TCN Digest: As 2022 eased into 2023, news offered hints of what to expect

In this installment of TCN Digest, we recount some important climate and energy developments that occurred around the turn of the year and examine the indications that they provide about the months ahead.

Bill Dawson

2022’s US climate disasters, from storms and floods to heat waves and droughts

While too much rainfall threatened some regions, extreme heat and too little precipitation worsened risks elsewhere. Climate change is intensifying such extreme events and causing them to occur more frequently.

Shuang-Ye Wu

Elon Musk’s Twitter gives climate misinformation a new lease on life

With the social media platform in turmoil, scientists from Texas and elsewhere are pondering their next steps as they watch their reader engagement drop and dismissal of climate change rise.

Bob Henson

What is the “30 by 30” goal – and can it save global biodiversity?

An international conference began this week in Montreal with a target that's more complex than it sounds – protecting 30% of nature by 2030. Countries are debating what conservation actions should count and how to pay for them.

Jack Graham

Coral reefs near Texas may not escape greater damage from climate change

Coral reefs – indicators of overall ocean health – have fared better in the Flower Garden Banks Marine Sanctuary than many reefs elsewhere. But researchers have now concluded that could change as Gulf waters heat up.

Melissa Gaskill

TCN Digest: Reading some of the tea leaves left by mid-term voters

Republican victories in Texas mean explicit, state-level climate action seems sure to be a continuing nonstarter. But the failure of a “red wave” to materialize nationally means Biden’s legislative achievements appear secure.

Bill Dawson

Analysis: What candidates say (and don’t say) on their campaign websites

We examined the websites of the Republican and Democratic candidates for Texas governor, land commissioner and railroad commissioner. Their discussions of issues weren’t always what you might expect.

Bill Dawson

The magnetic pull of electric vehicles is slowly drawing Texas in

As consumer interest in EVs grows, government officials at all levels in Texas are working to decide how to add infrastructure to support more EV ownership in the state, a transportation researcher at Texas A&M said.

John Kent

Hurricane Ian’s climate change connections: A reading (and viewing) list

A sampling of recent coverage – articles, maps, videos and photos that explain and illustrate hurricane intensification, the growing hazards of storm surge and the role of population growth in vulnerable areas.

Bill Dawson

TCN Digest: Will climate change figure significantly in the 2022 midterms?

Recent polling paints a mixed picture of whether voters will assign importance to climate issues – and how much – as they decide how to vote in hundreds of congressional and state races across the country.

Bill Dawson

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