Lauren Sommer

Lauren Sommer appears in the following:

Maui's wildfire sets a deadly record

Sunday, August 13, 2023

The wildfire that tore through parts of Maui has killed at least 93 people, making it the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

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People are mobilizing to help Maui fire survivors

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Hawaii officials are mobilizing food and supplies for residents who spent days without power after massive fires devastated parts of Maui. Volunteers around the island are also chipping in.

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Wildfires continue in Maui: Thousands of displaced people will need housing

Friday, August 11, 2023

Hawaii's Gov. Josh Green says thousands of displaced people will need to be housed as firefighters continue to put out fires on Maui. The death toll stands at 55 and is expected to rise.

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After decades, a tribe's vision for a new marine sanctuary could be coming true

Thursday, August 10, 2023

The Biden administration is moving ahead with what could be the largest national marine sanctuary in the continental U.S. A Native American tribe is hoping to be partners in managing it.

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Why it's so important to figure out when a vital Atlantic Ocean current might collapse

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Scientists know a current in the Atlantic Ocean could collapse suddenly as the climate changes. The question of when matters to billions of people around the globe.

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A vital ocean current that controls weather around the globe is at risk of collapsing

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Some of the impacts from climate change can happen suddenly. New research shows that a major ocean current in the Atlantic is at risk of collapsing. That could affect weather around the globe.

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Scientists say extreme heat should inspire more aggressive action on climate change

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Extreme weather has already taken a big toll this summer around the world. So as the climate keeps changing, how much worse should we expect disasters to get? And what are the lessons for next time?

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A racist past and hotter future are testing Western water like never before

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

In Western states, the older a water claim, the more secure it is during a drought. Tribes have long been excluded from that system and now, they're pushing for change.

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Some say the century-old water rights system in the West is unfair and racist

Monday, July 10, 2023

The right to use water in Western states can be extremely valuable. Now, that century-old system is under scrutiny, with some saying it's unfair and racist.

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Global heat waves show climate change and El Niño are a bad combo

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Scientists say worsening heat waves have a clear link to climate change. This year, a seasonal El Niño pattern will also be adding fuel to the fire.

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Texas is dealing with a record-breaking heat wave. Climate experts aren't surprised

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

The extreme heat wave in Texas is only one of several worldwide in recent weeks. Scientists say the link to climate change is clear.

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This fishing gear can help save whales. What will it take for fishermen to use it?

Sunday, June 25, 2023

On both the East and West coasts, whales are at risk of being entangled and injured by ropes used by fishermen. Fishing grounds are being closed, but new technology could help avoid that.

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'Pop-up' fishing gear could help prevent whales from getting injured

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Crab and lobster fishing seasons are increasingly closing over concerns about whales. They can get entangled in the long ropes on fishing gear. Now, a new solution could help — pop up fishing gear.

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3 lessons from the Western U.S. for dealing with wildfire smoke

Friday, June 09, 2023

How bad does the air get inside your house? What should schools do about recess? Western states have grappled with all that before.

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California is still at risk of flooding. Maybe rivers just need some space

Sunday, May 28, 2023

To prevent flooding, communities often raise levees next to rivers higher and higher. Now, a new approach is about backing off, moving levees away from rivers to create floodplains.

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The latest to be evacuated from California's floods? Bunnies

Thursday, May 04, 2023

Rising rivers are stranding endangered riparian brush rabbits in California. Wildlife officials are searching out and relocating hundreds of them to help protect the species.

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Saving endangered bunnies from floods in California

Monday, May 01, 2023

A wet winter in California has helped many plants and animals, but some species are struggling. An effort is underway to relocate endangered rabbits to higher ground.

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Rabbits are rescued from floodwaters on San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge

Monday, May 01, 2023

A wet winter in California has helped many plants and animals, but some species are struggling. An effort is underway to relocate endangered rabbits to higher ground.

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Encore: Greenland's melting ice and right whales

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Climate change is causing ice caps and glaciers to disappear. One animal that the ice melt is affecting is the North Atlantic right whale.

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NPR's climate reporters on how climate change is causing ice caps to disappear

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Climate change is causing ice caps and glaciers to disappear. Reporters from NPR's Climate Desk talk about their stories connecting the dots between melting ice and our everyday lives.

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