skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Israel backs Trump plan and orders military to prepare for Palestinians to leave Gaza; MS families face hardship as state rejects federal summer food aid again; Advocates: Unfair insurance policies causing DE mental health crisis; Conservationists: Study of Atlantic menhaden critical to preserving species.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Nationwide protests erupt against federal policies, Indiana's EV infrastructure expansion stalls due to a funding freeze, and Washington state pushes for rent stabilization to combat rising housing costs.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Expert Wants Federal Investments to Help Ecological Health in AZ

play audio
Play

Thursday, August 10, 2023   

Experts across the West have met to discuss the potential impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act as the one-year anniversary of the piece of legislation approaches.

Michael Cravens, advocacy and conservation director for the Arizona Wildlife Federation, said the bill makes the largest investment in the nation's history to combat climate change, by incentivizing responsible clean-energy projects.

In Arizona, he pointed out climate change has made lack of water the biggest concern, despite good rainfall this past winter and now during monsoon season. He added when it comes to Arizona wildlife, there is very little discussion about the effects the shortage of water will have on ecological health and habitat.

"Repercussions to the region's wildlife remain overlooked as part of this crisis," Cravens contended. "Hopefully we start seeing some signs there and some more eyes on the problem."

He added many species are struggling to survive because of rising temperatures, changes in landscapes and humans pulling water from the Colorado River. Cravens noted as Colorado River levels continue to drop, it only equates to the shrinkage of not only habitat in Arizona but also the diversity of species that can be supported.

Cravens emphasized simply put, Arizona forests are not what they once were. He said because of the warmer and drier conditions, fires have become increasingly more intense and devastating. He is hopeful Inflation Reduction Act funding will be able to help address these concerns and allow forests to bounce back.

"Regarding future investments, I would love to see the restoration of these forests," Cravens stressed. "This is ongoing work, but closer to what we used to have through mechanical thinning and then putting fire back on that landscape in a controlled and safe way."

Cravens acknowledged he is not a climatologist but added those who are have said long-term drought can last for several decades based on what he calls "natural conditions." He said adding human-caused climate change into the mix throws "a big wrench into the system."


get more stories like this via email

more stories
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service, Mississippi has the highest rates of food insecurity in the nation. (Katerina Holmes/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Mississippi families struggling with food insecurity are bracing for another difficult summer after state officials declined millions in federal fundi…


Environment

play sound

Some experts predict arable land per person will shrink by two-thirds by 2050. To combat it, Michigan students are being trained in "smart" …

Environment

play sound

A new study by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality found nitrate levels have continued to rise across the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater …


Currently, insurance companies get to decide how much of a public ambulance service's rate to pay, which can lead to patients being charged the unpaid balance. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado lawmakers are working to ensure all Coloradans with health coverage for ambulance services are not hit with surprise bills or charged higher …

Environment

play sound

Conservation groups in Maine are calling on the state's congressional delegation to protect federal funding for clean energy technologies. A new …

Osprey, bluefish, red drum and cobia rely on menhaden populations for food. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

Atlantic menhaden weigh less than a pound and measure little more than a foot long but the small fish has big consequences for the Chesapeake Bay ecos…

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Kay Ivey delivered her 2025 State of the State address this week, focusing on education, public safety, and economic growth in Alabama. She …

Social Issues

play sound

In rural states such as South and North Dakota and large urban centers around the U.S., protests were held Wednesday amid fears about the first wave …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021