Lauren Sommer

As Americans stayed home during the pandemic, cars and planes produced less heat-trapping emissions. But the effect is only temporary.

The global pandemic has led to a decline in ship traffic around the world, which means the oceans are quieter, given marine mammals a break from human activity.

This year had a relentless number of extreme wildfires and hurricanes. They were driven by climate change, and global temperatures that were among the hottest ever recorded.

2020 and 2016 are virtually tied for the hottest year on record. That means more powerful hurricanes, more intense wildfires, less ice and longer heat waves.

Many communities are locking down again due to the case surges, giving scientists more of a chance to see how that's changing the environment. They're finding it's affecting air and water quality.

Mary Nichols has been in charge of California's Air Resources Board for the past 13 years.

Homeowners are rebuilding after wildfires, but many won't be required by governments to use fire-resistant materials. Without such improvements, communities face harm again with the next fire.

Wildfires are still burning in the West at a time of year when fire activity is supposed to die down. Scientists say it's an example of how climate change is making the fire season longer.

Many homeowners who lost everything in a wildfire had no idea they were at risk. Only two states require disclosing wildfire risk to buyers in the house hunting process.

President Trump has forged a friendship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. NPR discusses what might happen to U.S.-India ties if there's a change in the White House.

More and more Americans now live in wildfire-prone landscapes and have no idea of the perils they face. Here's how to find out.

Wildfires and floods threaten tens of millions of properties in the U.S. But most Americans get little or no information about climate risks when they move.

Wildfires in California have set a new record, but some fire scientists say focusing on that number is doing more harm than good.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Wednesday that amounts to the most aggressive clean-car policy in the U.S. and would end the sale of new gas vehicles in the state in 15 years.

Many states have faced record-breaking heat this year along with drought and wildfires. Scientists say climate change makes extreme events more likely to happen at the same time.

In another record-breaking year, communities are realizing the best way to survive wildfires is learning to live with them.

Firefighting alone may never be enough to control extreme fires in the era of climate change. Acknowledging this reality, some communities are trying to remake themselves to be fire resistant.

Hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves and disease outbreaks are all a preview of our hotter future. Dramatically cutting greenhouse gas emissions would help.

Millions of home listings on Realtor.com now include information about climate change-driven flood risk. Other real estate sites are holding off.

Native American tribes are restoring traditional burning in California, which could help the state reduce the risk of extreme wildfires.