Climate research under attack, Detroit wins, orangutans at risk
From the Trump administration's systematic dismantling of climate research to communities fighting for clean air and water, reporting reveals both the scope of environmental challenges ahead and the resilience of those defending our planet.
Top Stories
Climate Research Under Siege: The Trump administration is targeting Colorado's National Center for Atmospheric Research for closure, one of the world's leading climate research institutions. Scientists are vowing to fight the proposal, which comes as part of a broader assault on federal climate science. Meanwhile, the National Renewable Energy Lab is losing "renewable" from its name, signaling a clear ideological shift in federal energy policy. Inside Climate News and Grist
Detroit's Environmental Justice Wins: Michigan regulators renewed a controversial hazardous waste facility's license with new restrictions, a partial victory for Detroit's east side community that has fought for years against the facility. Community organizers celebrated that their efforts "made a difference," though the facility remains operational. Planet Detroit
Wildlife in Crisis: Sumatra's devastating floods may have wiped out key populations of the world's rarest orangutan, the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan. With only about 800 individuals remaining, every loss is catastrophic for the species' survival. In India, photo tourism is threatening rare galaxy frogs as photographers seeking images of the star-patterned amphibians destroy their habitat. Mongabay
Around the Regions
Canada's Resource Battles: In Alberta's Kananaskis Country, organizers have set up a civil disobedience camp to block logging in a protected area, demanding clean water protection. Meanwhile, senior Alberta officials stalled the release of coal mine pollution research, preventing scientists from speaking about their findings to media and communities. The Narwhal
Michigan's Data Center Dilemma: State lawmakers are pushing to repeal tax breaks for data centers as communities fear skyrocketing electric bills from massive facilities. The controversy continues growing as more hyperscale projects are proposed across the state. Bridge Michigan
Deep Dives
The Hidden Costs of Fast Fashion: Grist examines what your cheap clothes cost the planet, revealing how discarded garments are creating textile mountains in Chile's Atacama desert. The investigation shows the global environmental impact of our throwaway fashion culture.
Brazil's Toxic Seafood Secret: Mongabay's investigation reveals how millions of Brazilians unknowingly eat endangered shark meat, often contaminated with mercury and mislabeled as other fish. The podcast breaks down this major investigative story.
What to Watch
• FEMA's Future: The White House abruptly canceled a meeting on proposed FEMA cuts after a leaked report revealed plans to gut the emergency response agency • Coal Plant Orders: Trump's Energy Secretary ordered a Washington coal plant to stay open despite state opposition • Conservation Accountability: Questions mount about abandoned conservation projects being counted as progress ahead of major climate meetings
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