Reports by Texas Climate News

All of TCN’s original coverage since 2008

As heat waves increase, green roofs could help cool Texas cities

Vegetation-covered roofs may be challenging to create and maintain, but they can be up to 40 degrees cooler than conventional roofs. They can also reduce flash flooding and provide islands of habitat for pollinators.

Melissa Gaskill April 28, 2022

TCN Digest: “Now or never” – IPCC on keeping warming below dangerous levels

The U.N.-sponsored body assessed various strategies for limiting pollution-fueled climate change to avoid the worst impacts. “Carbon dioxide removal” supplements emission reductions in some of them.

Bill Dawson April 16, 2022

Q&A: Daniel Cohan of Rice University on charting a path out of climate gridlock

In his new book, the atmospheric scientist and environmental engineering professor dives into diplomacy, technology and policy, arguing that action in all three areas is needed for progress against climate change.

Bob Henson March 30, 2022

Millions of Texans lack home weatherization that can save energy, lives

“There’s a huge number of homes out there that cannot hold a [set temperature] for even a minute – if the AC shuts off, that house is getting hot,” a Texas energy efficiency expert said.

Amal Ahmed March 8, 2022

Damned if they do or don’t? New eco-warrior billionaires spark debate

Some hyper-wealthy people are pledging donations to fight climate change and protect ecosystems. Is it a positive, even “game-changing” development? Or should governments constrain carbon-spewing luxuries?

John Kent February 11, 2022

The threat ramps up for a hot, dry La Niña spring in Texas

After a record-mild autumn and a freakishly warm December, much of Texas could sink into its worst drought in a decade. That prospect is ominous – a reminder of the state’s catastrophic heat wave and drought in 2011.

BOB HENSON January 24, 2022

As climate-linked crisis of plastic pollution grows, we keep cranking out plastic

From 1950-2017, the world produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastics. Global production has skyrocketed – it totaled 381 million metric tons (MMT) in 2015 alone. Now, humans create 242 MMT of plastic waste each year.

Melissa Gaskill December 16, 2021

A fork in the road for Texas officials on climate-altering methane pollution

Facing new federal regulations and global momentum for a crackdown on oil and gas emissions, will Texas finally admit methane’s threat? Or will state officials keep resisting climate action?

Bill Dawson December 6, 2021

TCN Digest: Water worries in Texas, worldwide as weather extremes multiply

The U.N.’s weather agency predicted a “looming” global water crisis created by changing climate and growing population. A Texas water expert asks: Will the state adequately adapt its “fragile” water and power infrastructure?

Bill Dawson October 29, 2021

A big jump in climate-action support follows 2021’s run of extreme weather

A new national poll found increases in Americans’ agreement that global warming is happening, their worries about it and support for climate action. Will the surge translate into passage of bills stalled in Congress?

Bill Dawson October 6, 2021

Climate, local authority, divestment: The enduring clout of oil and gas

Fossil fuels don’t dominate the Texas economy as they did in the past. But they still provide “a huge amount of the money that goes into the coffers” of public office-seekers, said a TCU political scientist.

John Kent September 23, 2021

No doubt climate change made Ida more destructive, scientists say

Warmer ocean waters can rapidly strengthen storms. Ocean warming has been unceasing for 50 years, the IPCC recently reported. And this trend “will likely continue until at least 2300 even for low-emission scenarios.”

Bill Dawson September 7, 2021

TCN Digest: Even with a ‘code red’ climate report, scientists still have hope

“Unprecedented” climate changes lie ahead, some “irreversible.” Parts of the IPCC’s latest update may prompt a defeatist response, but the report also says there’s still time to avoid the worst, researchers stress.

Bill Dawson August 26, 2021

‘Code red for humanity’: The IPCC report’s meaning for the world and Texas

Human-caused warming of the earth is “unequivocal,” the new scientific assessment’s authors declared. “This report must sound a death knell for coal and fossil fuels,” the UN secretary-general said.

Bob Henson August 9, 2021

Winter, summer weather extremes are taking a toll on Texas plants, wildlife

Researchers are documenting impacts of extreme cold and heat on animals and the plants they rely on for food and habitat. The deaths of hundreds of thousands of animals were recorded in February’s winter storm, for example.

Melissa Gaskill July 28, 2021

Electric vehicle infrastructure bill fizzles as EVs shift into high gear

Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature co-sponsored a measure to ensure Texas plays a leading role in the transition to electric vehicles. The House bill easily won committee approval but never came to a floor vote.

John Kent July 18, 2021

Will Texas implement reinstated US rules to cut methane emissions?

The curbs on leaks of climate-changing methane from oil and gas operations restore Obama-era rules that Trump junked. Texas has a record of suing to stop climate-protecting measures and refusing to implement them.

Nushin Huq July 11, 2021

Two national polls find falling Republican support for renewable energy

Historically, Republicans have voiced more support for renewables than concern about climate change. But their enthusiasm for clean energy appears to be eroding in another possible sign of partisan polarization.

Bill Dawson June 30, 2021

Threat of more blackouts may erode reliability claims for fossil energy

Amid soaring temps, Texas’ grid operator said unexpected shutdowns at power plants had stressed the system. Nearly 80% were “thermal” generators (mostly natural gas-fueled in Texas) and not renewable sources.

Bill Dawson June 18, 2021

Climate change and the Texas Mid-Coast: The closest examination yet

A new assessment pinpoints threats to a haven for water lovers and wildlife. The National Wildlife Federation report also identifies proactive measures that state and local leadership can pursue to prepare.

Bob Henson June 9, 2021

Texas Climate News

Reports by Texas Climate News

As heat waves increase, green roofs could help cool Texas cities

TCN Digest: “Now or never” – IPCC on keeping warming below dangerous levels

Q&A: Daniel Cohan of Rice University on charting a path out of climate gridlock

Millions of Texans lack home weatherization that can save energy, lives

Damned if they do or don’t? New eco-warrior billionaires spark debate

The threat ramps up for a hot, dry La Niña spring in Texas

As climate-linked crisis of plastic pollution grows, we keep cranking out plastic

A fork in the road for Texas officials on climate-altering methane pollution

TCN Digest: Water worries in Texas, worldwide as weather extremes multiply

A big jump in climate-action support follows 2021’s run of extreme weather

Climate, local authority, divestment: The enduring clout of oil and gas

No doubt climate change made Ida more destructive, scientists say

TCN Digest: Even with a ‘code red’ climate report, scientists still have hope

‘Code red for humanity’: The IPCC report’s meaning for the world and Texas

Winter, summer weather extremes are taking a toll on Texas plants, wildlife

Electric vehicle infrastructure bill fizzles as EVs shift into high gear

Will Texas implement reinstated US rules to cut methane emissions?

Two national polls find falling Republican support for renewable energy

Threat of more blackouts may erode reliability claims for fossil energy

Climate change and the Texas Mid-Coast: The closest examination yet

Site

Follow

Support

Texas Climate News

Reports by Texas Climate News

As heat waves increase, green roofs could help cool Texas cities

TCN Digest: “Now or never” – IPCC on keeping warming below dangerous levels

Q&A: Daniel Cohan of Rice University on charting a path out of climate gridlock

Millions of Texans lack home weatherization that can save energy, lives

Damned if they do or don’t? New eco-warrior billionaires spark debate

The threat ramps up for a hot, dry La Niña spring in Texas

As climate-linked crisis of plastic pollution grows, we keep cranking out plastic

A fork in the road for Texas officials on climate-altering methane pollution

TCN Digest: Water worries in Texas, worldwide as weather extremes multiply

A big jump in climate-action support follows 2021’s run of extreme weather

Climate, local authority, divestment: The enduring clout of oil and gas

No doubt climate change made Ida more destructive, scientists say

TCN Digest: Even with a ‘code red’ climate report, scientists still have hope

‘Code red for humanity’: The IPCC report’s meaning for the world and Texas

Winter, summer weather extremes are taking a toll on Texas plants, wildlife

Electric vehicle infrastructure bill fizzles as EVs shift into high gear

Will Texas implement reinstated US rules to cut methane emissions?

Two national polls find falling Republican support for renewable energy

Threat of more blackouts may erode reliability claims for fossil energy

Climate change and the Texas Mid-Coast: The closest examination yet

Site

Follow

Support

Support TCN

Subscribe to the TCN newsletter