Inside Climate News
Iowa Moves to Shield Farmers, Ethanol Plants, From Lawsuits Over Emissions
Iowa legislators have passed a bill protecting farmers and ethanol plants from climate-related lawsuits over greenhouse gas emissions, despite pushback from farm advocacy groups like the Iowa Farmers Union. The move reflects a broader effort by agricultural states to preemptively guard the industry against the kind of litigation that has targeted oil and gas companies. Critics argue the shield is unnecessary, while supporters see it as essential protection for a sector central to the state's economy.
Read article →Guardian Environment
$30m an hour: big oil reaping huge war windfall from consumers, analysis finds
The world's 100 largest oil and gas companies are collectively pocketing over $30 million per hour in windfall profits tied to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, with total gains projected to reach $234 billion by the end of 2026. Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and ExxonMobil stand among the primary beneficiaries, capturing price surges driven by geopolitical instability rather than operational performance. The findings intensify scrutiny of fossil fuel giants profiting from war while simultaneously lobbying against climate action.
Read article →Inside Climate News
Global Finance and Energy Leaders Warn of Potentially Dire Impacts From Iran War
The IMF and IEA have issued stark warnings about the global economic fallout from the ongoing Iran conflict, now entering its seventh week. Both institutions project severe consequences for energy markets and financial stability if the war continues beyond current projections. The reports follow a fragile April 8 ceasefire that has yet to produce a lasting resolution.
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Mongabay
Indonesia braces for possible ‘Godzilla El Niño’ as fire season escalates early
Indonesia's 2026 fire season is already showing alarming momentum, with 32,637 hectares burned by February — before the dry season has even peaked. Forecasters warn a potential "Godzilla" El Niño could dramatically intensify conditions later this year, echoing the catastrophic 2015 event that blanketed Southeast Asia in toxic haze. The early escalation puts pressure on authorities to act before the crisis reaches a scale that becomes uncontrollable.
Read article →Grist
Hurricane Helene ravaged farmers’ topsoil. They’re still fighting to build it back.
Months after Hurricane Helene tore through farming communities, growers are still grappling with one of the storm's most insidious forms of damage: the wholesale destruction of topsoil built up over decades. Without that foundation, crop yields and long-term land viability hang in the balance. For farmers already operating on thin margins, rebuilding soil health is not just an agricultural challenge — it's an existential one.
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