Ensia

The headlines scream about war, crime, political strife, economic woes. But underlying it all — and more and more often bubbling to the top — is what future historians will likely look back and call the story of this century: Climate change.

Beyond Ireland’s rolling green hills and storied countryside, the nation’s marine territory spans more than 10 times its landmass. Its rocky, rugged coast borders a frigid, slate-hued ocean where kelp forests, seagrass meadows and cold-water coral reefs dwell beneath the water’s surface, providing habitat for an array of sea life. Confronted by diverse pressures, these marine ecosystems are under threat.

In order to stay below 1.5 degrees of planetary warming and limit some of the worst effects of climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recommends that the world hit net-zero emissions by 2050 — meaning that whatever greenhouse gases we still put into the air we take out in other ways, such as through forests or carbon capture.

Editor’s note: This story is part of a collaboration between Ensia and Egab, a media startup that helps young local journalists from across the Middle East and Africa get published in regional and international media outlets, with a focus on solutions journalism. When Egypt banned bird hunting in Lake Nasser last October, environmental groups celebrated.

Editor’s note: Paul Biasco first wrote about the Lake Texcoco Ecological Park for Ensia in early 2020. Here, the author revisits the park as it’s set to open to provide an update on the progress. It’s unusually dry in this former lake bed in the Valley of Mexico. It hasn’t rained in weeks, and typically temperate Mexico City is in the midst of a heat wave. Residents are planning for a “day zero” situation, with water shortages impacting nearly every part of the city.

How can communities prepare for the adverse conditions that climate change is bringing our way? A recent report from the Regional Plan Association, a nonprofit research organization working to enhance quality of life in the New York City area, has taken a whack at answering that question.

A comprehensive report on food waste published in March by the United Nations Environment Programme shares some sobering statistics: In 2022, people around the world wasted the equivalent of more than 1 billion meals each day. But the key take-home message is a far more encouraging one.

Editor’s note: This story is part of a collaboration between Ensia and Egab exploring environmental efforts by communities facing potentially more urgent concerns such as war and poverty. Egab is a media startup that helps young local journalists from across the Middle East and Africa get published in regional and international media outlets, with a focus on solutions journalism. You can read the other stories in the series here, here and here.

A proposed state constitutional amendment introduced in the Michigan House in April  would put the right to clean air, water, soil and a stable climate on par with other fundamental liberties like the freedoms of speech and religion. The Michigan Green Amendment, introduced by Rep.

Take Action Smarten your thermostat. Programmable thermostats can cut heating and cooling costs by ensuring you never unnecessarily heat or cool your home when it’s empty or when you’re sleeping. Avoid over air-conditioning. Use windows, shade trees and attic fans to beat the heat when possible. Consider replacing older, inefficient air conditioning units with more effective and environmentally friendly alternatives such as a heat pump. Sweat the small stuff.