Monarch butterflies could soon be added to the threatened species list. U.S. wildlife officials announced Tuesday, Dec. 10, they’re planning to extend federal protections to the beloved pollinators after years of warnings that the population is shrinking, and the species may not survive climate change. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said it plans to…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made enhancements to its regulatory enforcement actions in 2024. In its year-end report, the agency announced it had doled out record penalties and issued the first-ever arrest for a climate change-related crime. In 2024, the EPA said it resolved over 1,850 civil cases, a 3.4% increase from 2023, and charged…

The Arctic is shifting from a region of international cooperation to a battleground for global power. China is expanding its presence, pursuing influence in Arctic governance and tapping into economic opportunities created by climate change. Its growing partnership with Russia—spanning trade, science and military cooperation—is reshaping regional dynamics. The Pentagon warned that this unprecedented collaboration…

Driverless taxis are ready to hit the streets of Florida’s second-largest city. Waymo announced it will expand its services to Miami, offering transportation to riders starting in 2026. A Waymo spokesperson said the company has been testing the vehicles’ driving performance since 2019. The service has run different trials through Miami’s wet and rainy climate,…

A North Carolina town is suing utility giant Duke Energy, accusing the company of deceiving the public on climate change. It is the first U.S. lawsuit seeking climate accountability from an electric company. The town of Carrboro announced Wednesday, Dec. 4, that it had filed the lawsuit. They argue the company’s actions led to a…

Workers at nine Volkswagen factories across Germany brought assembly lines to a halt on Monday, Dec. 2, as they launched rolling two-hour strikes. The autoworkers are protesting pay cuts and proposed factory closures the automaker claims are necessary to make up for slumping sales in Europe. Volkswagen reportedly wants 120,000 German workers to take a…

The U.S. Army will have a new commander for Europe and Africa after Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., dropped his hold on Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue’s nomination. Mullin objected to Donahue due to his role in Afghanistan. The Senate approved the general’s promotion from three to four stars Monday, Dec. 2. The hold lasted about 10…

California lawmakers are meeting Monday, Dec. 2 for a special session with Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom set to propose a so-called “Trump-proof” legal defense fund. Newsom is trying to protect his state’s progressive policies. He called for the special session just days after President-elect Donald Trump won a second term. The proposed $25 million…

The United Nations’ top court is hearing its biggest case ever. Monday, Dec. 2, marked the start of two weeks of hearings over what countries worldwide legally must do to help fight climate change and help vulnerable nations fight its impacts. The hearings come after island nations, in fear of being wiped off the map…

Scientists analyzing 200-million-year-old fossilized feces and vomit have uncovered new insights into how dinosaurs became Earth’s dominant species. The study, published in Nature, highlights the role of adaptability and diet in their evolutionary success.   More than 500 samples of bromalites, or fossilized digestive remnants, were excavated from Poland’s ancient Polish Basin. Experts said the fossils…