Climate in Crisis

Toyota shareholders reject proposal demanding better performance on climate change

TOYOTA, Japan (AP) — Toyota executives fielded challenges and reaped praise from investors at an annual general meeting Wednesday where shareholders ultimately rejected demands the automaker do better on fighting climate change.

By YURI KAGEYAMA, AP Business Writer

Study: Climate change could make your next flight more bumpy

A recent study shows clear-air turbulence is 55% more frequent today than it was in 1979. Scientists say climate change is to blame.

More bumpy flights: Researchers say climate change is increasing turbulence

A recent study shows clear-air turbulence is 55% more frequent today than it was in 1979. Scientists say climate change is to blame.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

How wildfires have worsened in recent years

Wildfires are innate to forest ecosystems, clearing out dead debris and paving the way for new growth, but climate change has elongated dry seasons, increased temperatures, and widened the potential for large-scale wildfires.

Emma Rubin, Emilia Ruzicka

More companies setting 'net-zero' climate targets, but few have credible plans, report says

BONN, Germany (AP) -- A growing number of companies are pledging to cut their greenhouse gas emissions to " net zero " as part of global efforts to tackle climate change, but that goal is rarely supported by a credible plan, according to a report published Monday.

By FRANK JORDANS, Associated Press

We could be headed for heat catastrophes - here's how to prepare

If you live in a city that could overheat, it would be great if you could plan ahead to protect yourself and your family. What are your options? Let’s look at several examples.

Report: Few big companies are making progress in limiting global warming

The vast majority of the world’s biggest companies have done almost nothing in the past five years to cut their planet-heating pollution enough to avoid catastrophic climate change, according to a new report.

Smoke, poor visibility force RDU flight delays and cancellations

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has forced a ground stop at LaGuardia and Newark International Airports Wednesday.

Eric Miller, WRAL reporter

Smoke from Canadian forests fires affecting RDU flights

Smoke from Canadian wildfires has forced a ground stop at LaGuardia and Newark International Airports Wednesday, delaying travel for hundreds in or out of the New York Area.

Wildfires and smoke waves fueled by climate change likely to become more frequent

Wildfires in Canada have been raging on for more than a month, burning through swaths of land that amount to more than 5 million football fields. Canada's fire activity this year is near historic levels, fueled dry weather, wind, and extreme heat.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Climate change fueling more wildfires

In the east, we are seeing changes in conditions that can make dangerous fires more likely. According to climate central, most of north Carolina has seen an increase in high-risk days in recent decades.

Oxford company aims to cut carbon by using grass to build homes

Plantd, a climate tech company, is developing a manufacturing facility in Oxford to create plywood-like panels made from perennial grasses grown by local farmers. The company's co-founders say the carbon-negative materials could have a big impact on the high-emission construction industry.

Liz McLauglin, WRAL climate change reporter

Summer is here: RDU averages higher temps, under risk of stronger hurricanes

June 1 is the start of meteorological summer - and trends show every summer those temperatures getting hotter and hotter.

WRAL Staff

Smattering of controversial bills advance in busy day at NC General Assembly

A handful of controversial bills -- including measures that could change the structure of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, governance of Nash County schools and prohibiting bans on certain kitchen appliances -- advanced in the state legislature Wednesday. Here's a roundup.

Will Doran and Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporters

Climate shocks are making parts of America uninsurable

The climate crisis is becoming a financial crisis.

Christopher Flavelle, Jill Cowan and Ivan Penn, New York Times

Durham company creates unit to destroy PFAS

Utilizing a method pioneered a decade ago at Duke University, Durham-based company 374Water has created the first commercial unit to destroy PFAS and other contaminants in wastewater, such as microplastics, bacteria and viruses.

Durham company creates unit that can destroy PFAS, other contaminants from water

Utilizing a method that was pioneered a decade ago at Duke University, Durham-based company 374Water has created the first commercial unit to destroy PFAS and other contaminants in wastewater, such as microplastics, bacteria and viruses.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL climate change reporter

State poll: Voters across party lines support energy competition and choice

A new statewide poll by the non-profit Conservatives for Clean Energy finds the majority of Republicans, Democrats, and unaffiliated voters across the state support more competition and consumer choice in their energy providers.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

MIKE WOODARD: Carbon capture initiatives are key to achieving climate goals

Thursday, May 25, 2023 -- Carbon capture and storage initiatives have been a hopeful solution to move us towards environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. We can keep the planet safe and healthy while preserving jobs and economic growth.

Climate change is moving hurricane risks farther inland

As hurricane season approaches, researchers warn the risk of flooding and severe weather are moving farther inland.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

Step inside a virtual storm to see how central NC hurricane risks are changing

Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1, but you don't have to be on the coast to be in the path of dangerous winds and flooding.

Climate hope: Fusion dream moving closer to reality as clean power source

Fusion power would be a huge breakthrough for humanity is because hydrogen is abundant, fusion power would not be intermittent like solar and wind, and fusion does not pollute the environment. Fusion does not produce carbon dioxide like coal and does not have the large “nuclear waste” problem that our existing nuclear power plants have. The hurdle with fusion has always been the technical difficulty, but advances are being made.

Protesters gather outside of Enviva HQ to push back against pollution

Protesters gathered in front of Enviva headquarters in Raleigh to push back against the world's largest wood pellet production company for controversial renewable energy generation and pollution from plants in four North Carolina counties.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

'We regret we didn't start it sooner': Solarize the Triangle helping residents switch to solar power

The program, which started in April, aims to make solar energy more affordable for residents in the Triad.

Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

Residents want affordable solar energy for their homes

Residents in the Triangle want to turn to solar energy but are concerned about how affordable it is. But a coalition of cities, towns and counties are discussing ways to make solar energy more affordable.