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Research indicates 3.6 billion people currently live in areas highly vulnerable to climate change, with an estimated 250,000 additional deaths annually projected between 2030 and 2050 because of its effects. (Adobe Stock)

Leaders to gather in NC to tackle health impacts of pollution, climate change

Environmental leaders are set to gather in Durham to address how climate change is impacting human health and well-being. Emily Wolfe, health …

CleanAIRE NC is a nonprofit organization based in Charlotte that focuses on addressing climate change, air pollution and environmental justice. (Alexey Rotanov/Adobe Stock)

Initiative aims to boost sustainability in underserved NC communities

A new project is set to help North Carolina communities address environmental justice and climate equity. The city of Charlotte, in collaboration …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the southeastern United States has warmed less than most of the nation. But in the coming decades, the region's changing climate is likely to increase flooding, reduce crop yields, harm livestock, increase the number of unpleasantly hot days, and increase the risk of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. (Adobe Stock)

Privatizing weather reports raises alarms for North Carolina’s safety

As hurricanes, flash floods and other severe weather events become more frequent in North Carolina, accurate and timely weather reports are crucial …

The North Carolina Division of Mitigation Services has determined the real estate value of salt marshes in the state is more than $123 billion, based on their overall contributions to the environment and economy. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina launches five-year plan to restore salt marshes

North Carolina's 220,000 acres of salt marshes face multiple threats to their major roles in climate protection and ecosystem health, from rising …

A Charlotte Earth Day event will provide children with an Earth Passport, which will help guide them through four

A focus on environmental protection, advocacy for NC Earth Day

April is Earth Month, and North Carolina's climate justice groups are addressing the crucial roles of air, land, water and health in protecting the …

This year's Blue Sky Award recipients include environmental justice advocate Sherri White-Williamson, community leader Ron Ross, electric vehicle proponent Ray Addison II, CleanAIRE NC Board Chair Kwame Alexander, and educator Yancey Fouch� with the Davidson Sustainability Scholars program. (Adobe Stock)

Climate advocates honored at CleanAIRE NC annual fundraiser

This Saturday, North Carolinians who are dedicated to fighting climate change and air pollution will be honored at the annual CleanAIRE Affair …

When fossil fuels are burned, they release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the air. Greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, causing global warming. (Adobe Stock)

NC Christian leaders shift focus to climate change for All Saints Day

Today is All Saints' Day and in addition to remembering loved ones no longer with us, some Christian leaders in North Carolina are shifting their …

The Inflation Reduction Act and other federal legislation are putting hundreds of billions of dollars toward programs to spur clean energy usage, but many energy companies aren't using the money. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Report: NC utility slow to shift away from fossil fuel dependence

New data from the Sierra Club shows Duke energy is slow to reduce fossil fuel dependence and lower costs for customers. The utility and its …

Bats are the only mammals capable of self-powered flight, and account for about one in five of all mammals on earth. There are around 1,300 bat species worldwide. (Anastasiia/ Adobe Stock)

Wildlife advocates: Bats provide $50 billion worth of natural pest control

As Halloween approaches and thoughts may turn to spooky bat costumes, advocates for endangered species are reminding everyone bats are not creatures …

Restaurant Opportunities Centers United reports, based on comments of more than 500 restaurant workers gathered in response to OSHA's proposed indoor and outdoor heat standards, many restaurants are inadequately prepared to mitigate the impact and have shown a disregard for keeping their workers safe and healthy. (Rade Lukovic/Adobe Stock)<br />

Restaurant Workers Battle Against Rising Heat for Safer Working Conditions

Restaurant workers are feeling the heat now more than ever as they battle hotter working conditions due to climate change, and they are calling for …

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the proposed standards for coal and natural gas power plants would result in avoiding up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions through 2042. (Adobe Stock)

Deadline Nears to Comment on Proposed NC Pollution Standards

Climate change is a pressing concern as the world deals with heat waves and poor air quality caused by recent wildfires. To safeguard the health and …

According to the East Coast Greenway Alliance, 50 million bike rides, runs and walks occur every year along the project's existing route. (Adobe Stock)

North Carolina Greenways: A Path to Health, Happiness, and Economic Growth

By Ashira Morris for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalis…

Union County averaged 1.3 high ozone days giving them a

NC Air Report Highlights Needs for Emission Reduction, Rural Air Monitoring

A new study emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced air quality monitoring in rural regions, while drawing attention to the efforts required to …

Farmland makes up about 8.3 million acres in North Carolina, and agriculture employs one in six people in the state. (Andrii Yalanskyi/Adobe Stock)

NC Farmers Count On Congress for Support to Fight Climate Change

North Carolina farmers are monitoring a bill that's been revived in Congress, aimed at improving farm sustainability and reducing the agriculture …

People have increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by 40% since the late 1700s. (Adobe Stock)

NC BREATHE Conference: Climate Concerns for Vulnerable Communities

North Carolina groups are gathering to tackle the main challenges climate change presents to local communities at today's NC BREATHE Conference in Cha…

Anyone can get lung cancer from radon, including people who have never smoked. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

NC Officials Encourage Testing for Radon

As January comes to a close so does Radon Action Month, but officials want North Carolinians to test for the poisonous gas this winter. Radon is a …

The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that in 2021, diesel fuel consumption spewed about 472 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. (Adobe Stock)<br />

North Carolina Seeks Input from Residents on Advanced Clean Trucks Rule

North Carolina's Department of Environmental Quality hosts a virtual public information session today on changes the state is considering to boost the…

Air pollution irritates the lungs and respiratory system, and even healthy people can have trouble taking deep breaths on

Current NC Carbon Plan Falls Short on Public Health

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is expected to release its final Carbon Plan by the end of the year. Critics say the current plan, which …

The Volkswagen Settlement will fund 161 new school buses across the state, the majority of which will be electric. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Clean School Bus Program Awards Five Districts in North Carolina

Five school districts in North Carolina have been awarded more than $12 million in funding for cleaner school buses. The Environmental Protection …

Michelle and Brielle Wright have seen firsthand the impact of climate change on their 11-acre farm in North Carolina. (The Farmer's B.A.G.)

In NC, Black Family Farms Grapple with Climate Change

Two sisters running a small vegetable farm in Bladen County said they are struggling to keep their business profitable in a changing climate…

In order to avoid the worst effects of climate change, utilities must transition to at least 80% clean energy by 2030, says a Sierra Club report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Duke Energy 'Greenwashes' Heavy Fossil-Fuel Dependency

Duke Energy is out of step with the science showing North Carolina needs to put the brakes on fossil fuels in order to avoid the worst impacts of clim…

A 2021 report from the Energy Transition Institute puts the

Critics Say Utilities Panel Not Doing Enough to Shape NC Carbon Plan

Advocates are contending North Carolina state agencies are not doing enough to slow down the devastating impacts of climate change. Last year Gov…

An estimated six million children with asthma in the United States are especially vulnerable to air pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (Adobe Stock)

New Bill Allocates Money for Improving NC's Coastal Resilience

The Inflation Reduction Act, newly signed into law, allocates billions of dollars to fight climate change, including funds specifically for coastal …

As of June 30, 2021, the number of small businesses open in the U.S. had decreased by 47.8% compared to January 2020, <a href=

according to the Alliance to Save Energy. (Adobe Stock)">

Climate Change, Extreme Temps Affect NC Black-Owned Small Businesses

A new Pew Research poll finds Americans are split on how to tackle climate change. In North Carolina, small Black-owned businesses say they're …

Electric-car sales reached a record 3 million in 2020, up 40% from 2019, according to the International Energy Agency. (Adobe Stock)

NC Pushes for Electric Trucks, School Buses to Cut Carbon Emissions

North Carolina businesses and advocacy groups want Gov. Roy Cooper to adopt new heavy-duty electric-vehicle rules by the end of next year. They say …

Under legislation passed in 2021, North Carolina has set goal to cut carbon emissions from energy plants owned and/or operated by Duke Energy by 70% from 2005 levels by 2030, and reach carbon neutrality by 2050. (Adobe Stock)

Hearings Offer Chance to Comment on Duke Energy's Carbon Plan

A series of in-person hearings across the state in the coming weeks will give North Carolinians a chance for input on a proposal by Duke Energy to cut…

Research published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found air pollution emitted by livestock waste and fertilizer application across the United States contributes significantly to premature deaths in nearby communities. (Adobe Stock)

Push to Weigh Cumulative Impacts of Air Pollution in NC Permitting Process

Environmental groups are pushing for changes to North Carolina's industry-permitting process, which they say does not account for the cumulative …

The 2020 North Carolina Climate Science Report stated,

NC Faith Leaders Call on U.S. to Pay 'Fair Share' for Climate-Related Loss

Faith and climate leaders convene in Charlotte this week, as the Southeast Climate and Energy Network and US Climate Action Network join forces…

North Carolina will fall short of its 2025 and 2030 climate targets without additional policies put in place to curb emissions, says a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Without Action, NC Will Fall Short on 2025 Climate Goals

Executive orders aimed at driving down greenhouse-gas emissions are still not enough to reach North Carolina's 50% reduction goal by 2030, a report …

North Carolina solar advocates say churches can save on their energy bills by installing solar. (Adobe Stock)

NC Churches Highlight Solar Panels During Faith Climate Action Week

Duke Energy's solar panel rebate program expires this year, and faith groups such as the North Carolina Council of Churches and Interfaith Power and …

Harmful chemicals known as PFAS have been detected in the drinking water of nearly two dozen public water systems across North Carolina, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)

Environmental Leaders Gather in NC for Health-Equity Conference

National environmental leaders gather this week in Salisbury to discuss how North Carolina can better address the disproportionate public health impac…

Plastic and litter pollution disproportionately affects marginalized communities, where residents often live in close proximity to plastic-production and waste sites, according to the United Nations Environment Program. (Adobe Stock)

During Black History Month, NC Groups Push for More Say on Climate Policies

North Carolina environmental-justice groups are calling for increased representation in crafting state policies related to environmental issues…

Open windows in the dock house at Bowen's Island look out on the Folly River and surrounding marsh, on Aug. 11, 2021. (Jason Lee)

A Million Acres of ‘Priceless’ Marshes: At Risk from Rising Tides?

By Sammy Fretwell, Adam Wagner and Anita Lee for McClatchy News and The Raleigh News and Observer, with support fromthe Pulitzer Center on Crisis …

Gov. Roy Cooper's new executive order is titled

NC Executive Order Focuses on Environmental Justice, Public Input

Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a new executive order that directs cabinet agencies to consider issues of environmental justice when taking actions …

The salt marsh at the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, N.C., is part of the

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NC Military Bases Use Living Shorelines to Boost Climate Resiliency

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Military facilities in North Carolina are partnering with local coastal communities on natural infrastructure projects to …

The latest North Carolina state budget includes $40 million for water and sewer projects in the state park system. (Adobe Stock)

Historic Dollars for Conservation, Outdoor Recreation in NC State Budget

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina communities will soon receive funding to preserve green spaces, maintain parks and boost resiliency against the …

Experts at The Pew Charitable Trusts say the sounds, shorelines and marshes of North Carolina's coast form one of the largest estuary systems in the country. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NC’s Updated Coastal Habitat Plan Focuses on Seagrass, Local Solutions

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. -- North Carolina's Marine Fisheries Commission has approved an updated version of the state's Coastal Habitat Protection Plan…

Cutting greenhouse-gas emissions as part of an effort to slow climate change also reduces air pollutants, such as fine particulate matter, that harm human health, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (Adobe Stock)

NC Lawmaker: Build Back Better Act “Makes Up” for Time Lost on Emissions

DURHAM, N.C. -- North Carolina lawmakers say President Joe Biden's recently announced Build Back Better Act will help ensure generations of residents …

Some four out of ten U.S. residents - 135 million people - live in counties with unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the 2021 State of the Air report by the American Lung Association. (Adobe Stock)

NC Scientist Says Climate Action Needed Now to Protect Human Health

RALEIGH, N.C. - Higher temperatures driven by climate change will likely make air pollution worse, and one North Carolina scientist says action is …

The United States currently has 2,000 operational biogas systems linked to farms, landfills, wastewater treatment facilities and food waste, according to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Align RNG Settlement Spotlights Biogas Plant Regulation

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- After the first settlement of its kind in North Carolina capping limits on emissions from a biogas plant in Sampson County…

Industrial consumers, environmental advocates and residential ratepayers in North Carolina have voiced concerns over a new energy bill critics say was created with outsized input from Duke Energy. (Adobe Stock)

NC Energy Bill Gets Criticism for Cost, Climate-Change Effectiveness

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Critics of an energy bill moving through the North Carolina General Assembly say it would cost several hundred-million dollars over …

PM2.5 readings from PurpleAir monitors across North Carolina on the evening of July 4. Emissions from grills, fireworks and other household sources increase PM2.5 levels. (CleanAIRE NC)

EPA Using Low-Cost NC Sensors to Collect Air-Quality Data

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Environmental Protection Agency is now including data from a network of low-cost air sensors in North Carolina in its official …

Over the past six decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of fires in the western United States, according to NASA. (Adobe Stock)

Western Wildfire Smoke Poses Health Hazard for NC Residents

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Massive wildfires in the Western U.S. and Canada have triggered poor air quality in North Carolina over the past few weeks, and …

Seven in ten North Carolina voters believe climate impacts like erratic weather and stronger storms will have costly effects on residents, according to a poll by the Environmental Defense Action Fund. (Adobe Stock)

Environmentalists Say State Must Focus on “Interconnected” Climate Solutions

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The state's Environmental Management Commission this week green-lighted a plan to cut carbon emissions from power plants. The …

North Carolina could join the 11 states that make up the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a market-based collective to cap and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from the power sector. (Adobe Stock)

NC Steps Closer to Joining States Committed to Reducing Carbon Emissions

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A state environmental committee is considering a proposal to set a process in motion to reduce carbon emissions from power plants…

Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order with an 8,000-megawatt target for offshore wind-energy generation by 2040. (agrarmotive/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Expanding Offshore Wind Capacity Good for NC Economy

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Groups advocating for clean energy say Gov. Roy Cooper's recent commitment to expand North Carolina's offshore wind capacity will …

Salt marshes have disappeared over the past two decades along the Eastern Seaboard and other coastlines because of development, polluted runoff and rising seas. (Adobe Stock)

Military, Government Groups Endorse NC Salt-Marsh Protection Plan

WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A group of military and government leaders has endorsed an initiative to protect the one million acres of salt marsh that …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 19, 2024

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NC: Climate Change