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TCN Journal

Reporting, analysis, summary, synthesis

Katharine Hayhoe named chief scientist at the Nature Conservancy

The Texas Tech faculty member, a prominent climate-change researcher and communicator, will also be responsible for the international nonprofit’s “wider portfolio of global climate advocacy and adaptation work.”

What to make of old-fashioned Texas cold, snow in a 21st-century climate?

A winter storm warning covered all of Texas on Valentine's Day. Science deniers have cited such episodes to cast doubt on global warming. But extremely cold temperatures still occur in a generally warming world.

Houston-Galveston’s record overnight temps typified global warming in 2020

2020 basically tied with 2016 as Earth's hottest year on record. Troubling implications for people's health were evident in Texas and many other places. More research underscored health concerns about the climate crisis.

From our archives: The impact of historic December images of Earth

The period around the Winter Solstice has been an occasion for reflection and celebration for millennia. In recent times, it was also when astronauts took photos of Earth that helped animate planetary consciousness.

Clean energy advocates wrestle with disappointing Texas election results

Climate-action appeals figured in several key races but failed to give Democrats the edge they needed to prevail over their Republican rivals. Analysis continues over what exactly went wrong.

Biden pledges sweeping climate action but may face Senate pushback

Expect a dramatic change in U.S. policy when Joe Biden and Kamala Harris take office – they repeatedly commit to fight global warming and respect science. Much can be done by executive action. Legislation is another matter.

Is Amy Coney Barrett a climate-science denier? That’s for her to know.

The Supreme Court hopeful evaded senators’ efforts to pin down her views about climate change. But echoing climate-action foes, she called the vast scientific consensus that climate change is real and a threat “contentious.”

New polls show voters clearly prefer Biden to Trump on climate change

Climate change is a top issue for Democrats and independents, but not Republicans. Even so, surprisingly large numbers of Republicans favor climate-friendly ideas, including rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement.

Will climate get top-tier attention in the presidential race’s home stretch?

Climate change and related energy issues seemed to be in place to play a historically prominent role in the 2020 campaign. Then came the pandemic, economic turmoil and a renewed debate over racial justice.

Reducing deforestation, wildlife trade, key to limiting future pandemics

A new study finds precautionary measures that decrease animal-human contact and pathogen spread are a sound return on investment. Pandemics, like climate change, need global solutions, a Rice University co-author says.

New reports help detail the scope of increasing flood threats in Texas

First Street Foundation’s study indicates Houston is the U.S. city with the greatest number of properties at flood risk now. A new NOAA report points to the growing threat of high-tide flooding along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Texas cities join mapping project in effort to fight urban heat islands

Pockets of higher temperatures in urban areas pose health threats, particularly to marginalized communities. By mapping these areas, experts hope to get a better sense of effective ameliorative strategies.

Pandemic complicates plans for dealing with possible severe storm season

Above-average sea-surface temperatures could mean more powerful hurricanes this year, experts warn. Can Gulf Coast hospitals handle an influx of injured storm victims on top of a swelling Covid-19 patient load?

On Earth Day’s 50th anniversary, strong echoes of the first one in 1970

As today, participants five decades ago linked environmental issues with social and economic concerns. Then, as now, public health was one subject in the spotlight – witness the attention to Covid-19 today.

More extreme heat and extreme rainfall projected for Texas’ 200th birthday

A report sponsored by a Dallas-based nonprofit with ties to the business community and produced by Texas’ state climatologist aims to equip the state’s leadership to act now for climate change expected by 2036.

Climate politics, 2020 style: Al Gore kicks off voter campaign in Houston

The “Vote Your Future: Vote Climate” drive focuses on young people. Gore’s rally at historically black Texas Southern University showed Texas is seen as an electoral battleground and site for environmental justice appeals.

New study confirms Gulf Coast sea-level rise among the country’s highest

Scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science measured sea-level rise at 32 tide-gauge stations along the U.S. coastline. Rockport and Galveston had the second- and third-highest rates of rise in 2019.

Texas Climate News: 11 years of fact-based journalism in the public interest

When this nonprofit publication launched in 2008, there was no expectation it would still be afloat 11 years later. But here we are, thanks in large part to our readers. Please consider making a donation to help us keep going.

TCN Journal December 18, 2019

Austin’s emergency resolution one more step on its climate-action path

Advocates of urgent action to curb and get ready for climate change have promoted the use of “emergency” and “crisis” to describe it. That terminology campaign is enjoying some success. Austin is one of the entities now on board.

TCN Journal December 2, 2019

Efforts encouraging Texas ranchers to restore native grasses show promise

One former state official helps ranchers replenish their property with native grasses. He hopes a connected series of restored prairies will help protect native Texas wildlife from the effects of climate change.

TCN Journal October 29, 2019

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