Government-sponsored research and regulations enabled western U.S. states to clean up their air, despite industrial and population growth. Proposed funding cuts could undo this progress.
United States
Restore State Department Science Capacity, Expert Urges
Former State Department science adviser highlights value of science diplomacy and raises concerns about the department’s direction.
Sea Level Rise May Swamp Many Coastal U.S. Sewage Plants
Cities typically build wastewater treatment facilities in low-lying areas. A new national study identifies which plants are most vulnerable to coastal flooding.
Major Federal Tropical Research Project to Cease 7 Years Early
The Department of Energy shutters a project aimed at improving climate models less than halfway through the expected decade-long run.
Iranian Geoscientists’ Careers Hurt by U.S. Travel Policies
Three scientists spell out how travel bans, enhanced vetting, and burdensome bureaucracy, which collectively shape U.S. immigration law, have had lasting effects on their careers.
How Will Climate Change Affect the United States in Decades to Come?
A new U.S. government report shows that climate is changing and that human activities will lead to many more changes. These changes will affect sea levels, drought frequency, severe precipitation, and more.
Stories in the Soil
A series of field experiments in the U.S. Midwest is investigating how past, present, and future human activities and climate affect the health of soil.
White House Will Nominate AccuWeather’s Barry Myers to Lead NOAA
While some observers say Myers is a good fit, critics express concern about his lack of a science background and potential conflicts of interest.
Past FEMA Head Urges Smarter Rebuilding After Natural Disasters
Craig Fugate says the United States has an opportunity to rebuild more resiliently if Congress doesn’t simply provide relief money but also requires rebuilding to higher standards.
Playing with Water: Humans Are Altering Risk of Nuisance Floods
New research suggests that excessive groundwater usage and damming have changed the natural risk of nuisance floods, for better or worse, in eastern U.S. coastal cities.
