Climate News Archive

Dig into these past articles for climate news, resources, and innovations!

For the most recent stories and articles, visit the Climate Champions and News page!

IN A TOWN SHAPED BY WATER, THE RIVER IS WINNING
CityLab - May 24, 2019

Many communities are facing an increase in extreme weather events and flooding due to the climate crisis. Located near multiple waterways, Milwaukie could be one of them in the future. In this CityLab article by Linda Poon, learn how one small community is getting hit hard by flood waters and working to adapt to the changing climate.

https://www.citylab.com/environment/2019/05/ellicott-city-flood-control-...(link is external)

WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE BIODIVERSITY CRISIS? LOOK AT THE TREES IN YOUR BACKYARD.
The Washington Post - May 23, 2019

Trees are essential to a diverse and functional ecosystem - and right now, they're under attack. Learn more in this Washington Post article by Gabriel Popkin:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/05/23/want-understand-biodiv...

WE HAVE TOO MANY FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS TO MEET CLIMATE GOALS
National Geographic - July 1, 2019

How do we look forward in climate action while supporting fossil-fuel power plants? And what would happen if we didn't build more fossil-fuel infrastructure? Stephen Leahy reports on scientists that did the math on fossil-fuel dependency in this National Geographic article.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/07/we-have-too-many-...

NISSAN SAYS ITS LEAF BATTERIES WILL OUTLAST THE CAR BY 10-12 YEARS, LOOKS FOR REUSE SOLUTIONS
Electrek - May 24, 2019

As the world shifts to electrified transportation, we'll need to find new uses for batteries in the market. Learn how Nissan and other companies exploring electric vehicles are looking to expand the car battery's use, including streetlights, grid storage, and more, in this article by Phil Dzikiy from Electrik.

https://electrek.co/2019/05/24/nissan-leaf-batteries-outlast-car/

HOW MUCH ICE HAS GREENLAND LOST? 
The Atlantic - April 23, 2019

Greenland's landscape is melting. Learn how much ice has been lost already and what impacts it will have on the rest of the world in this Atlantic article by Robinson Meyer.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/04/how-much-ice-has-gre...

ONE THING YOU CAN DO: KEEP YOUR OLD GADGETS OUT OF THE TRASH
The New York Times - April 3, 2019

Still have your old Nokia brick phone? Don't throw it in the bin! Learn the perks of refurbishing, selling, or recycling your obsolete technology in this Climate Forward article by Eduardo Garcia John Schwartz:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/climate/nyt-climate-fwd-newsletter.html

COUNTIES WITH MORE TREES AND SHRUBS SPEND LESS MONEY ON MEDICARE, STUDIES FIND
Illinois News Bureau - April 1, 2019

Trees have proven health benefits, improving air quality and mental health. Research now finds they have financial health benefits as well! Learn how trees decrease insurance costs in this article by Diana Yates:

https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/769404

THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO CURB CLIMATE CHANGE MIGHT SURPRISE YOU
CNN - April 19, 2019

Think you know the easiest way to cut carbon in combat climate change? Take this quiz to test your knowledge, and learn simple changes to make to meet community climate goals!

https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2019/04/specials/climate-change-solution...

THE PROBLEM WITH PUTTING A PRICE ON THE END OF THE WORLD
The New York Times Magazine - April 9, 2019

Why is a carbon tax so popular or unpopular? Author David Leonhardt breaks down the political and economic challenges for a nation-wide carbon tax in this New York Times Magazine article.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/09/magazine/climate-change-p...

IT'S 2050 AND THIS IS HOW WE STOPPED CLIMATE CHANGE
NPR - March 11, 2019

Imagine the ultimate success - stopping climate change in its tracks. What would that even look like, and how do we get there? Dive into a world of climate action in this NPR article.

Read it at: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/03/11/688876374/its-2050-...

GET OFF MY LAWN: HOW A SMALL GROUP OF ACTIVISTS (OUR CORRESPONDENT AMONG THEM) GOT LEAF BLOWERS BANNED IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL
The Atlantic - April 2019

Loud, obnoxious, and gassy, cities are cracking down on leaf blowers as a way to curb noise and air pollution. Read how author James Fallows worked to regulate leaf blowers in his city, and learn how this machinery has a big impact on the environment.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/04/james-fallows-leaf-...

THE ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME MAKEOVER
NRDC - October 31, 2017

Easy. Simple. Cost-effective. Learn how a few tricks in the home can cut costs and save carbon.

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/energy-efficient-home-makeover

HOW TO FOLLOW MARIE KONDO’S METHOD, SUSTAINABLY
The New York Times - February 27, 2019

Does climate action spark joy for you? It does for us! In this article the New York Times shares how to Marie Kondo your way to a more sustainable home and lifestyle.

Read it at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/27/climate/marie-kondo-recycling.html (link is external)

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF DISAPPEARING ELECTRICITY DEMAND
International Energy Agency - February 14, 2019

As technology spreads through society, electricity demands should go up, right? Some data is showing a different picture of increased energy efficiency in advanced economies. Read this commentary with informational graphics to better understand how some communities are changing from the historical energy demand curve.

Find it at: https://www.iea.org/newsroom/news/2019/february/the-mysterious-case-of-d...(link is external)

FIVE CARBON CAPTURE TECHNIQUES THAT COULD HELP MITIGATE GLOBAL WARMING
Bloomberg Business Week - February 25, 2019

While the solution to climate change is not carbon capturing (or sequestration), these demo-ready projects and innovative technologies could help us meet our carbon goals and mitigate the impacts of our emissions.

Take a look at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-25/five-carbon-capture-t...(link is external)

HOW MUCH HOTTER IS YOUR HOMETOWN THAN WHEN YOU WERE BORN?
The New York Times

Milwaukie and the Pacific Northwest will be sheltered from the most severe climate impacts of climate change. But can we already see changes? See how Milwaukie’s current climate compares to the past in this interactive tool by The New York Times.

Click here to see the tool: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/08/30/climate/how-much-hotter-i...(link is external)​

METRO MAYORS ENDORSE CAP ON GREENHOUSE GASES
Pamplin Media Group - January 29, 2019

Milwaukie's own Mayor Gamba  spoke on behalf of the Metropolitan Mayors Consortium to push for legislation and strengthened climate goals in the face of upcoming climate change. Mayor Gamba discusses climate change concerns on the city-scale, mentioning Milwaukie's record rainfall as examples of weathers impact on City infrastructure. 

Read more at: https://pamplinmedia.com/cr/24-news/418499-321942-metro-mayors-endorse-c...

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN OSLO DECIDED TO MAKE ITS DOWNTOWN BASICALLY CAR FREE?
Fast Company - January 24,2019

What happens when there are no more parking spots? More pedestrian spots!

Oslo, Norway, removed more than 700 parking spots in their downtown area, and replaced them with bike paths, benches, parks, and pedestrian areas. The reduction in parking led to less cars driving through the area, less pollution, and more pedestrian-friendly streets. Think of the carbon emission reduction possibilities!

Read how the people of Oslo took back their streets at: https://www.fastcompany.com/90294948/what-happened-when-oslo-decided-to-...

CLIMATE CHANGE'S GIANT IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY: 4 KEY ISSUES
The New York Times - January 17, 2019

Climate Change will be expensive! From agriculture to social impacts, the costs will only add up as our historical climates change. In this NY Times articles, Neil Irwin crunches the numbers to show us how not changing our behavior now will add up in the future.

You can find the article at: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/upshot/how-to-think-about-the-costs-o...

NET-ZERO ENERGY HOMES PAY OFF FASTER THAN YOU THINK - EVEN IN CHILLY MIDWEST
Inside Climate News - December 10, 2018

Being energy efficient saves you money, and renewable are only getting cheaper. Some homes are using these tactics to reduce their net emissions down to zero - even in cold weather areas with high heat costs! Some homes are seeing energy improvements paying for themselves over time, and developers are noticing.

Read more about net-zero homes in this article at: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/10122018/net-zero-energy-efficiency-h...

FOURTH NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT RELEASED
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - November 23, 2018

The Trump Administration released a new National Climate Assessment Report the Friday after Thanksgiving day. This is the fourth report released following the requirements of the Global Change Research Act of 1990. The National Climate Assessment details the impacts that climate change will have on the United States, including the widespread effects on regional and Indigenous communities, the economy, agriculture, and the environment.

To read the full National Climate Assessment Report and access the summary findings, visit: https://nca2018.globalchange.gov

CLIMATE CHANGE: WHERE WE ARE IN SEVEN CHARTS AND HOW WE CAN HELP
BBC - December 2, 2018

Looking for a quick data overview of climate change in 2018? Look no further! With data-packed animations and infographs, this BBC article will prepare you for any climate discussions you'll have in the new year.

To read 'Climate Change: Where we are in seven charts and how we can help', visit: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-46384067?fbclid=IwAR38HM1ya.

A CITY’S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN: INTERVIEW WITH MILWAUKIE MAYOR GAMBA
Climate Solutions - October 16, 2018

What does Milwaukie's Mayor Gamba think about climate change? Mayor Gamba discusses the Climate Action Plan, the new Ledding Library, and Milwaukie's future goals in this climate-focused interview by Mara Gross from Climate Solutions.

Find the interview at: https://www.climatesolutions.org/article/1539718477-milwaukie-climate-ac...

‘LIKE A TERROR MOVIE’: HOW CLIMATE CHANGE WILL CAUSE MORE SIMULTANEOUS DISASTERS
The New York Times - November 19, 2018

Are you noticing an increase in natural disasters featured in the news? You're not alone! Learn about how climate change influences natural disasters in this New York Times article by John Schwartz.

Find it at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/19/climate/climate-disasters.html