Dana Nuccitelli
- Journalist, Yale Climate Connections
- Research Coordinator, Citizens' Climate Lobby
- Environmental Scientist, Tetra Tech
West Sacramento
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Research Coordinator for @citizensclimate, environmental scientist, climate journalist for @CC_Yale. Author of Climatology versus Pseudoscience. Views my own.
Articles by Dana Nuccitelli
America is hurtling toward a power grid crisis
A crisis is brewing for the U.S. electricity grid – one that could make your electric bill skyrocket and thwart efforts to address climate change. To understand the problem, think of transmission lines – the poles and wires that transport electricity from power plants to homes and businesses – as an interstate highway system for electrons. Like too many cars on the road, too many electrons traveling across power lines can cause traffic jams.
Trump’s Iran war supercharged EV sales everywhere except the U.S. Original
Electric vehicle sales are a surprising beneficiary of the Trump presidency – at least outside of the United States. The Iran conflict caused global oil prices to surge above $100 per barrel in March, April, and May of this year. Gasoline prices soon followed suit, exceeding $4 per gallon in the United States most days since April Fools’ Day. As the biggest consumer of oil from the Middle East, Asia was hit hardest by its rising prices, shortages, and restrictions.
Solar, wind, and EVs have knocked out a doomsday climate scenario Original
Thanks to the transition from fossil fuels to clean technologies, what used to be considered the worst-case climate change scenario now appears to be outside the realm of plausibility, climate scientists said in a recent study. That study made headlines in May when President Donald Trump falsely claimed that climate scientists had admitted that their projections had been wrong, a claim akin to an anti-vaxxer gloating that the official end of the pandemic proved that COVID was never a problem.
A look back at ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ 20 years later
Al Gore’s climate documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” arrived in theaters 20 years ago, in May 2006. The film had a profound effect on the public’s awareness and understanding of climate change, a number of surveys found. I count myself among those who were dramatically influenced by “An Inconvenient Truth.” In 2006, the topic of climate change had not yet significantly breached the public consciousness.
A look back at ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ 20 years later
1 day ago Two decades after former Vice President Al Gore predicted the end of the earth, the left is stuck with another inconvenient truth: their policy prescriptions are making air travel more expensive and less accessible this summer travel season. Remember this the next time you hear another left-wing …
What the Iran conflict means for gas prices, clean energy and the climate
The U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran have sent oil and gas prices soaring. That could be a boon to cheap, clean technologies like electric vehicles, solar power and wind – at least in the long run. But in the short run, the outlook is more complicated. Major oil-producing countries reliant on the Strait of Hormuz for exports (Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration) Iran began restricting ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.
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The U.S. and Israel’s attacks on Iran have sent oil and gas prices soaring. That could be a boon to cheap, clean technologies like electric vehicles, solar power, and wind – at least in the long run. But in the short run, the outlook is more complicated. Iran began restricting ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, 2026.
O impacto da poluição por combustíveis fósseis nos oceanos traz custos enormes
Sobre nós Jornalismo Ambiental → Popular agora 1 Externo O impacto da poluição por combustíveis fósseis nos oceanos traz custos enormes 2 Colunas Se nós os parimos, por que eles nos matam?
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Despite their polar-opposite politics, California and Texas have achieved the same distinction: They’re both national leaders in producing renewable energy. Wind and solar today account for 40% of power generation in California and 30% in Texas, well above the national average of 17%. California and Texas alone account for more than one-third of the U.S.’s solar and wind power generation and over half of its battery storage capacity — shares that continue to grow.
Fossil fuel pollution’s effect on oceans comes with huge costs
Florida’s barrier reef is in trouble – and it’s costing us. Coral affected by stony coral tissue loss disease (G.Mannaerts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) The reef has been experiencing a severe outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease over the past decade. The likely cause: stress from the warming climate and acidifying waters, both the result of burning fossil fuels. The financial stake of losing the reef is high.
Fossil fuel pollution’s effect on oceans comes with huge costs » Yale Climate Connections
Florida’s barrier reef is in trouble – and it’s costing us. The reef has been experiencing a severe outbreak of stony coral tissue loss disease over the past decade. The likely cause: stress from the warming climate and acidifying waters, both the result of burning fossil fuels. The financial stake of losing the reef is high. Florida’s coral reefs are estimated to draw in over $1 billion in tourism revenue each year, provide $650 million in flood protection benefits, and support over 70,000 jobs.
After a major blow to U.S. climate regulations, what comes next? » Yale Climate Connections
The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized its rollback of the 2009 endangerment finding. That’s the report in which the agency concluded that climate pollution endangers public health and welfare and thus must be regulated under the Clean Air Act. It’s the basis of all federal climate regulations.
Where things stand on climate change in 2026 » Yale Climate Connections Original
The year that just ended saw numerous records broken on climate and clean energy. It was the second-hottest year on record at Earth’s surface, behind only 2024. The high temperatures were shocking for a year with a La Niña event. La Niñas draw cold water up to the surface of the Pacific Ocean, and hence are relatively cool years at Earth’s surface, while El Niño events have the opposite effect. 2025 was by far the hottest year with a La Niña event.
The rest of the world is lapping the US in the EV race
The electric car market is booming – just not in the United States. About one-quarter of new cars sold around the world so far in 2025 have been electric. That share is forecast to continue rising rapidly in coming years, reaching one-half in the early 2030s.
The rest of the world is lapping the U.S. in the EV race » Yale Climate Connections Original
The electric car market is booming – just not in the United States. One-quarter of new cars sold around the world so far in 2025 have been electric. That share is forecast to continue rising rapidly in coming years, reaching one-half in the early 2030s.
Five ways Joe Rogan misleads listeners about climate change
Rogan exposes millions to climate denial. Let's break down his tactics. Joe Rogan has one of the most popular podcasts on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and a combined 50 million followers on YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram. And like nearly all of today's most popular online shows, Rogan's spreads climate misinformation.
Five ways Joe Rogan misleads listeners about climate change » Yale Climate Connections
Joe Rogan has one of the most popular podcasts on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and a combined 50 million followers on YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram. And like nearly all of today’s most popular online shows, Rogan’s spreads climate misinformation. In an October episode of his podcast, Rogan interviewed two octogenarian fringe climate contrarians, Richard Lindzen and William Happer, who together have been spreading climate misinformation since at least 2012.
Fact-Checking a Trump Administration Claim About Climate Change and Crops
A recent Department of Energy report falsely states that rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere will boost agricultural yields. In fact, climate change is much more likely to make food scarcer and more expensive. A draft report commissioned by the Trump administration’s Department of Energy, or DOE, misleadingly claims that increasing levels of carbon dioxide could be beneficial for agriculture.
Fact-checking a Trump administration claim about climate change and crops
A draft report commissioned by the Trump administration's Department of Energy, or DOE, misleadingly claims that increasing levels of carbon dioxide could be beneficial for agriculture. In fact, mainstream climate experts have found that rising CO2 levels, by causing climate change, are harmful to agriculture overall - and likely to cause food prices to increase. The Trump administration's claim arose from a draft "critical review" report commissioned by DOE and written by fringe experts.
Fact-checking a Trump administration claim about climate change and crops » Yale Climate Connections
A draft report commissioned by the Trump administration’s Department of Energy, or DOE, misleadingly claims that increasing levels of carbon dioxide could be beneficial for agriculture. In fact, mainstream climate experts have found that rising CO2 levels, by causing climate change, are harmful to agriculture overall – and likely to cause food prices to increase. The Trump administration’s claim arose from a draft “critical review” report commissioned by DOE and written by fringe experts.
Climate change is accelerating, scientists find in ‘grim’ report » Yale Climate Connections
The amount of heat trapped by climate-warming pollution in our atmosphere is continuing to increase, the planet’s sea levels are rising at an accelerating rate, and the Paris agreement’s ambitious 1.5°C target is on the verge of being breached, according to a recent report by the world’s top climate scientists. “The news is grim,” said study co-author Zeke Hausfather, a former Yale Climate Connections contributor, on Bluesky.
The Republican campaign to stop the U.S. EPA from protecting the climate » Yale Climate Connections Original
In a stark juxtaposition, while nearly half of all Americans sweltered under a life-threatening extreme heat wave made several times more likely by climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency declared this week that it will roll back the agency’s 2009 determination that climate pollution endangers public health and welfare.
Trump just gave a huge gift to China’s economy
On the Fourth of July – America’s 249th birthday – President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that could very well cede the country’s position as the leading global economic superpower to China.
Trump just gave a huge gift to China’s economy » Yale Climate Connections
On the Fourth of July – America’s 249th birthday – President Donald Trump signed into law a bill that could very well cede the country’s position as the leading global economic superpower to China.
10 ways that Trump’s tax bill would undermine his energy promises » Yale Climate Connections Original
President Donald Trump has promised to reduce gas prices, improve energy security, create domestic manufacturing jobs, boost the economy, and ensure that Americans breathe the cleanest air. But by gutting the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, Congress’ big new budget bill would undermine all of these objectives – and more.
The Trump EPA tried to bury some good news » Yale Climate Connections Original
The Trump administration has taken an ostrich-like approach to climate change. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is required to publish a report about the country’s sources of climate-changing pollution each year by April 15. This year, that didn’t happen. But the completed report was recently made public as the result of a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Environmental Defense Fund.
After House passes budget resolution, it's prime time to defend the IRA
By Dana Nuccitelli, CCL Research Coordinator Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed a budget resolution, which directs all the committees in the House to either spend or cut certain amounts from their budgets for the next 10 years. The Energy & Commerce Committee, for example, was directed to cut $880 billion in spending. The question each committee now has to answer is: What spending do they cut?
Electric vehicle adoption is stumbling, but still growing amid geopolitical clashes » Yale Climate Connections
Among his Day One executive orders, President Donald Trump declared that his administration would eliminate what he called “ the ‘electric vehicle (EV) mandate,” and “promote true consumer choice” by terminating regulations and subsidies that he claimed make EVs too affordable compared to combustion-engine cars. That order could undermine efforts to decarbonize cars and trucks, which is necessary if the world is to reach net zero emissions.
Supporting the Fix Our Forests Act
By Dana Nuccitelli, CCL Research Coordinator Last month, after seeing the devastating fires in Los Angeles, CCL volunteers sent 4,509 messages (and counting!) to Congress, urging them to work in a bipartisan way to reduce wildfire risk. Democratic Rep. Scott Peters from California and Republican Rep. Bruce Westerman from Arkansas have now introduced an updated version of the Fix Our Forests Act.
Las tarifas de seguro de nadie están a salvo del cambio climático
Incluso si no ha sufrido daños directos, está pagando por un clima cada vez más extremo. – Por Dana nuccitelli Para las conexiones climáticas de Yale. Asheville, Carolina del Norte, fue una vez ampliamente considerado un refugio climático Gracias a su ubicación elevada y interior y temperaturas más frías que gran parte del sudeste. Luego vinieron las catastróficas inundaciones del huracán Helene en septiembre de 2024.
Nobody’s Insurance Rates Are Safe From Climate Change
Even if you haven’t suffered direct damage, you’re paying for increasingly extreme weather. — By Dana Nuccitelli for YALE Climate Connections. Asheville, North Carolina, was once widely considered a climate haven thanks to its elevated, inland location and cooler temperatures than much of the Southeast. Then came the catastrophic floods of Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
By Dana Nuccitelli, CCL Research Coordinator It’s a new year, with a new Congress, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is on the chopping block — and not just because President Trump signed an executive order pausing IRA funding as one of his first moves in office. The IRA is at risk because Republicans in Congress are looking for ways to pay for the extension of tax cuts they passed last time they controlled the White House and majorities in Congress, in 2017.
Nobody’s insurance rates are safe from climate change » Yale Climate Connections
Asheville, North Carolina, was once widely considered a climate haven thanks to its elevated, inland location and cooler temperatures than much of the Southeast. Then came the catastrophic floods of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. It was a stark reminder that nowhere is safe from climate-worsened extreme weather risks: Hurricanes arriving from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic seaboard. Hail in the Midwest. Floods in the East. Sea level rise along the coasts.
Climate News to Watch in 2025
Science 2024 was a mixed bag for climate change. Here’s what’s on the horizon for 2025. Much like 2023, many climate and energy records were broken in 2024. It was Earth’s hottest year on record by a wide margin, breaking the previous record that was set just last year by an even larger margin. Human-caused climate-warming pollution and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations reached new heights.
Climate news to watch in 2025 » Yale Climate Connections
Much like 2023, many climate and energy records were broken in 2024. It was Earth’s hottest year on record by a wide margin, breaking the previous record that was set just last year by an even larger margin. Human-caused climate-warming pollution and atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations reached new heights. But the record deployment of clean technology solutions in 2024 prevented emissions from rising even higher yet.
As renewables rise, the world may be nearing a climate turning point » Yale Climate Connections
Climate pollution caused by burning fossil fuels hit a record 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024, marking a 0.8% rise from the previous year – and dashing hopes that a peak in global emissions might occur this year. That’s according to the latest annual Global Carbon Budget, which underscores a deeper challenge: the world’s ongoing reliance on coal, oil, and gas, which continues to drive emissions and disrupt the climate.
Here’s how governments could fix their Paris climate commitment failures » Yale Climate Connections Original
Governments around the world face a conundrum. Virtually none are on track to meet their Paris climate commitments. That includes the United States, which committed to cut its emissions at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 but is only on track for 32-43% cuts by 2030 based on current policies.
The planet is ‘on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster,’ scientists warn » Yale Climate Connections
Earth’s climate in 2024 is “in a major crisis with worse to come if we continue with business as usual,” a team of 14 climate scientists warned in “The 2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth.” The report did not sugarcoat their view of the dangers humanity is facing. “We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster,” the report begins. “This is a global emergency beyond any doubt. Much of the very fabric of life on Earth is imperiled.
The planet is ‘on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster,’ scientists warn
Waymo Already Shot Up To 150,000 Passengers A Week! Something is going on over at Waymo. The company has just reached 150,000 trips a week for paying customers. But what’s most impressive is Waymo …
Spain warns: We are on the brink of irreversible climate disaster
The planet is ‘on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster,’ scientists warn Earth’s climate in 2024 is “in a major crisis with worse to come if we continue with business as usual,” a team of 14 climate scientists warned in “The 2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth.” The report did not sugarcoat their view of the dangers humanity is facing. “We are on the brink of an irreversible climate disaster,” the report begins. “This is a global emergency beyond any doubt.
Climate change made Hurricane Helene and other 2024 disasters more damaging, scientists find » Yale Climate Connections
Deadly Hurricane Helene, wildfires in the Amazon, an extreme monsoon downpour in India, a heat wave during the Summer Olympics, and other dangerous and devastating weather events in 2024 were all made more likely and damaging by climate change, scientists have found. Climate scientists quantified the link by running thousands of simulations in climate models, some that included and some that did not include the effects of human-caused climate pollution in the atmosphere.
The Energy Permitting Reform Act would reduce climate pollution
By Dana Nuccitelli, CCL Research Coordinator We at CCL have been advocating for Congress to implement clean energy permitting reform for nearly two years. Research has shown that if we don’t start building clean energy infrastructure faster, we will only achieve about half of the potential climate pollution reductions from the policies we’ve already passed, like the Inflation Reduction Act.
Donald Trump is wrong about the cost of wind energy » Yale Climate Connections
After decades of stable electricity prices, U.S. residents have seen their rates rise by one-third over the past four years. The fossil fuel lobby and some Republican politicians are exploiting the opportunity to falsely place the blame on clean energy sources. “We are going to get the energy prices down,” former President Donald Trump said at an August 2024 rally in Wisconsin.
How mismanagement, not wind and solar energy, causes blackouts » Yale Climate Connections
In February 2021, several severe storms swept across the United States, culminating with one that the Weather Channel unofficially named Winter Storm Uri. In Texas, Uri knocked out power to over 4.5 million homes and 10 million people. Hundreds of Texans died as a result, and the storm is estimated to have cost the state $130 billion. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, quickly sought to blame the crisis on renewable energy.
China and India are so big. Do my country's climate actions even matter? " Yale Climate Connections
At a Republican presidential debate in 2023, several candidates articulated a common sentiment about whose climate policies really matter. “If you want to go and really change the environment, then we need to start telling China and India that they have to lower their emissions,” said Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and ultimate runner-up to Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary race.
A Major Milestone: Global Climate Pollution May Have Just Peaked
Clean technology like solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps, and electric vehicles are helping the world clean up its act. Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same period in 2023.
A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked » Yale Climate Connections Original
Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same period in 2023. Many experts believe that the clean energy transition has reached the point where emissions will stabilize and then begin to decline.
How Much Will Climate Change Drag Down the Economy?
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How Much Will Climate Change Drag Down the Economy?
It’s a trillion-dollar question. When Category 5 Hurricane Otis roared through Acapulco, Mexico, in October 2023, the city was left in ruins. Winds stripped facades from beachfront buildings and storm surge flooded lobbies. The storm killed at least 50 people and damaged 80 percent of hotels in the once-glittering resort town.
A carbon price is still critical to meet America’s climate commitments
By Dana Nuccitelli, CCL Research Coordinator We at CCL have been advocating for Congress to put a price on carbon pollution for a long time. We’ve often made the case that research shows a carbon price alone or together with complementary policies would be sufficient to meet America’s climate commitments. But, things have changed.
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