Guardian Environment
Dismay as Trump officials to dismantle key ocean monitoring system
The Trump administration is moving to shut down the Ocean Observatories Initiative, a $368 million deep-sea monitoring network of over 900 instruments that has spent more than a decade gathering critical data on ocean systems and climate change. The National Science Foundation confirmed the decision in a formal notice, marking the latest scientific infrastructure casualty of federal budget cuts. Researchers warn the loss of this irreplaceable data stream will set back climate science by years.
Read article →Inside Climate News
Colorado River Faces ‘Devastating Consequences’ If Another Dry Winter Lands, Experts Warn
Another dry winter could push Colorado River reservoirs to critically low levels, threatening water supplies for millions across the American West. Experts warn that the river system, already strained by years of drought and overuse, has little buffer left to absorb another poor precipitation season. The findings add urgency to ongoing federal negotiations over how to manage and allocate the river's dwindling water long-term.
Read article →Guardian Environment
El Niño expected to develop in coming months, bringing hotter and drier weather to eastern Australia
The Bureau of Meteorology and international agencies are forecasting Australia's first El Niño since 2023 to develop within months, bringing hotter and drier conditions predominantly to the east of the country. The shift marks a significant change from the La Niña-influenced wet years that have dominated recent seasons. Authorities are urging preparation as the weather pattern is expected to intensify drought and bushfire risks heading into the warmer months.
Read article →
Mongabay
Solar power brings energy to rural Indonesia, but inequality remains
Solar panels have brought round-the-clock electricity to Muara Enggelam, a remote stilt village in East Kalimantan, replacing diesel generators and unlocking new economic opportunities — particularly for women entrepreneurs. The shift marks a meaningful step forward for energy access in one of Indonesia's most isolated communities. Yet the story also signals a broader challenge: electrification alone cannot close the deeper gaps in infrastructure and opportunity that persist across rural Indonesia.
Read article →Yale Environment 360
U.S. to Dismantle System Tracking Atlantic Currents That Are at Risk of Collapse
The Trump administration plans to dismantle a network of over 900 ocean instruments monitoring the Pacific and Atlantic, eliminating a critical source of data on Atlantic circulation patterns. Scientists rely on this system to track the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which plays a central role in regulating climate across North America and Europe. Losing this data would leave researchers blind to one of the most consequential tipping points in climate science.
Read article →Get this delivered every morning
Join thousands of readers who get the world's most important stories, curated daily.
Start reading free →