and gas heat is a key way to fight climate change. Here’s how to secure a heat pump for your home

More Climate stories

Zoom | Virtual Event

GlobeDocs Presents: ‘Earth Emergency’

Stream 'Earth Emergency' and join us Monday, Jan. 24, at 5 p.m. with filmmakers Bonnie Waltch and Susan Gray and Globe climate reporter Sabrina Shankman.

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.

ENVIRONMENT
The silhouette of a GE-Alstom wind turbine is seen standing in the water off Block Island, R.I., on Sept. 14, 2016.

McKee outlines raft of federal funding for green energy, infrastructure projects

The plans include $35 million to build a marine terminal in East Providence for wind projects, $60 million to improve the Port of Davisville for cars and wind turbines, $37 million to help people buy energy efficient heat pumps, and $6 million a year to fulfill mandates in the Act on Climate law.

Solar panel array on the roof of Beverly High School.

All around Massachusetts, cities and towns want to go fossil fuel free. Here’s why they can’t.

Across Massachusetts, dozens of cities and towns have said they want to outlaw the use of fossil fuels in newly constructed buildings. The state’s new climate legislation aimed to do just that, but the Baker administration failed to deliver a promised draft by fall 2021.

The compressor station has been a source of controversy in Weymouth.

Federal regulators to consider whether to shut down Weymouth gas compressor

Democrats now have a majority of the five seats on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which gives hope to the station’s opponents.

A man cooled down in front of a mist fan for relief from the hot weather on day 12 of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia.

Australia hits 123 degrees, tying hottest temperature on record in Southern Hemisphere

The Southern Hemisphere may have just matched its hottest temperature on record on Thursday. A station in Onslow, a small coastal town in Western Australia, registered a sweltering 123.3 degrees (50.7 degrees Celsius) amid a severe heat wave.

A safety supervisor stood near a propane-fueled school bus in Boston in this 2015 file photo.

Boston is getting more propane school buses to combat pollution. They aren’t the cleanest option.

The majority of Boston’s school bus fleet already runs on propane, but advocates bemoaned the city adding more vehicles powered by fossil fuels, a decision made before Mayor Wu took office.

INNOVATION BEAT
Bijan Sabet, cofounder and general partner of Spark Capital.

The ‘big shift’ of VCs into climate tech

Bijan Sabet of Spark Capital is among a wave of big-name venture capitalists moving into climate investments.

Opinion

LETTERS

Into the Red and on to something vital: the climate cause

We are at a juncture when the energy systems that undergird the global economy are being remade to meet the aspirations of a post-fossil-fuel era.
Michael E. Mann

Global destruction isn’t funny, but when it comes to the climate crisis, it might have to be

Cynthia Stone Creem and Lori A. Ehrlich

A better future for heating your home

Maria J. Santos

Thinking locally to solve the climate change and biodiversity crises

Susan Joy Hassol and Michael E. Mann

Let’s emerge from Glasgow still in the fight